Slovakia’s most visually striking national park, the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry), was ranged as Best in Europe 2019 by Lonely Planet. With twenty-five peaks reach higher than 2500m it is one of the rare pockets of Europe outside the Alps to retain alpine characteristics. The tallest mountains – like Gerlachovský štít (2654m) – attract the most hikers, revealing Slovakia as a nation of adventurers. You won't be alone tramping between the High Tatras' waterfalls, alpine meadows and more than 100 ultramarine lakes. In winter, snow transforms hiking trails into ski areas, mostly small and family-friendly.

The country's oldest national park together with an adjoining protected area across the border in Poland, form a Unesco-protected biosphere reserve inhabited by brown bears, chamois and golden eagles.