The Protected Landscape Area of Vihorlat

Vihorlat was designated a Protected Landscape Area on 28. 12. 1973, later on 19. 4. 1999 the surface area was modified. Presently its area is 17 485.24 ha. It lies in the Michalovce, Sobrance, Humenné and Snina districts. It is located in the following areas: Jovsa, Poruba pod Vihorlatom, Remetské Hámre, Hlivištia, Choňkovce, Podhoroď, Ruská Bystrá, Vyšná Rybnica, Hrabová Roztoka, Strihovec, Kolonica, Ladomírov, Stakčín, Snina, Zemplínske Hámre and Valaškovce. The area is mainly covered in beech trees.

Despite not being a high area in its altitude, Vihorlat is an impressive volcanic mountain range. It looms high over the spacious East-Slovak lowland/Východoslovenská nížina and its highest peaks exceed an altitude of 1000 metres. It is one of the mountain ranges with the highest number of trees in Slovakia, mainly deciduous and beech forests. Its geographic location and geological evolution encouraged the formation of unique natural features such as the Sea eye lake/Morské oko, Snina stone/Sninský kameň and the combined presence of plant species from west-carpathian, east-carpathian and panonian flora. Some protected species such as the Spring snowflake (Levcojum vernum carpathicum), Aconite (aconitum lasiocarpium), etc. can be found here. The most common plant Telekia preciosa is protected by law. In the northern part of the Vihorlat we can see Soldanella (soldanella carpathica), while in the eastern part there are only thermophilic species. In total there are 35 species of protected plants. The influence of the East-Slovak lowland and the East Carpathian mountain is seen in the composition of the animal kingdom in Vihorlat. There are more than 2000 species of invertebrates. Some examples of vertebrates are the Carpathian newt (Triturus montandoni) Alpine newt (Triturus montandoni), Aesculapian snake (Elaphe longissima), as well as almost 100 species of nesting birds, for example the Black stork (Ciconia nigra), Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) and Short-toed snake-eagle (Circaetus Gallicus).

The Vihorlat Protected Landscape Area is located in the easternmost part of Slovakia. The Vihorlat hills/Vihorlatské vrchy are on the north of the Bukovec hills/Bukovských vrchov and Laborec uplands/Laboreckej vrchoviny divided by the Beskydy foothills/Beskydské predhorie. On the west and south are its borders with the East-Slovak downs/Východoslovenská pahorkatina.

The land resources are cultivated by some companies in Sobrance, Humenné, the Military woods/Vojenské lesy and the property is managed by representatives of the Kamenica nad Cirochou village. The land is important for many reasons. One of them is that it is one of the main sources of water. This function is carried out by deciduous forests mainly beech, oak tree and maple trees. From a scientific point of view, this area is important for its fauna, flora, geologic, petrographic and silvicultural potential. It represents an almost untouched area for scientific research. 

The travel industry is very important. The area offers its visitors unusual beauties and various treasures. One of the most popular and visited places of this protected landscape area is the Sea eye lake/Morské oko with the same called lake. The lake lies 618 m above sea level, its surface area is 13.8 ha and its maximum depth is 25.10 m. Thanks to its origin and beautiful appearance it belongs among the gems not only of this area but also of Slovakia. Above the lake Sea eye lake/Morské oko, on its northern side there is a second treasure of this area - the protected nature landmark of the Snina stone/Sninský kameň (1 005 m above sea level). Its visual beauty as well as the variety of flora deserves our attention. On its southern side we can find many species of exothermal flora, on its northern side there is are examples of mountain beechwood flora. In the northern part of the Protected Landscape Area, near Snina, are the Snina lakes/Sninské rýbníky, which are a centre where it is possible to swim, relax....or do any sports.

Visitors to the Vihorlat Protected Landscape Area are welcome to use the educational path called Morské oko, Sninský kameň and Sninské rybníky (open since 1984). The path is 1 km long and hikers have a chance to learn more about the history and unique character of this area. Close to Vihorlat is Zemplínska šírava (a lake), where about one million people relax each summer.

The Protected Landscape Area Vihorlat was of great importance in the past mainly from a mining and metallurgical point of view. Iron ore was found in the Snina rock in 1819 and it was being extracted in this area as well. There is a lot of dirt bed here, which can still be found on the foot trails. Later, the mining process was in progress on the Mochnat hill/Mochnatský vrch near Remetské Hámre village. The necessary admixture for iron production was acquired nearby at Morské oko.

The ironworks in Remetské Hámre were established in the first half of the 19th century. The most important expansion was after 1864, when rolling mills, ironworks and an agriculture tool factory were built. Iron wheels, discs, cook stoves, boilers and different agriculture tools were produced there. The factory existed till 1922 when it burnt down.

The Protected Landscape Area of Vihorlat includes national landscape areas such as Podstavka, Motrogon, Vihorlat, Morské oko, landscape reservations such as Ďurova mláka, Roztoky and nature landmarks such as Sninský kameň and Čierny potok.

Historic landmarks

The Snina stone

This historic landmark is part of an area of the most beautiful natural rock formations in the whole territory of the Vihorlat mountain range. It covers an area of 5.59 ha including a ledge of 1.62 ha. It is situated 1005 m above sea level. Its cliffs are 15 – 20 m high and 300 m long. They originate from lava flows and their age is 10.4 to 0.5 mil years. They have the rock ledges, which offers a beautiful view over the surrounding area and nearby villages. The cliffs are climbable by iron ladders with a handrail. This path is a part of the educational path Sea eye lake/Morské oko – Snina stone/Sninský kameň – Snina ponds/Sninské rybníky.

Zemplínske Hámre – Sninský kameň (4 km: 1 hour, 30 minutes)