Geosites in Orava, Liptov and Spiš (N Slovakia) – Evaluation, Accessibility and Geotouristic Potential

Quaestiones Geographicae

Volume 44 (2025): Issue 3 (September 2025)

By:

Anna Chrobak-Žuffová

, Ján Novotný

and Daniel Michniak

Open Access

|Aug 2025

Figures & Tables

Location of Sub-Tatra region (based on the administrative map of Slovakia available online at www.geoportal.sk).

The physical-geographical mesoregions of the study area (based on Urbánek et al. 2009 and Balon et al. 2015).

The geology of the studied area (based on the geological map of lexa et al. 2000).

Hydrology of the study area (based on the hydrological map of Turbek (1980), the hydrogeological maps of Chowaniec and Witek (1997a, b), Skąpski and Garbacz (1997), Małecka et al. (2002a, b), and the map of the hydrographic division of Poland available online at www.kzgw.gov.pl.

Expert assessment agreement level. A – Agreement level within each evaluation category. B – Agreement level for the different types of geosites. REGION – The uniqueness of the site in relation to the Sub-Tatra region, DEGRADATION – The degree of degradation (destruction) of the site, REPRESENT – The representativeness of geological, hydrogeological, hydrological and relief-forming processes and their educational value, DIVERSITY – The degree of landscape diversity, OTHER – Other features related to abiotic nature in the immediate vicinity of the site, SCIENCE – The scientific value of the site expressed in scientific publications, SlOVAKIA – The uniqueness of the site compared to other similar sites in Slovakia.

Point values of elements valorising geosites_

E	Cognitive – Educational criteria
U	The uniqueness of the site in relation to the Sub-Tatra region
0	More than five examples of similar geosites in the region
2.5	Three to five examples of similar geosites in the region
5	Two to three examples of similar geosites in the region
7.5	Geosite is very special
10	The only such geosite in the region
Z	Degree of degradation (destruction) of the site
0	The site is damaged by human activity
2.5	The site is destroyed due to natural processes
5	The site is damaged, but has retained its basic geological and geomorphological features
7.5	The site is slightly damaged but still retains important geological and geomorphological features
10	The site is not damaged
R	Representativeness of geological, hydrogeological, hydrological and geomorphological processes and their educational value
0	Low representativeness and lack of educational value
3.3	Medium representativeness and low educational value
6.7	Geosite is a good example of natural processes, but recognition and interpretation are difficult for non-scientists
10	Geosite is a good example of natural processes and has a high educational value
Zk	Degree of landscape diversity
0	Lack of diversity (1 type of geomorphological process that forms the landscape)
3.3	Low diversity (2 types of geomorphological processes that form the landscape)
6.7	Average diversity (3 types of geomorphological processes that form the landscape)
10	High diversity (4 or more types of geomorphological processes that form the landscape)
Wg	Other features related to abiotic nature within the site and in its immediate vicinity
0	No other elements
3.3	Other elements of inanimate nature, but not related to geographical location
6.7	Other elements of inanimate nature related to geosite
10	Occurrence of other geosites within 2 km
L	Scientific value of geosite as expressed in scientific literature
0	There is no scientific literature describing this geosite
5	Geosite described in the national scientific literature
10	Geosite described in the international scientific literature
SK	Uniqueness of the geosite in comparison with other similar sites in Slovakia
0	More than five examples of similar geosites
3.3	Three to five examples of similar geosites
6.7	Two examples of similar geosites
10	There are no similar geosites
T	Tourist criteria
W	Scenic values
0	Difficult observation of the object or the object is not visible at all
2	The object can only be observed using special equipment
4	Visibility is limited by trees or lower vegetation
6	Good visibility, but you have to move around for full observation
8	Good visibility for all elements (partially grass-covered object)
10	Perfect visibility for all components
Pw	Visibility range
0	No view
2.5	Limited view with a range of 90°
5	Semi-circular view with 180°
7.5	View to three sides (270°)
10	Unlimited circular view (360°)
D	Object accessibility
0	Difficult to access object; only with the use of special equipment
2	Accessible on foot; parking more than 2000 m away
4	Object is accessible by car and/or bicycle; parking more than 1000 m away
6	Object is accessible by car and/or bicycle; parking at a distance of 500–1000 m
8	Object is accessible by car and/or bicycle; parking within 500 m
10	The object is accessible by car and local means of transport; bus stop within 500 m, parking within 100 m
Ot	Current form of accessibility as a tourist attraction
0	The site is not known in tourist literature, is not a tourist attraction and is not promoted
3.3	The site is known in tourist literature, but it is not used as a tourist attraction or promoted
6.7	The site is known in tourist literature, it is promoted, but it is not used as a tourist attraction
10	The site is well known in tourist literature, it is promoted and used as a tourist attraction
O	Legal status of geosite protection
0	Strict security measures, no access to the object
3.3	Partial protection with precise instructions for object accessibility
6.7	No protection with full access to the object
10	Partial protection without additional restrictions related to the accessibility of the object
Ud	Facilities and additional services (gastronomy, souvenir shops)
0	Accommodation and additional services more than 5 km away
2.5	Accommodation and additional services 2–5 km
5	Accommodation and additional services 500 m to 2 km
7.5	Accommodation and additional services between 100 m and 500 m
10	Accommodation and additional services within 100 m
It	Presence of other tourist attractions
0	There are no other tourist attractions within a radius of more than 5 km
2.5	The nearest tourist attraction is 2–5 km away
5	The nearest tourist attraction is 500 m to 2 km away
7.5	The nearest tourist attraction is 100-500 m away
10	The nearest tourist attraction is less than 100 m away

Final assessment of geosites_

No.	Name of the geosite	Average	Warszyńska indicatior	Group	Sum	Warszyńska indicator	Group	Total Assessment	Warszyńska indicator	Group
10	Oravské hradné bralo	59.43	0.85	I	60.20	0.86	I	59.66	0.85	I
38	Dreveník	61.93	0.88	I	41.50	0.59	II	55.80	0.80	I
40	Strednica	54.43	0.78	I	54.20	0.77	I	54.36	0.78	I
37	Spišský hradný vrch	54.97	0.79	I	51.00	0.73	I	53.78	0.77	I
7	Červená skala	54.47	0.78	I	44.90	0.64	II	51.60	0.74	I
44	Ružbašské travertíny	53.63	0.77	I	45.50	0.65	II	51.19	0.73	I
33	Gánovské travertíny	52.23	0.75	I	40.00	0.57	II	48.56	0.69	II
36	Sivá brada	46.13	0.66	II	43.00	0.61	II	45.19	0.65	II
11	Pucovské zlepence	51.13	0.73	I	29.30	0.42	II	44.58	0.64	II
4	Oravská priehrada	45.00	0.64	II	42.20	0.60	II	44.16	0.63	II
19	Lúčanský vodopád	40.33	0.58	II	48.30	0.69	II	42.72	0.61	II
42	Jezersko	44.20	0.63	II	37.20	0.53	II	42.10	0.60	II
43	Smrtná	45.60	0.65	II	32.80	0.47	II	41.76	0.60	II
34	Gánovské slaniská	46.10	0.66	II	28.20	0.40	II	40.73	0.58	II
26	Velínok	37.80	0.54	II	40.50	0.58	II	38.61	0.55	II
20	Bešeňovské travertíny	40.87	0.58	II	31.20	0.45	II	37.97	0.54	II
12	Ostrá skala a Tupá skala	41.67	0.60	II	29.20	0.42	II	37.93	0.54	II
9	Biela skala	37.80	0.54	II	37.70	0.54	II	37.77	0.54	II
17	Veľký Choč	36.37	0.52	II	40.30	0.58	II	37.55	0.54	II
1	Rašelinisko Przybojec/Rudné	45.07	0.64	II	18.80	0.27	III	37.19	0.53	II
16	Prosiecka dolina	34.73	0.50	II	42.80	0.61	II	37.15	0.53	II
15	Kvačianska dolina	35.83	0.51	II	39.80	0.57	II	37.02	0.53	II
31	Kvetnica	39.70	0.57	II	30.20	0.43	II	36.85	0.53	II
27	Ústie Belej do Váhu	39.17	0.56	II	31.20	0.45	II	36.78	0.53	II
39	Kežmarské vrstvy	35.80	0.51	II	35.20	0.50	II	35.62	0.51	II
18	Lúčanské travertíny	33.63	0.48	II	37.70	0.54	II	34.85	0.50	II
41	Bachledova dolina	33.87	0.48	II	35.20	0.50	II	34.27	0.49	II
28	Liptovský Hrádok	26.93	0.38	III	50.20	0.72	I	33.91	0.48	II
2	Výhľad na Oravskú kotlinu a Tatry	31.13	0.44	II	38.70	0.55	II	33.40	0.48	II
29	Vavrišovo	34.47	0.49	II	30.70	0.44	II	33.34	0.48	II
8	Františkova huta	29.17	0.42	II	42.70	0.61	II	33.23	0.47	II
21	Liptovská Mara	26.37	0.38	III	48.20	0.69	II	32.92	0.47	II
25	Termálny prameň Kad’a	24.20	0.35	III	51.30	0.73	I	32.33	0.46	II
22	Liskovská jaskyňa	35.03	0.50	II	24.00	0.34	III	31.72	0.45	II
3	Čimhovské vrstvy	32.50	0.46	II	28.70	0.41	II	31.36	0.45	II
35	Minerálny prameň Ondrej	33.60	0.48	II	26.00	0.37	III	31.32	0.45	II
24	Sliačske travertíny	28.87	0.41	II	31.80	0.45	II	29.75	0.42	II
14	Hutianske súvrstvie	25.80	0.37	III	35.20	0.50	II	28.62	0.41	II
32	Výhľad na Kozie chrbty	28.87	0.41	II	24.70	0.35	III	27.62	0.39	III
5	Halečková	20.87	0.30	III	35.70	0.51	II	25.32	0.36	III
6	Oravice	18.60	0.27	III	40.20	0.57	II	25.08	0.36	III
30	Hybická tiesňava	29.20	0.42	II	11.00	0.16	IV	23.74	0.34	III
23	Skalná (Jánošíkova) päsť	19.73	0.28	III	26.00	0.37	III	21.61	0.31	III
13	Jasenová	10.53	0.15	IV	37.20	0.53	II	18.53	0.26	III

Geosite classification based on the results of the valorisation_

Group	Point value	Definition
I	>0.7	Object with special cognitive, educational/tourist values
II	0.4–0.7	Object of high cognitive, educational/tourist value
III	0.2–0.4	Object of average cognitive, educational/tourist value
IV	<0.2	Object of low cognitive, educational/tourist value

Assessment of geosites in terms of tourist criteria_

No.	Name of the geosite	Scenic values	Width of the viewing angle from the point of view	Accessibility of the site	Current form of accessibility as a tourist attraction	Legal protection status of geosite	Equipment and additional services (gastronomy, souvenir shops)	Presence of other tourist attractions	Sum	Warszyńska indicator	Group
10	Oravské hradné bralo outcrop	8	10.0	8	10.0	6.7	7.5	10.0	60.2	0.86	I
40	Strednica viewpoint	10	2.5	10	10.0	6.7	5.0	10.0	54.2	0.77	I
25	Termálny prameň Kad’a spring	8	2.5	10	10.0	3.3	7.5	10.0	51.3	0.73	I
37	Spišský hradný vrch outcrop	8	10.0	8	10.0	0.0	5.0	10.0	51.0	0.73	I
28	Liptovský Hrádok outcrop	6	5.0	10	10.0	6.7	5.0	7.5	50.2	0.72	I
19	Lúčanský vodopád waterfall	10	2.5	10	10.0	3.3	7.5	5.0	48.3	0.69	II
21	Viewpoint of the Liptovská Mara Dam	6	7.5	8	10.0	6.7	2.5	7.5	48.2	0.69	II
44	Ružbašské travertíny outcrop	10	2.5	8	10.0	0.0	7.5	7.5	45.5	0.65	II
7	Červená skala outcrop	8	5.0	6	6.7	6.7	7.5	5.0	44.9	0.64	II
36	Sivá brada outcrop	10	7.5	8	10.0	0.0	2.5	5.0	43.0	0.61	II
16	Prosiecka dolina Valley	6	10.0	6	10.0	3.3	2.5	5.0	42.8	0.61	II
8	Františkova huta ironworks	8	2.5	8	10.0	6.7	2.5	5.0	42.7	0.61	II
4	Oravská priehrada Dam viewpoint	6	2.5	2	10.0	6.7	5.0	10.0	42.2	0.60	II
38	Dreveník outcrop	6	10.0	8	10.0	0.0	2.5	5.0	41.5	0.59	II
26	Velínok outcrop	10	2.5	8	3.3	6.7	5.0	5.0	40.5	0.58	II
17	Viewpoint from the Veľký Choč Mt.	10	10.0	2	10.0	3.3	2.5	2.5	40.3	0.58	II
6	Oravice outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	7.5	7.5	40.2	0.57	II
33	Gánovské travertíny outcrop	10	5.0	10	10.0	0.0	2.5	2.5	40.0	0.57	II
15	Kvačianska dolina Valley	10	2.5	4	10.0	3.3	5.0	5.0	39.8	0.57	II
2	Viewpoint over the Oravská kotlina Basin and Tatra Moutnains	8	2.5	4	10.0	6.7	5.0	2.5	38.7	0.55	II
9	Biela skala outcrop	8	5.0	8	0.0	6.7	5.0	5.0	37.7	0.54	II
18	Lúčanské travertíny outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	7.5	5.0	37.7	0.54	II
13	Jasenová outcrop	8	2.5	10	0.0	6.7	7.5	2.5	37.2	0.53	II
42	Jezersko Lake	6	5.0	2	10.0	6.7	2.5	5.0	37.2	0.53	II
5	Halečková outcrop	6	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	5.0	7.5	35.7	0.51	II
14	Hutianske súvrstvie outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	5.0	5.0	35.2	0.50	II
39	Kežmarské vrstvy outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	5.0	5.0	35.2	0.50	II
41	Bachledova dolina outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	2.5	7.5	35.2	0.50	II
43	Smrtná jama outcrop	4	2.5	8	0.0	3.3	7.5	7.5	32.8	0.47	II
24	Sliačske travertíny outcrop	8	2.5	8	3.3	0.0	5.0	5.0	31.8	0.45	II
20	Bešeňovské travertíny outcrop	6	2.5	6	6.7	0.0	5.0	5.0	31.2	0.45	II
27	Belá and Váh riverbed	6	2.5	6	0.0	6.7	7.5	2.5	31.2	0.45	II
29	Vavrišovo landslide	6	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	5.0	2.5	30.7	0.44	II
31	Kvetnica outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	6.7	2.5	2.5	30.2	0.43	II
11	Pucovské zlepence outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	3.3	5.0	2.5	29.3	0.42	II
12	Ostrá skala a Tupá skala outcrop	6	5.0	4	0.0	6.7	5.0	2.5	29.2	0.42	II
3	Čimhovské vrstvy layers	6	2.5	6	0.0	6.7	5.0	2.5	28.7	0.41	II
34	Gánovské slaniská springs	10	2.5	4	0.0	6.7	2.5	2.5	28.2	0.40	II
23	Skalná (Jánošíkova) päsť outcrop	8	2.5	8	0.0	0.0	5.0	2.5	26.0	0.37	III
35	Ondrej mineral spring	8	2.5	8	0.0	0.0	5.0	2.5	26.0	0.37	III
32	Kozie chrbty viewpoint	6	5.0	2	0.0	6.7	2.5	2.5	24.7	0.35	III
22	Liskovská jaskyňa Cave	6	2.5	8	0.0	0.0	5.0	2.5	24.0	0.34	III
1	Rašelinisko Przybojec/Rudné Peatbog	6	2.5	2	0.0	3.3	2.5	2.5	18.8	0.27	III
30	Hybická tiesňava gorge	4	2.5	2	0.0	0.0	2.5	0.0	11.0	0.16	IV

Assessment of geosites according to cognitive and educational criteria_

No.	Name of the geosite	Expert 1			Expert 2			Expert 3			Expert triangulation
No.	Name of the geosite	Sum	Warszyńska indicator	Group	Sum	Warszyńska indicator	Group	Sum	Warszyńska indicator	Group	Average	Warszyńska indicatior	Group
1	Rašelinisko Przybojec/Rudné Peatbog	47.6	0.68	II	35.8	0.51	II	51.8	0.74	I	45.07	0.64	II
2	Viewpoint over the Oravská kotlina Basin and Tatra Mountains	29.2	0.42	II	34.2	0.49	II	30.0	0.43	II	31.13	0.44	II
3	Čimhovské vrstvy layers	27.5	0.39	III	42.5	0.61	II	27.5	0.39	III	32.50	0.46	II
4	Oravská priehrada Dam viewpoint	40.0	0.57	II	56.7	0.81	I	38.3	0.55	II	45.00	0.64	II
5	Halečková outcrop	23.4	0.33	III	15.8	0.23	III	23.4	0.33	III	20.87	0.30	III
6	Oravice outcrop	17.5	0.25	III	20.8	0.30	III	17.5	0.25	III	18.60	0.27	III
7	Červená skala outcrop	56.7	0.81	I	45.8	0.65	II	60.9	0.87	I	54.47	0.78	I
8	Františkova huta ironworks	22.5	0.32	III	40.0	0.57	II	25.0	0.36	III	29.17	0.42	II
9	Biela skala outcrop	42.5	0.61	II	27.5	0.39	III	43.4	0.62	II	37.80	0.54	II
10	Oravské hradné bralo outcrop	57.5	0.82	I	56.6	0.81	I	64.2	0.92	I	59.43	0.85	I
11	Pucovské zlepence outcrop	54.2	0.77	I	42.5	0.61	II	56.7	0.81	I	51.13	0.73	I
12	Ostrá skala a Tupá skala outcrop	41.7	0.60	II	37.4	0.53	II	45.9	0.66	II	41.67	0.60	II
13	Jasenová outcrop	7.5	0.11	IV	15.8	0.23	III	8.3	0.12	IV	10.53	0.15	IV
14	Hutianske súvrstvie outcrop	24.1	0.34	III	30.8	0.44	II	22.5	0.32	III	25.80	0.37	III
15	Kvačianska dolina Valley	41.6	0.59	II	45.9	0.66	II	20.0	0.29	III	35.83	0.51	II
16	Prosiecka dolina Valley	40.0	0.57	II	35.9	0.51	II	28.3	0.40	II	34.73	0.50	II
17	Viewpoint from the Veľký Choč Mt.	33.3	0.48	II	52.5	0.75	I	23.3	0.33	III	36.37	0.52	II
18	Lúčanské travertíny outcrop	50.9	0.73	I	31.7	0.45	II	18.3	0.26	III	33.63	0.48	II
19	Lúčanský vodopád waterfall	57.6	0.82	I	31.7	0.45	II	31.7	0.45	II	40.33	0.58	II
20	Bešeňovské travertíny outcrop	54.3	0.78	I	43.3	0.62	II	25.0	0.36	III	40.87	0.58	II
21	Viewpoint of the Liptovská Mara Dam	22.5	0.32	III	36.6	0.52	II	20.0	0.29	III	26.37	0.38	III
22	Liskovská jaskyňa Cave	55.1	0.79	I	35.0	0.50	II	15.0	0.21	III	35.03	0.50	II
23	Skalná (Jánošíkova) päsť outcrop	32.6	0.47	II	13.3	0.19	IV	13.3	0.19	IV	19.73	0.28	III
24	Sliačske travertíny outcrop	38.4	0.55	II	36.6	0.52	II	11.6	0.17	IV	28.87	0.41	II
25	Termálny prameň Kaďa spring	30.9	0.44	II	16.7	0.24	III	25.0	0.36	III	24.20	0.35	III
26	Velínok outcrop	27.5	0.39	III	38.4	0.55	II	47.5	0.68	II	37.80	0.54	II
27	Belá and Váh riverbed	40.0	0.57	II	44.1	0.63	II	33.4	0.48	II	39.17	0.56	II
28	Liptovský Hrádok outcrop	30.9	0.44	II	9.9	0.14	IV	40.0	0.57	II	26.93	0.38	III
29	Vavrišovo landslide	55.0	0.79	I	35.0	0.50	II	13.4	0.19	IV	34.47	0.49	II
30	Hybická tiesňava gorge	47.6	0.68	II	16.6	0.24	III	23.4	0.33	III	29.20	0.42	II
31	Kvetnica outcrop	44.1	0.63	II	32.5	0.46	II	42.5	0.61	II	39.70	0.57	II
32	Kozie chrbty viewpoint	13.3	0.19	IV	45.0	0.64	II	28.3	0.40	II	28.87	0.41	II
33	Gánovské travertíny outcrop	63.4	0.91	I	29.1	0.42	II	64.2	0.92	I	52.23	0.75	I
34	Gánovské slaniská springs	40.0	0.57	II	45.8	0.65	II	52.5	0.75	I	46.10	0.66	II
35	Ondrej mineral spring	32.5	0.46	II	20.7	0.30	III	47.6	0.68	II	33.60	0.48	II
36	Sivá brada outcrop	30.0	0.43	II	58.4	0.83	I	50.0	0.71	I	46.13	0.66	II
37	Spišský hradný vrch outcrop	57.5	0.82	I	39.9	0.57	II	67.5	0.96	I	54.97	0.79	I
38	Dreveník outcrop	64.2	0.92	I	54.1	0.77	I	67.5	0.96	I	61.93	0.88	I
39	Kežmarské vrstvy outcrop	32.4	0.46	II	44.2	0.63	II	30.8	0.44	II	35.80	0.51	II
40	Strednica viewpoint	42.5	0.61	II	62.5	0.89	I	58.3	0.83	I	54.43	0.78	I
41	Bachledova dolina outcrop	31.6	0.45	II	34.2	0.49	II	35.8	0.51	II	33.87	0.48	II
42	Jezersko Lake	34.2	0.49	II	39.2	0.56	II	59.2	0.85	I	44.20	0.63	II
43	Smrtná jama outcrop	60.9	0.87	I	30.0	0.43	II	45.9	0.66	II	45.60	0.65	II
44	Ružbašské travertíny outcrop	55.0	0.79	I	39.2	0.56	II	66.7	0.95	I	53.63	0.77	I

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/quageo-2025-0027 | Journal eISSN: 2081-6383 | Journal ISSN: 2082-2103

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Language: English

Page range: 123 - 142

Submitted on: Mar 27, 2025

Published on: Aug 24, 2025

Published by: Adam Mickiewicz University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 times per year

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© 2025 Anna Chrobak-Žuffová, Ján Novotný, Daniel Michniak, published by Adam Mickiewicz University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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Geosites in Orava, Liptov and Spiš (N Slovakia) – Evaluation, Accessibility and Geotouristic Potential

Figures & Tables

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Point values of elements valorising geosites_

Final assessment of geosites_

Geosite classification based on the results of the valorisation_

Assessment of geosites in terms of tourist criteria_

Assessment of geosites according to cognitive and educational criteria_

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