Demänovská Jaskyna Slobody

Demanovska Cave of Liberty


Useful Information

Location: In the National Nature Reserve Demanovska Valley.
D1 (E50) exit Lipt. Mikuláš, follow rd. 584 south 12 km.
Nizke Tatry, Dumbierske Tatry, Demanovske vrchy, cadastral area Demanovska Dolina, district Liptovsky Mikulas, Zilinsky region.
From the parking lot the trail ascend 67 m, which is a 20-30 min walk.
(48.998258, 19.585181)
Open: 15-MAY to MAY Tue-Sun 9:30, 11, 12:30, 14.
JUN to AUG Tue-Sun 9-16, hourly on the full hour.
SEP to 15-NOV Tue-Sun 9:30, 11, 12:30, 14.
Long Tour:
15-MAY to MAY Tue-Sun 13.
JUN to AUG Tue-Sun 13:15.
SEP to 15-NOV Tue-Sun 13.
[2021]
Fee: Short Tour: Adults EUR 10, Children (6-15) EUR 5, Students EUR 9, Disabled EUR 5, Seniors (60+) EUR 9.
Long Tour: Adults EUR 18, Children (6-15) EUR 9, Students EUR 16, Disabled EUR 9, Seniors (60+) EUR 16.
Foto Permit EUR 10.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave ExplainSpeleotherapy Middle Triassic limestones.
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System LightSon et Lumière
Dimension: A=870 m asl, L=8,355 m, VR=52 m, T=6.2-7.3 °C
Guided tours: Tour A: L=1,145 m, D=60 min, St=960.
Tour B: L=2,150 m, D=100 min, St=1140.
V=135,000/a [2000] V=179,000/a [2019]
Photography: allowed with permit and without tripod
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: Ladislav Kaboš (2000): Tajomná Krása Ticha, Media Film, ISBN 80-238-5634-0
Address: Demänovská Jaskyna Slobody, 032 51 Demänovská Dolina, Tel: +421-849-5591673
Správa slovenských jaskýň, Hodžova 11, 031 01 Liptovský Mikuláš, Tel: +421-44-553-61-01, Tel: +421-44-553-64-11. E-mail: contact.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1921 discovered by Alois Král.
1921 opened for the public.
1933 development and opening of additional parts.
1993 start of speleotherapy in the cave.

Description

Demänovská Jaskyna Slobody (Demänovská Cave of Liberty) was formed by the Demänovská river and has four levels. It is famous for its speleothems. Beneath normal dripstones, the cave contains numerous calcite crystals and helictites. The calcite crystals, sometimes looking like water lilies, were formed in cave lakes. The cave has impressive chambers and passages, an underground river and pools of stagnant water in higher levels. The cave is operated by the SSJ, the Slovak Cave administration which operates most show caves of the country. They were the governmental organization which managed the caves during socialist times, but after the end of the cold war they were transformed into a company and still operate the cave. The size and personell allowed them to handle complicated EU bureaucracy and get funding for a massive renovation of the show caves. The trails were lately redone and there are now handrails made of stainless steel. Also, the light system was upgraded and is now partly with LED lamps.

The cave is located in the Demänovská dolina (Demänovská valley) and there is a parking lot at the road with souvenir shops. From here a trail starts which goes up the steep slope of the valley to the 67 m higher cave entrance. After entering the cave a long staircase leads down into the main chamber of the cave. Another set of cave leads to the lowest level which is an active river cave through which the Demänovská River flows. Following the river upstream the final chamber had a huge wall of moonmilk speleothems, and it is also the place where the cave was originally discovered. Then the trail returns along the same passage and follows the river further upstream. Now it climbs the levels of the cave one by one, with numerous speleothems at some spot.

Here are the calcite crystals, floors full of broken off soda straws, lily petal like formations and small stalactites covered by helictites. A rather narrow section was built by digging a 1 m deep and 50 cm wide channel into the cave floor. It winds through an especially narrow and small passage. So you actually walk in the floor with a forest of stalagmites and pillars around you. A quite impressive sight. Finally, you reach the exit with is right above the entrance.

This cave is quite impressive and visited by numerous tourists, nevertheless it requires some physical fitness. It starts with a 67 m ascend to the cave entrance, which is already a little exhausting. Then inside the cave there are, depending on the tour, up to 1140 steps. They are a little tricky because they are too low. The best height for steps is 18-20 cm, and each step should be big enough to place your foot. The steps here are only 12 cm high and sometimes also narrow. So walking the staircases requires additional concentration, and is a little strenuous. Many elderly people decide to skip the cave tour after they experience the ascent to the entrance, others need some rest after the tour. So we must repeat, physical fitness is definitely necessary for this tour and we suggest planning with enough time for ascent, descent and recovery.