Meadows turn purple in central Slovakia's mountain saddle

These meadows are strewn with saffron.

The meadows in the Zbojská saddle in the Brezno district are strewn with saffron.The meadows in the Zbojská saddle in the Brezno district are strewn with saffron. (Source: Marcela Ballová)

The meadows in the Zbojská saddle, stretching between Gemer and Horehronie regions, are strewn with saffron.

Purple and white flowers are among the first heralds of spring. Many times they "peek out" from under the melting snow cover, the My Novohrad website writes.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Also this year, a tower reminiscent of the mill from the Slovak fairytale, Perinbaba, added to the beauty of the meadows around the farm.

Many cannot resist and head up the hill to the lookout tower to capture the spring beauty with their camera. Travelling up to the tower is worth it. The view of the snowy Low Tatras is equally renowned.

SkryťTurn off ads

However, it should be remembered that Carpathian saffron is protected by law. According to the decree of the Interior Ministry, the social value of one flower is calculated at €9.95.

If you decide to go to Zbojská, believe that there are many more interesting things worth seeing than just the aforementioned lookout tower.

Secured path through Devil's Valley

One is the Educational Trail of Jakub Surovec with a secured path through the Čertova dolina (Devil's Valley) gorge.

"It leads through the Furmanec Stream, equipped with belaying fixed ropes and iron risers in four sections. In the past, it was passable only for more skilled visitors, as driftwood deposits often made it impossible to pass through," reads the information board right next to the main road. From there you can turn off to the Salaš Zbojská restaurant or walk up the hill to the wooden viewpoint and the massive statue of the bandit Jakub Surovec.

SkryťTurn off ads

The reconstruction of the gorge path took place in 2020. The operator of the secured route is the Slovak Paradise National Park Administration.

It is not recommended for children under 5 years of age to set out on a trip to the gorge.

Movement is possible individually or alongside guide with expertise. If you are interested in a guide, you must report to Salaš Zbojská.

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides

Top stories

Playstreets for kids festival at Mudroňova elementary school

3 things to do in Bratislava for free in the next seven days

Visit an International Choir Festival or Playstreet for kids this weekend


5 h
Vrakuňa’s citizens presented apples washed in water with leaked toxins at the protest in 2016.

Chemical time bomb in Bratislava’s Vrakuňa keeps ticking

The state is failing to solve leaking chemical waste dump.


31. may
Jupiter (centre) and its Galilean moons: from left Ganymede, Io, Europa and Callisto. Juice with deployed antennas and arrays is in the bottom right.

From Košice to Ganymede: Slovak engineers are leaving their mark in space

Slovaks are active participants in two ongoing space missions.


20. may
Action store in Zvolen, central Slovakia.

Dutch discount retail chain Action lures with ‘treasure hunt’ experience

Six Action stores already open, more in pipeline, firm says.


7. jun
SkryťClose ad