Initially, the area now belonging to the park, was a uniform whole, then gradually split and re-formed by the currents of the rivers (Hornad, Hnilec) and streams (Veľký Sokol, Suchá Belá, Biely potok) into several larger and smaller areas. (Glac, Geravy). Over thousands of years, smaller rivers have formed gorges with waterfalls, so typical of the Slovak Paradise area (Kyseľ, Piecky, Sokolia dolina, Zejmarská roklina).

The park plains may boast numerous karst formations – sinkholes, pavements, underground caves and hollows (Dobšinská Ice Cave, Stratenská jaskyňa, Medvedia jaskyňa, Čertova diera).

Not far from the national park lie areas with the most historic monuments. (Spišská Nová Ves, Markušovce, Spišský Štvrtok, Hrabušice) and tourist centres (Čingov, Klasztorisko, Podlesok, Dedinky), where accomodation can also be found. From places of accommodation, one may organise day-long excursions into the area (Levoča, the High Tatras, the Low Tatras, the Pieniny, Spišský Hrad, Plejsy, St James church in Levoča).

The Bielska Cave

The Bielska Cave (entrance at 885 m above sea level) is the only cave available for touring in the High Tatras. It is located on the northern slope of the Kobylí vrch, over Tatranská Kotlina.

No speculations that the cave was known to prehistoric man were confirmed. In the 18th c., the cave used to be frequented by treasure hunters, who left inscriptions on its walls. It was only the expedition of Julius Husz and Ján Britz from Spišská Belá, on 5.08.1881 that sparked the tourists’ and researchers’ interest in the cave.

The cave was made available for touring in 1882 and in 1896 it became one of the first caves in the world to have electric lighting installed. The route was constantly improved and more and more discoveries made in the cave. Its entire length is 1752 m, out of which 1001 m is available for touring.