Veľká lúka on Muránska planina

Veľká lúka («the Great Meadow») is a huge mountain meadow on the limestone Muránska planina plateau north of the village of Muráň, in the south-eastern part of the national park of the same name. Flat as a steppe, it lies at about 880–900 m and is used in Slovak geography as an example of a high-lying plain. Fir-beech and spruce forests, which cover about 86 % of the park, surround it. Muránska planina National Park was established on 1 October 1997 on 203 km²; it is a karst plateau with more than 250 caves, sinkholes and karst springs, and among its 35 endemic and sub-endemic plants the best known is the Muráň daphne (Daphne arbuscula), a Tertiary relict that grows only here.

Veľká lúka's hallmark is its horses. It is one of the two stations where the Muráň Noriker (Norik muránsky) – hardy heavy horses used for generations in forestry – is bred in free range; the other is in Dobšiná. Breeding on the plateau began in 1950, mainly for hauling timber. Since 2023 it has been run by the state enterprise Národný žrebčín Topoľčianky (National Stud Topoľčianky) under an agreement with the park administration: the horses graze the meadows and so maintain valuable non-forest habitats, while the farmstead at Veľká lúka is used for breeding. During the Slovak National Uprising of 1944 the meadow served as a reserve airfield: obsolete military equipment was placed here to draw Luftwaffe raids away from the Tri Duby airfield.

What to see and do

• Horse herds – semi-wild Norikers graze on the open meadow; watch from a distance, do not feed them and do not enter the paddocks.
• «Wild West» scenery – the long, flat meadow framed by wooded hills is especially beautiful in summer and early autumn.
• Ródeo Muráň – an equestrian festival held every year at Veľká lúka.
• Walk to Muráň Castle – from the Piesky junction at the edge of the meadow a blue trail leads to the cottage below the castle in about 30 min; the ruins at 935 m are a short way above.
• In winter the marked «Veľká Lúka okruh» cross-country ski loop crosses the meadow.

Getting there

The nearest villages are Muráň (8 km from Revúca) and Muránska Huta. A convenient route is described by the regional tourism organisation Gemer: from the bus stop above Muránska Huta by the Bobačka waterfall, follow the red trail – the Rudná magistrála: Kadak – Stolica – for half an hour of climbing (about 200 m) to an asphalt road, turn left and after 1 km you are on Veľká lúka; across it lies the Piesky junction. From there you can take the blue trail to Muráň Castle and descend on the yellow one through the Šiance reserve to the Predná Hora saddle and Muráň – a half-day loop. From Muráň the red trail climbs 555 m in 80–100 min. An asphalt road leads onto the plateau, but cars may drive to the forest cottages on the plateau only with a permit. The walk across the meadow is easy and flat, suitable for families with children; the climb to the plateau is short but noticeable.

Season and safety

The best time is May to October; in winter the plateau is snowy and used for cross-country skiing. There is no entry ticket to the national park (as of October 2026). Remember that the horses are not an attraction: do not approach foals, do not feed the animals and do not leave gates open. Water is scarce on the karst plateau – carry enough. Stay on marked trails; bears live in the park. Mountain Rescue Service HZS: 18 300 or 112.

Nearby

Above the village of Muráň stand the ruins of Muráň Castle, one of the highest-lying castles in Slovakia; near Muránska Huta is the Bobačka (Hutnícky) waterfall. Along the plateau runs the Červená Skala – Sedlo Dielik trail.

Photos: Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Daniel Baránek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; I would appreciate being notified if you use my work outside Wikimedia. Do..., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.