Low Tatra
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The Low Tatra or Low Tatras (Slovak Nízke Tatry) is a mountain range in central Slovakia. It is located south of the High Tatra, from which it is separated by the valley of the Váh river. The valley formed by the Hron river is situated south of the Low Tatra range. The ridge runs west-eastwards and is about 80 km long.
The Čertovica pass divides the range into two parts. The highest peaks of the Low Tatra are located in its western part. The Ďumbier rises to 2,042 m. Its only a little bit lower neighbour, the Chopok (2,024 m) is accessible by a chairlift, therefore being the most frequented place of the mountains. Other peaks of this part are Dereše (2,004 m) and Chabenec (1,955 m). The eastern part is topped by the peak of Kráľova hoľa (1,946 m).
Several karst areas are situated in limestone and dolomite formations at the southern and northern edges of the main ridge, which is composed of granite and gneiss. Among many discovered caves, Bystrá Cave (Bystrianska jaskyňa), Cave of Dead Bats (Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov), Demänová Cave of Freedom (Demänovská jaskyňa Slobody), Demänová Ice Cave (Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa), and Važec Cave (Važecká jaskyňa) are open to the public. The biggest tarn is Vrbické pleso in the Demänovská dolina valley.
The mountains are densely forested and their rich fauna includes bear, wolf, and lynx. The alpine meadows are the habitat of chamois. Most of the range is protected as the Low Tatra National Park (Národný park Nízke Tatry, abbreviated NAPANT), established in 1978. The area of the national park is 728.42 km² with additional 1,101.62 km² of zones under lower protection.
There are several important ski resorts in Low Tatra, for example Jasná, Mýto pod Ďumbierom, and Tále. These are also hubs of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. The steep northern slopes of the range are popular among climbers. Other attractions include an 18-hole golf course near Tále and the Korytnica spa.
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