Maluzina: Caves, Mining and the Ohnište Nature Reserve

Malužiná is located in the eastern part of the Liptovská kotlina basin, in a mountainous area on the northern slopes of the Low Tatras. The village combines a clearly defined mining history with a landscape where nature experiences and underground visits are closely connected. For planning your trip, the combination of plateau, valley, cave and cultural-historical traces is particularly interesting.

Mountain Landscape and Nature Reserve

West of Malužiná lies the Ohnište plateau, which is designated as a national nature reserve. It adds a protected landscape form to the region and represents the natural side of the village. Another special feature is located above Malužiná on the left side of the Bocianska dolina valley: the Malužinská jaskyňa cave was formed in dolomite rock. The surroundings therefore bring together different landscape impressions – a plateau west of the village and a cave space in the valley area.

Cave with a Guided Visit

The Malužinská jaskyňa cave is approximately 328 metres long, 250 metres of which are open to the public. The visit follows a clear sequence: first, you walk uphill for approximately ten minutes, after which a guided underground tour begins. Helmets and headlamps are used for this part. The cave is therefore not suitable merely for a quick look into an entrance area, but rather for a visit involving an ascent followed by a guided tour underground.

Mining is also part of Malužiná’s history. A glassworks operated in Malužiná from the 18th century until 1885. The village originated in the second half of the 18th century as a mining settlement around a copper hammer mill built in 1771. In addition, an exhibition about mining and speleology is located in the main building of Speleocamping Malužiná, directly next to the reception. There you can see miners’ lamps, minerals and ores extracted in mines. The exhibition tour takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and provides a shorter, above-ground complement to the guided cave tour.

Cultural History in the Village

The historical development is also reflected in other buildings. Malužiná is home to the Roman Catholic Church of “Povýšenia svätého Kríža”, dating from 1816. The former inn with a bowling alley from the early 19th century is also a national cultural monument. The designation “former” is important here: the building is part of the village’s recorded history and should not be understood as a currently operating inn.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Tickets for the cave, the adit or the exhibition can be purchased at the reception of Speleocamping at Malužiná 21. Visitor parking spaces are located in front of the buffet at Malužiná 158, approximately 10 metres from the reception. If you would also like to visit the “Baňa Zubaustollen” adit, the route from the Speleocamping reception is just under 2 kilometres on foot. The accessible adit is located at the beginning of Malužinská dolina; advance reservation by telephone or email is recommended for the visit.

For a hike through the valley area, the “Chorupné cez Malužinský Tajch” route is documented. It follows forest roads through Malužinská dolina to Malužinský Tajch and continues to Chorupné before returning to Malužiná. This allows you to choose between a guided underground tour, a short exhibition and a forest route without conflating the different types of visit.

If you would like to compare other places in the same wider area, you can find Žiar, Liptovská Sielnica, Hybe, Lubela, Bobrovec, Malatíny, Hybe and Vlachy here.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Liptovský Mikuláš.