Established by Decree of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Socialist Republic No. 110/1979 Coll. of 24 September 1979, as amended by Act of the National Council of the Slovak Republic No. 287/1994 Coll., amended by Decree of the Ministry of Culture No. 420/2003 Coll. of 29 September 2003
Address:
Správa CHKO Horná Orava
(Administration of the Horná Orava PLA)
Bernolákova ul. 408
029 01 Námestovo
Web:
https://chkohornaorava.sopsr.sk
Tel.:
043 552 24 66
Fax:
043 552 24 66
HOT LINE:
0911 887 422
Area of operation: the Protected Landscape Area, the district of Námestovo, and parts of the districts of Tvrdošín and Dolný Kubín
The Horná Orava Protected Landscape Area is located in the northernmost part of Slovakia. A large part of the area consists of flysch mountains formed by flysch rocks, particularly rocks of the so-called Magura Flysch, mainly sandstones and claystones. During later geological periods, these rocks underwent intensive folding together with older geological formations.
Almost half of the Protected Landscape Area is covered by forests. A significant part consists mainly of beech-fir forests, with a strong presence of spruce monocultures. The forest complexes of Babia Hora, Pilsko and Paráč are an exception, featuring primeval forest-like spruce stands with rowan as a mixed species. The dwarf mountain pine zone is developed on Babia Hora and Pilsko. In the summit areas of Babia Hora, the alpine zone is also clearly developed, represented by alpine meadows.
Another remarkable feature of the vegetation in the Protected Landscape Area is the considerable diversity of peatland plant communities, which are home to characteristic rare and endangered plant species, such as bog rosemary, Labrador tea, white beak-sedge, round-leaved sundew, marsh clubmoss, creeping sedge, and blueberry willow.
Fauna also contributes significantly to the natural values of the area. Among the large carnivores, the area is home to the brown bear, wolf and, less commonly, the Eurasian lynx. Hoofed game is common, including red deer, roe deer and wild boar. Characteristic species of the forest zone include the black grouse, western capercaillie and hazel grouse. Among birds of prey, the lesser spotted eagle and the common buzzard nest here, while the common raven is abundant. In recent decades, the black stork has expanded its breeding range in the area. In recent years, the moose has also spread into the area. A particular faunal feature of the Protected Landscape Area is the Orava Reservoir, which provides a suitable habitat not only for fish fauna but especially for birdlife.
Peatlands and wetlands provide habitats for several species of reptiles and amphibians, including the alpine newt, Carpathian newt and great crested newt. The area is also home to several rare and endangered species of invertebrates, such as the cranberry blue butterfly and the raft spider.