The Landscape Protection Area of the Mátra was established in 1986 - on a territory of 12141 hectares - to protect the nature and landscape of the Mátra region. This organization, which belongs to the Directorate of the Bükk National Park, makes sure that the original state of the Mátra is not disturbed by any interventions that may cause damage to its landscape and nature in the long run. The special natural values are kept safe on a strictly protected area of 2209 hectares, covered mainly with forests. All the beauties of a montane forest landscape can be found here, with natural habitats, a unique flora and fauna, geological formations of various shapes.

This mountain range of varied surfaces abounds in species. The flora and fauna of the High Mátra block are outstanding, providing shelter for several Carpathian, alpine plant and animal species. The oak forests of the warmer slopes alternate with beech forests, depending on height and exposure, but one can also find unique wooded associations at extreme, special habitats. The atmosphere of intact forests is occassionally heightened by rock outcrops, rocky grasslands, shrubs, clearings, lakes and wetlands of various size.

These diverse habitats support a rich flora and fauna as well, in which the arthropods of the brooks are just as worthy of attention as the colourful butterflies or special birds.

Anybody who enters this world is obliged to preserve the flora, the fauna and the geological values and to ensure that they remain undisturbed on the territory of the Landscape Protection Area. The mountains and forests have not been preserved to help humans "break loose" but to become "shrines" of nature, places where people are only visitors, guests, therefore they have to behave like guests, appropriately and in harmony with the spirit of the place. It is forbidden to collect plants, animals, natural formations or rocks; they represent a real value only here, in this landscape, so it makes no sense to "export" them. The opportunity to enter the strictly protected areas is limited, only the marked trails can be used by hikers. Mountain cycling is allowed only on routes marked by maps. Vehicle traffic is strictly forbidden everywhere, except for roads. The written permission of the conservation authorities is required in all cases for public and sports events in the Landscape Protection Area.

Further information can be received from: