The Štiavnica Mountains are home to as many as 5 remnants of original primeval forest.
The best known are the forests around Bálov grúň, which lie well away from busy roads. They are in fact two remnants of primeval forest on a single east- and south-facing slope, about 1 km apart, at altitudes of roughly 400–600 m. Here you’ll find oak-hornbeam woodland and warmth-loving oak woods, as well as natural grassland and herb-rich meadows with a number of rare and endangered plant species, a rich variety of fungi growing on deadwood and a high density of woodland bird species. A contour forestry path runs through the area. The site is accessible from the valley road along the Bystrý potok stream, a tributary of the Jasenica. www.pralesy.sk
