FULL – 4. Devin Castle and National Nature Reserve Devinska Kobyla
This excursion is an excellent study case for landscape ecologists, showcasing how ecological restoration activities can be successfully integrated into a historically and geologically rich landscape.
The Devin Castle and Devínska Kobyla Nature Reserve Tour offers a captivating journey blending history, ecology, and geology. It starts with a picturesque cruise along the Danube River, offering beautiful views of Bratislava’s landmarks, such as Bratislava Castle and the Petržalka district. The tour then reaches Devin Castle, an impressive 12th-century fortress with panoramic views of the surrounding area, once a critical defensive site and now an archaeological museum.
The tour proceeds with a walk through the Devínska Kobyla Nature Reserve, a diverse landscape of rare flora and fauna. The 3.5 km Educational Trail reveals the region’s unique plant and animal life, including thermophilic plant communities adapted to the warm microclimates. One of the trail’s highlights is the Sandberg fossil site, a globally significant paleontological site that reveals remnants of a prehistoric sea from 16 million years ago.
Ecologically, the landscape has transformed over time, from oak-hornbeam forests to current mixed environments of forests and meadows. BROZ NGO has played a vital role in restoring biodiversity by reintroducing grazing to maintain meadow ecosystems, which had declined due to historical deforestation and agricultural practices.
The ridge of Devínska Kobyla also offers spectacular views of the Morava River, marking the border between Slovakia and Austria. This area was once restricted due to the Iron Curtain, which cut off access from 1951 until 1989.
| Organisation | BROZ non-governmental organization Bratislava together with ILE SAS Bratislava |
| Format | Boat cruise, visit the Devin Castle, hiking with various stops, return by bus. |
| Duration | Full-day, lunch will be provided in Devin. The excursion departs at 09:30 from the Personal River Port and will return around 17:30 |
| Max. Participants | 40/40 people |
Detailed programme:
09:30 – Meeting with participants at the building of Danube Passenger Port
(Location: Fajnorovo nábrežie 51/2)
10:00-11:30 – Cruise on Danube River from Bratislava to Devin with interpretation
(possibility to buy some drinks)
11:40-13:00 – lunch at the restaurant „U Srncika“ (2-course menu and jugs with lemon water)
13:00-13:50 – Walking to Devin Castle (national cultural monument) with short visit and interpretation with local guide and introduction to the area with a representative from BROZ organization. For more information see: https://broz.sk/en/?s=Dev%C3%ADnska+Kobyla
14:00-17:00 – Excursion continues by hiking to Devinska Kobyla Nature Reserve with professional interpretation with several stops at interesting locations documenting protection of the southernmost extremity of the Small Carpathians. Preservation of meadows is possible with the return of traditional grazing (sheeps and goats) to the country that is one of the key activities of BROZ conservation association.
Devinska Kobyla Nature Reserve is characterized by extraordinary botanical, zoological, geological and paleontological values, significant thermophilic communities with a rich representation of protected and endangered species and at the end also the unique paleontological site of Sandberg in Devinska Nova Ves.
17:00-17:25 – transfer to Bratislava city centre
Recommended clothing and footwear – Raincoat, hiking shoes, sunscreen, bottle of water
