Smrekovec is a 15 km long pre-alpine mountain range, protected as a geological and botanical reserve Smrekovec-Komen. The Smrekovec volcano was active in the Tertiary, 23 million years ago. At the time, it was submerged under the sea, and has erupted volcanic dust, ash, and lava several times in a row. The area is characterised by andesite, andesitic tuff and a specific and diverse flora. You can see the trumpet gentian (Gentiana acaulis), bellflower (Campanula residifalia) and alpine azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens). The 1577 m high extinct volcano is home to many rare flowers and the biggest homogenous habitat of the western capercaillie.
The area is protected under Natura 2000, the European network of protected sites. It is also a crucial water source. Near the Dom na Smrekovcu mountain hut there is a Smrekovec information point, telling visitors about the extinct volcano and the entire volcanic mountain range.
