Morské oko (Eye of the sea)

With the surface area of 13 hectares, Morské oko or Veľké Vihorlatské jazero (Great Vihorlat lake) is the biggest lake in Vihorlat mountains. It´s the third biggest natural lake in Slovakia after Štrbské pleso and Veľké Hincovo pleso in High Tatras.

The lake was created after a landslide from the Motrogon hill towards the end of the volcanic era, causing damming of the valley alongside the Okna stream. It´s located in the Protected countryside area Vihorlat and it belongs to the protection zone Vihorlatský prales (Vihorlat primeval forest), a UNESCO World Heritage-listed primeval forest (since 2007) - Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.

Today, it´s a national nature reserve with an area of more than 100 hectares and the highest, fifth degree of protection. Fishing, swimming or boating are prohibited here.

Tourist trails from Zemplínske Hámre and Remetské Hámre lead to Morské oko. If you follow the blue tourist mark from Morské oko, you can reach the popular Sninský kameň in 1 hour and 35 minutes.