Beskydy Dark Sky Park

Beskydy Dark Sky Park protects a stretch of the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area, a mountainous region of primeval forest straddling the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Established on 4 March 2013, it was only the second bilateral dark-sky park in the world.

Why Beskydy is a top stargazing spot

Measurements taken at the Kráľova studňa observation site put the sky quality at Bortle 3, classed as a high-quality rural sky, while the park's Dark Sky Centre sits higher still, on Gruň Ridge at around 900 metres, well above the reach of any nearby town lighting. The remote, mountainous position on the border between two countries keeps the skies over its primeval forests clear of light pollution.

What you can see

A Bortle 3 sky offers good views of the Milky Way and a wide range of stars invisible from more built-up areas, set against the backdrop of the Beskydy mountains. Large astronomical telescopes are available for visitors to use on site at the Gruň Dark Sky Centre, making it possible to look well beyond what the naked eye can pick out.

Visiting Beskydy at night

The Gruň area offers two-hour evening tours accompanied by experienced astronomers, running year-round, weather permitting, and reached via the Gruň Ridge observation point. The observatory can be contacted directly on [email protected] or +420 603 594 256, with further details on its website. Accommodation in the surrounding Beskydy Mountains ranges from ski-style lodges and hotels to cottages, so it's easy to base a stay nearby. Check ahead with the observatory for tour availability, and as always, aim for a clear night near the new Moon and give your eyes time to adjust once you arrive.

Best time to go

Beskydy sits in the northern hemisphere, so the Milky Way's brightest core is best seen roughly March to September, low toward the south on summer nights, while winter brings clear views of Orion and the other bright winter constellations once the core has dropped below the horizon. The Perseids in August are a highlight of the observatory's summer tours, and the Geminids in December and Quadrantids in January reward a cold, clear night. Whatever the season, plan around the new Moon, allow twenty to thirty minutes for dark adaptation, and use a red light to preserve your night vision.

Getting there

Beskydy Dark Sky Park straddles the Beskydy mountains on the Czech-Slovak border, with the Gruň Dark Sky Centre reached via the Gruň Ridge observation point. Contact the observatory directly for directions and current tour times before travelling.

See your named star from here

The Bortle 3 skies over Beskydy's forested mountains make it a rewarding spot to search for a star you have named through Star Register using its certificate coordinates. Check the star catalogue before your trip, bring a stargazing app, and consider joining a Gruň evening tour with a telescope on hand, or browse our observatories page for nearby options.