Tribeč Mountain
is situated to the northeast of Nitra. The mountain is bordered to the west by the river Nitra, and to the north by the Vtacnik mountains. To the east it is separated from the mountains Pohronsky Inovec by the river Zitava and by the western perimeter of the Zitavska pahorkatina highlands. To the south it connects directly with the town of Nitra. The Tribec mountains are almost 50 km long and its greatest width reaches 18 km. It is formed by effusive rocks and has been included in the Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area. A substantial portion of the Tribec mountains are covered by beautiful deciduous woods, dominated by oaks, hornbeams and associated beeches. Numerous quartz-granite rocks rising from the surroundings are characteristic of the oak forests of the area. The Tribec mountains are well known for the abundance and preservation of hoofed game. The roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, mouflons and wild boars all inhabit this area. In the past, mouflons successfully acclimated and the exotic species of red deer were introduced. This is credited to Count Forgach, who in 1868 brought the mouflons to a place under the Gymes Mountain. Their population has increased from the original four to about 1500. In 1906, a game preserve for red deer preservation was established in the forests surrounding Topolcianky. At present, this area has nearly 12000 hectacres, and is considered a model for the European game management. A relatively dense network of marked tourist paths has been built in the mountains. There are also some nature reserves, above all of the forest-steppe habitats. Tourists are also attracted by the mysterious ruins of the old castles and by many historical and cultural monuments.
