The Megonky stone balls (also often spelled Megoňky) are among the best-known natural curiosities of the Kysuce region. In an abandoned sandstone quarry near the Čadca city district of Milošová, dozens of almost perfectly regular stone spheres were uncovered after blasting in the 1980s. Today, Megonky is arranged as a small excursion spot with footbridges and information boards—but it is also a protected area, so the balls must not be removed or damaged. Information about the protected status and about the presence of spheres across the wider area is confirmed by the administration of the Kysuce Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Kysuce), under which Megonky falls.
Where exactly Megonky is—and what people confuse it with
The site lies near the border with the Czech Republic, in the Čadca – Milošová city district. Megonky itself is designated a natural monument and is one of several sphere localities in the region (another well-known spot is the Klokočovské skálie Nature Reserve). The official CHKO Kysuce website states that across Kysuce up to 17 sites with at least one sphere have been documented, with the most famous being in Milošová and in Klokočov. So if you see “Klokočovské skálie” in guidebooks, it is not the same place—it is a separate reserve with an educational trail, a few kilometers from Megonky.
How they formed: what geologists say
The most widely accepted expert explanation is that these are sandstone and conglomerate concretions—spherical masses that formed during diagenesis (the cementation of sediment) around a mineral-rich “core.” Different chemical and pressure conditions then produced their unusually regular shape. In 2025, the state geological survey describes concretions in sandstones of the Flysch belt for Kysuce (including Klokočovské skálie) and provides specific scientific localities and coordinates; these are natural formations, not human-made objects. The CHKO Kysuce administration also уточňuje that documented sphere diameters in the region range roughly from 30 to 260 cm, and that the rock is variable sandstone with an age of 30–40 million years.
Routes: how to get to Megonky and what to add to the trip
The easiest way to reach Megonky is from Čadca to Milošová – Megoňky. A short uphill walk leads from the road to the site; it’s more of a stroll than a hike, but sturdy footwear is recommended because the last meters are steeper. A Kysuce regional portal describes the place as easily accessible with a short walk from the stop and adds that the site has information boards and a shelter.
If you have time for a longer loop, from the Czech side there is the Geopark Megoňky – Šance educational cycle trail. It’s a marked circuit on both sides of the border that takes you all the way to the quarry with the spheres; a common starting point is Mosty u Jablunkova. The route also works on foot (allow extra time), or on a gravel/MTB bike.
To compare the phenomenon, many people also add Klokočovské skálie—a nature reserve with an 850-meter educational trail (blue trail marking), where you can see spheres “set” directly into the rock wall, and shallow bowl-shaped beds left behind where spheres have fallen out. The trail starts near the Klokočov – Galus stop.
Parking and practical information
There is a small parking area at the entrance to the quarry in Megonky; if it’s full, you can also park in the large open area by the Milošová – Megoňky terminus bus stop and walk to the site in a few minutes. The place is freely accessible with no entrance fee, but a protected-area regime applies—don’t climb on the spheres, don’t chip anything off, and behave considerately in the forest.
Myths vs. facts
Myth: The spheres were made by ancient civilizations or aliens.
Fact: Geological studies and field research describe spherical sandstone concretions as a natural product of sediment turning into rock. Similar spheres are found elsewhere in the world (Costa Rica, New Zealand, Bosnia), which supports a natural explanation without the need for “alien” intervention.
Myth: A 5-meter sphere was found at Megonky.
Fact: This claim often circulates in the media and on blogs, but the CHKO Kysuce administration reports documented diameters in Kysuce of roughly up to 260 cm. A larger “five-meter” sphere is not supported by official nature-protection documentation or by professional geological materials.
Myth: Megonky is the only place with stone spheres in Slovakia.
Fact: Within the CHKO Kysuce area, several localities are known (about 17), with the best-known being Milošová – Megonky and Klokočovské skálie.
When to go and how to enjoy the trip
Spring through autumn offer the most reliable footing and good light for photographing sandstone textures. After rain, colors tend to be more contrasty, but the ground can be slippery. In winter the site is also accessible, but expect snow and ice. Sturdy footwear, following signage, and low-impact behavior will serve you well—it’s a protected area, not a playground.
Video: see Megonky before you go
A tip for a short on-the-ground preview of the site (YouTube auto-embed in Gutenberg):
Sources
- Administration of the Kysuce Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Kysuce) – Highlights: Stone Balls in Kysuce — https://chkokysuce.sopsr.sk/priroda/zaujimavosti/
- Geological Works (State Geological Survey of the Slovak Republic) – Sandstone Concretions, Kysuce (2025) — https://www.geology.sk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GPS_140w.pdf
- RegionKysuce.sk – Stone Balls in Megoňky (access, parking) — https://www.regionkysuce.sk/sk/tipy-na-vylety/152-kamenne-gule-v-megonkach
- RegionKysuce.sk – Klokočovské skálie Educational Trail (route, access points) — https://www.regionkysuce.sk/sk/sportove-moznosti/pesie-trasy/761-naucny-chodnik-klokocovske-skalie
Jana
I like turning curiosity into words, and writing articles is my way of capturing ideas before they slip away — and sharing them with anyone who feels like reading.
