Nature Park Medvednica

Story of the Park

A green mountain is watching over a city with almost a million inhabitants. The presence of man on the mountain of Medvednica goes back 45 thousand years, back to the time when the Neanderthals lived in the cave of Veternica. Today, the mountain is home to 18 bat species. As the name of the mountain says, with the Croatian word for bear in its root, bears once used to live on the mountain in large numbers. A thousand-year old yew tree might hide a witch heart mushroom somewhere in its shadow. Indeed, witches used to meet here once upon a time, and when they would touch the ground, a red mushroom would grow on that spot. A fitting reminder of tales from times past.

The mountain of Medvednica successfully survives despite the pressures of urban environment with one million inhabitants in its immediate surroundings. Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia right underneath the mountain, enjoys the luxury of having a protected area on its doorstep – Medvednica Nature Park.

Throughout history, there have been many reasons why people would come to the mountain. In the past, farmers of the nearby Zagorje region would carry the fruits of their labor to the fruit and vegetable market of Zagreb. Today, on the other hand, Medvednica is a place for leisure and rest, and a green source of strength for all those who visit the mountain, particularly city folk.

In the “beech climate” that dominates on the mountain, it is possible to truly experience all the differences inherent in various seasons. Winters are frosty or covered in snow. Spring seasons are green and fresh. Late spring brings lush, ripe vegetation with it. Potent colors come next, with the forest bouquet of the autumn. Color changes that the mountain provides are truly impressive.

There are 91 strictly protected plant species in the Park, including yew (Taxus baccata), facing extinction in its original habitats in Europe. On Medvednica, however, not only is it possible to see individual yew trees, but even an entire forest of yew and linden. One particular yew tree on the location of Krumpirište is truly special and impressive, over thousand years old.

There is a belief that yew tree is endowed with major powers, and this belief is reflected in modern fantasy literature too. The magic wand of the evil magician Voldemort from the Harry Potter series is made from yew, for example.

The vegetation cover of Medvednica includes mostly preserved and highly diverse forest communities, growing on varied relief with diverse geological layers and types of soil.

The base of Medvednica is covered by sessile oak and hornbeam forest, which envelops the mountain. Forests of sweet chestnut and beech are there as well. Above the altitude of 800 meters, one reaches Pannonian beech and fir forests. Cold and wet mountain valleys are home to sycamore maple and ash forests. The southern slopes of the mountain are covered in pubescent oak and manna ash forests, as well as sessile oak forests with black pea.

The diversity of forests on Medvednica is incredible. It resulted in as many as eight special forest vegetation reserves declared in 1963, with the aim of properly managing the natural balance.

The animal world used to be a lot more diverse in the past, and it once included even bears, as the name of the mountain testifies. However, there have been no bears on Medvednica for centuries. Urban development has resulted in the disappearance of many other animal species too: lynx, wolf, deer, grouse and otter. Many of these animals have given their names to surrounding villages, which speak of their presence in the past: Medvedski breg (bear), Vučja jama (wolf), Vukov dol (wolf), Risovo polje (lynx).

The mountain that can be seen from virtually every window in the city facing north is a habitat to small animals, rodents, but also hoofed animals such as roe deer or wild boar. Smaller carnivores live on Medvednica too, such as wildcats, foxes, martens and weasels. They are the true night hunters of Medvednica.

Bats are undoubtedly special tenants of Medvednica. There are 24 bat species living in the Park, and seven of those are listed as Natura 2000 species, one of which is designated as nationally important. They have found their home in caves, abandoned mines, quarries, tree hollows and attics. In one night, a bat can eat up to six hundred mosquitoes. The benefits brought by these animals very much overturn the myths that sometimes result in the killing of bats, because of the fear that people feel towards them.

The mountain cave of Veternica is history turned into stone. Life was first present here 45 thousand years ago, when it was used as shelter by the Neanderthals, and bats live in it today.

Geologists simply love Medvednica. Mountain rocks have partly arisen from the bottom of the seas that evaporated a long time ago. Geologically speaking, the mountain of Medvednica is an old lady that has changed many faces over the years. Fossils of sea organisms have even been found in the rocks of the mountain.

The main body of the mountain is made of metamorphic rocks with particularly prominent green shale. That stone has turned into a symbol of sorts of Medvednica, and it adorns the facades of many buildings on the mountain, including the hotel Tomislavov dom.

The mountain is full of surprises. Many will be surprised by the presence of karst fields. It is true that karst phenomena are hidden by dense vegetation; however, those who know the mountain also know that there are pits, sinkholes, karst valleys and dolines scattered on it. The biggest karst field is called Ponikve. It resembles a large sponge from which the creeks of Medvednica spring and into which they disappear. It is precisely the waters from the area of Ponikve diving into the underground through cracks present in rocks that eventually formed the cave of Veternica, one of the longest caves in Croatia with over 7,000 meters of discovered channels.

There are many mountain creeks on Medvednica. Steep upper courses descend towards the base of the mountain, accompanied by the beauty of the sound of fresh water. The fauna that can be found in creeks includes endemic species; fish species are rather rare, with the exception of certain riparian species. Several species of extraordinarily small and protected plankton shrimps live in creeks: the Zagreb niphargid shrimp and shrimp living in the creeks of Dolje and Bliznec.

Medvednica is a mountain that has always represented a division between urban and rural life in geographical terms, and it retains that role today. However, it has also always constituted a path through which city and village life connect and merge. There are few panoramas that can compare to the one from Medvedgrad, an old town above Zagreb built on a hill 593 meters above sea level in the 13th century, providing a spectacular view of the capital city from above the mountain forest.

Many visitors coming here are reminded that it is sometimes good to reverse the usual perspective – instead of looking at the mountain of Medvednica and its peak of Sljeme from a window of one’s flat in the city, it is worth taking every opportunity to come here, and enjoy the sights of the city of Zagreb watching them from the mountain.

Natural Heritage

Due to the biodiversity of its forests, the mountain of Medvednica includes as many as eight special forest vegetation reserves where forest management is reduced only to maintenance of the natural balance. Medvednica is recognizable for its rich mammal world, with bats as a particularly interesting group, for there are 24 bat species living in the Park, seven of them listed as Natura 2000 species.

The mountain is geologically very interesting, in particular because of green shale that became a trademark of well-known architectural gems on Medvednica, such as the hotel Tomislavov dom and the chapel of Our Lady of Sljeme.

Plant world

The plant world of Medvednica is rich, diverse and quite intriguing. Flora, the Roman goddess of spring and flowers, includes 1,205 species and subspecies on the mountain of Medvednica. To a large extent, the diversity of the plant world of Medvednica is a result of climate changes that have taken place during the history of the Earth. Medvednica is a transitional area and a meeting point of various geographical and plant regions. A valuable mosaic of grasslands, vineyards, orchards and arable land existing on the mountain is a result of human activity, coupled with various field crops that further enhance biodiversity with their species.

Conserved natural forests represent the bulk of the vegetation cover of Medvednica. Due to diverse relief and various geological layers and types of soil, as many as twelve forest communities can be found here, with pronounced zonation, i.e. the distribution of types depending on altitude and sun exposure.

This diversity of forests on Medvednica resulted in as many as eight special forest vegetation reserves declared in 1963. Forest management is reduced to maintenance of the natural balance.

There are 91 strictly protected plant species in the Park, including yew (Taxus baccata), carnic lily (Lilium carniolicum), martagon lily (Lilium martagon), holly (Ilex aquifolium) and many orchid species.

In addition to strictly protected plants, many spring plants also grow in the area, including snowdrop, saffron crocus, dogtooth violet, hellebore and anemones. The strictly protected species snowdrop windflower (Anemone sylvestris) is critically endangered, and faces a direct threat of extinction throughout Europe.

The mountain of Medvednica is also home to three individual trees protected as nature monuments on the basis of the Nature Protection Act: the linden tree (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) in Donja Stubica, named after Matija Gubec, the leader of a peasants’ revolt in medieval times; an old yew tree (Taxus baccata L.) on the locality of Šupljak; and an old yew tree near the locality of Horvatove stube.

“It seems as if plants are scattered across the earth in such splendor, just like stars across the sky, in order to invite man to examine nature attracted by the joy and curiosity that they provide.” J.J. Rousseau.

Animal world

The name of the mountain, stemming from the Croatian word for bear, reminds us of the fact that these magnificent animals once roamed the forests of Medvednica. Wolf, lynx and deer have also disappeared. However, Medvednica managed to resist the pressures of a big city in its immediate vicinity. It still retains the conditions that enable life of an extraordinarily rich and interesting animal world, provoking the interest of biologists since the second half of the 19th century.

Various mammal species live in the forests of Medvednica, ranging from small rodents such as mice, rabbits, dormouses and voles, to large hoofed animals such as roe deer and wild boar. Several carnivores are also present in the Park: wildcats, foxes, martens and weasels. Bats are a particularly interesting group of mammals, with as many as 24 bat species living in the Park. Seven of those are listed as Natura 2000 species, and one of them is designated as a species of national importance.

Birds of prey are kings of the Medvednica skies, including the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and northern goshawk (Accipitper gentilis). Numerous songbirds bring the forest to life in springtime with their diverse songs, including the common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), robin (Erithacus rubecula) and several tit species.

Frogs also point to their presence with their vivid croaking. They live in wetter habitats of the Park, along the creeks, fish ponds and puddles of water, such as the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), a Natura 2000 species. Some of the more frequent amphibians include the black-yellow colored fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and alpine newt Mesotriton alpestris).

Reptiles on Medvednica include horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), our best-known venomous snake species, and other snakes such as the Aesculapian snake, smooth snake and grass snake.

Meadows, glades and forest edges of Medvednica are also home to wonderful butterfly species, such as the Old World swallowtail (Papilio machaon), scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) and purple emperor (Apatura iris). Butterfly species include some of the most beautiful ambassadors of the Natura 2000 network and several species of national importance.

No less beautiful than butterflies are some beetle species, such as the Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) and Morimus funereus, superbly adapted to beech forests. Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and the species Osmoderma barnabita, on the other hand, are particularly adapted to oak forests. These insects are also part of the Natura 2000 list of species.

Water world

Medvednica abounds with water sources and creeks of a pronounced mountain character: their upper courses are steep, and lower parts less inclined. The water sources of Medvednica are relatively modest in terms of capacity, but quite numerous, which makes it possible to use them for water supply for smaller settlements. Most of them are located at altitudes exceeding 750 meters above sea level. Typical stream bank vegetation grows along the creeks, and the creek fauna includes a range of endangered and endemic species, as well as several Natura 2000 species.

Fish species are relatively rare, but nevertheless include various species, such as the southern barbel (Barbus balcanicus), schneider (Alburnoides bipunctatus), chub (Squalius cephalus) and brown trout (Salmo trutta var. fario).

Favorite food of trout species, as well as white-throated dippers, are larvae of caddisflies, which have adjusted to life in fast mountain creeks in a unique manner: in order to avoid being washed away by the powerful stream of water, the larvae use silk to glue small sand and gravel particles and twig parts around them as protection. Using this protection as added weight, they then hide under the rocks in the creek lurking for their prey.

Protected stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) also lives in creeks. The population of the species was quite large as recently as thirty years ago; it has decreased considerably in recent times, however. Given the poor tolerance of this species to environmental changes, it is perceived as a good indicator of water quality. Stone crayfish represents an important link in the food chain of stream ecosystems.

Miniature amphipods such as Niphargus elegans zagrebensis and Niphargus tauri medvednicae living in creeks Dolje and Bliznec are also protected species.

Several crustacean species belonging to subterranean fauna and thermal spring fauna have been recorded only in the territory of Medvednica.

All creeks of Medvednica are threatened due to construction activities in their immediate vicinity, aggressive hydrological and technical measures changing their appearance, wastewater pollution and illegal waste disposal. Creeks in karst terrain are particularly threatened, due to the fact that all surface pollution leeches into the underground, thus polluting the groundwater. Experts continue to invest their knowledge and enthusiasm in nature conservation.

Geology

The rocks of Medvednica were partly created by sedimentation on the bottom of ancient seas, as can be seen in the fossils of diverse marine organisms found in rocks in various parts of the mountain. These seas were retreating and rising in the course of geological history; their depth and salt content oscillated too. As a result, the mountain of Medvednica was sometimes submerged, and sometimes stood as an island surrounded by the sea or smaller lakes and wetlands.

The rocks of Medvednica reached their current position through geological processes resulting in their consecutive rising and lowering, with the Earth’s crust folding and breaking. The mountain was born approximately twelve million years ago, when its central part rose in between deep faults.

Due to tumultuous and diverse geological history, we come across all three key types of rocks on Medvednica: igneous (formed by the cooling of lava), sedimentary (formed by the deposition of parts of other rocks or plant and animal remains) and metamorphic rocks (arising from the transformation of both types of original rocks, due to high pressure and temperature).

The central part of the mountain is built of metamorphic rocks. Green shale is particularly prominent, as a symbol of sorts of Medvednica. It adorns the facades of many buildings on the mountain, including the hotel Tomislavov dom and the Chapel of Our Lady of Sljeme.

Another well-known stone type of Medvednica is Lithothamnium limestone, creating a unique karst zone together with Triassic dolomites in the western part of the mountain. Even though karst phenomena are partly hidden by more recent Holocene sediments and vegetation, there are many karst forms in the area, such as caves, pits, sinkholes, karst valleys and dolines. The karst field of Ponikve resembles a large sponge from which the creeks of Medvednica spring and into which they disappear. Waters from the area of Ponikve diving into the underground through rock cracks resulted in the formation of the cave of Veternica. With its 7,128 meters of discovered channels, it is one of the six longest caves in Croatia. Karst forms on Medvednica can also be seen in the area of Horvatove stube and parts of the area of Lipa and Rog.

People have been using the stone of Medvednica since the Roman times. There used to be twelve quarries operating on the mountain, and only one remains active today: the quarry of Ivanec, where dolomite is extracted. Lithothamnium limestone was used in the construction of the Zagreb Cathedral, parts of arcades on the cemetery of Mirogoj, and facades of many houses in Zagreb.Nowadays , abandoned quarries are visited by scientists and nature lovers, due to a number of fossils and minerals that can be found there.

Life has been present on Medvednica for centuries, leaving many interesting traces such as the improvised small huts of vuglenari – charcoal makers who developed a special skill of turning wood into top-quality charcoal. Wood was also used to make toys for children – small copies of baby carriages, furniture, cradles and houses.

This incredible handicraft has also been recognized by UNESCO, which protected the art of traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys by including it in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Life on Medvednica

The patriarchal way of life in the villages and hamlets around the mountain was proceeding slowly until the 19th century, when the city of Zagreb started spreading to southern slopes of the mountain. Despite all these changes, the inhabitants continued using the abundant resources of Medvednica on a daily basis.

Until recently, people built houses of the stone and wood from the mountain; they heated their houses by using coals from ancient mines or charcoal from traditional charcoal kilns, used salt from Slani potok, mined in the local mountain mines, ground wheat and corn in water mills along the creeks of Medvednica, built furniture, toys and many useful items made of wood collected in the local forests, ate fruits, mushrooms or young plant shoots collected in the forest, used the herbs of Medvednica as remedies, and enjoyed the meat of game caught in the mountain.

Until the first half of the 20th century, scattered around the beech forests of Medvednica, one could come across improvised small huts of charcoal makers, the so-called vuglenari. These huts were built next to big vuglenice, conical constructions made of wood, leaves and earth, used to turn carefully laid wood into top-quality charcoal. Construction required a lot of skill, ranging from picking the right place and wood, all the way to ensuring the smooth flow of the production process. Wood was also used as material for toys, miniature copies of trolleys, tables, chairs, baskets, cradles for puppets and houses in vivid colors. UNESCO recognized the wizardry of their production as well, by protecting the art of traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. When they weren’t playing, the locals would tell various legends and tales about the mountain. In this world of tales, water mills were perceived as special, magical places where mysterious beings spend their time in waters and darkness, like the water man with curly beard coming to the mill for flour. He was very strong, easily capable of dragging a person to his water empire. Water foam under the mill wheel was considered to be particularly magical, washing away most of the fairy curses and all the witch spells. Witches, or coprnice as the locals referred to them, interpreted the nature of Mother Earth as talented priestesses. With the passage of time, subjected to increasing persecution and humiliation, many started hiding, frequently using black magic and witchcraft to survive. As they lived in the shadow for centuries, they turned into beings of darkness, instilling fear in people who started accusing them for all the evil things that were happening to them. Allegedly, they were meeting in the forests of Medvednica, where they would run wild and wreak havoc, even picking young girls from local villages to corrupt them on the mountain.

Castles, villages and a mine

The turbulent 13th century in the area was marked by vicious attacks of hordes of horsemen from the east. That was when the forts of Medvedgrad, Susedgrad and Zelingrad were built on Medvednica, in the central, western and far eastern part of the mountain respectively. Later on, these fortifications also served as defense against the Turks. The most imposing fortification is Medvedgrad, built in 1254 after a disastrous incursion of the Tatars, who attacked the area and completely destroyed and burned the city of Zagreb. Even though superbly defended and ready to fight, Medvedgrad itself was never attacked. As a matter of fact, the masters of Medvedgrad would frequently fill up their treasury and warehouses by pillaging the surrounding villages; sometimes they would even attack the town of Zagreb. The counts of Celje were the most notorious inhabitants of Medvedgrad.

In the mid-15th century, their terror was so strong that many inhabitants of Gradec abandoned their homes. Terrifying tales about the countess Barbara Celjska – the notorious Black Queen – still survive in villages under the mountain peak. Intent on saving her treasure in the face of a Turkish attack, she allegedly offered herself and Medvedgrad to the Devil. Although she later regretted her words, and tried to break the fateful contract, she died in 1451, killed by the plague, the Black Death of medieval times. However, the curse was so strong that she found no peace even in her death. Instead, she turned into Snake Queen, with her servant snakes still guarding her enormous treasure. According to legend, the treasure is still buried somewhere around Medvedgrad; however, many expeditions and robbing raids attempted by various adventurers never resulted in a discovery. Medvedgrad was abandoned in 1590, following a horrible earthquake that struck the fortification, after which the last rulers from the family of Gregorian moved to a castle in Šestine.

Villages around the castles and their inhabitants were under the military protection of estate owners and nobility; in return for protection, the villagers worked in fields and vineyards, felled trees in the forest, and worked in quarries and mines. Work in the best-known mine of Zrinski was extremely hard, with thirty or so miners doing daily shifts lasting ten to twelve hours, manually extracting valuable ore that contained silver, and using only hammers, wedges, picks and shovels in the process. As early as the mid-17th century, the family of Zrinski put a stop to production in the mine, leaving the mysterious underground of Medvednica to moisture, darkness and subterranean beings. In 2004, Medvednica Nature Park opened the mine to visitors. It belongs to protected cultural goods of the Republic of Croatia.

Author: Damir Kovačić

Author: Arhiva PP Medvednica

Author: Damir Kovačić

Author: rhiva PP Medvednica

Author: Damir Kovačić

Author: Arhiva PP Medvednica

Author: Damir Kovačić

Author: Arhiva PP Medvednica

Bicycling

The area of Medvednica includes eight loop trails and one transverse trail connecting them. The latter trail, called Puntarska, is the longest trail in the area at 29 kilometers; the connecting trail, Vrhunska spojna staza, is the shortest at 8.5 kilometers. Spring is the best season for cycling activities on the mountain. One should always exercise caution, due to the presence of pedestrians, hikers and vehicles.

Trail 1 (Mirror Trail)

Markuševečka Trnava – Bidrovec – Gorsko zrcalo – Markuševečka Trnava

Trail length: 15.34 km

Elevation difference: 547 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 70% gravel and wide forest paths, 20% narrow trails, 10% asphalt

Trail 2 (Breathless Trail)

Pustodol – HPD Trail – Šestine – Pustodol

Trail length: 13 km

Elevation difference: 614 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 54% gravel and wide forest paths, 38% narrow trails, 8% asphalt

Trail 3 (Puntarska Trail)

Stubičke toplice – Donja Stubica – Golubovec – Gornja Stubica – Slani potok – Ročićeva sjenokoša – Lojzekov izvor – Pila – Stubičke Toplice

Trail length: 29 km

Elevation difference: 686 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 31% gravel and wide forest paths, 38% narrow trails, 31% asphalt

Trail 4 (Šimunska Trail)

Markuševec – Hunjka – Gorščica – Vidovec – Markuševečka Trnava – Markuševec

Trail length: 26 km

Elevation difference: 660 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 85% gravel and wide forest paths, 10% narrow trails, 5% asphalt

Trail 5 (Vrabečka trail)

Zelena magistrala – Grajfova kopanja – Sopot cascade – Zelena magistrala

Trail length: 20 km

Elevation difference: 531 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 35% gravel and wide forest paths, 25% narrow trails, 40% asphalt

Trail 6 (Bistra Trail)

Gornja Bistra – Rasuha – Oštrica – Jezero – Bistransko sedlo – Gornja Bistra

Trail length: 15.41 km

Elevation difference: 561 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 60% gravel and wide forest paths, 10% narrow trails, 30% asphalt

Trail 7 (Ethno Trail)

Plasišče kod Laza – Planina Gornja – Planina Donja – Lipa – Ročićeva sjenokoša – Plasišče

Trail length: 17 km

Elevation difference: 560 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 60% gravel and wide forest paths, 30% narrow trails, 10% asphalt

Trail 8 (Top Connecting Trail)

Žensko sedlo – Tomislavov dom – Sljeme (peak) – ski slopes – Činovnička livada – Sljeme chapel – Snow Queen – Krumpirište – Erberov put – Bistransko sedlo – Grafičar – Žensko sedlo

Trail length: 8.5 km

Elevation difference: 248 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 60% gravel and wide forest paths, 39% narrow trails, 1% asphalt

Trail 9 (Circular Trail)

Žensko sedlo – Grafičar – Bistransko sedlo – Grajfova kopanja – Risnjak – Falat – Grafičar (Rudarsko sedlo) – Žensko sedlo

Trail length: 9.4 km

Elevation difference: 292 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: 30% gravel and wide forest paths, 60% narrow trails, 10% asphalt

Enduro cycling trail "BK Opušteno"

Sljemenska Road, below the cable car route (the continuation of the trail is newly marked, leading along hiking trail 52 - HPD Trail) - Brestovac - peak of Cer - Pustodol

Trail length: 6 km

Elevation difference: 800 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Bicycle rental possibilities: Not available

Trail type: Forest path 100%

Gorsko zrcalo climbing site is a flat vertical rock on the mountain of Medvednica. Rock climbers are well acquainted with its appeal, and it continues to gain recognition as one of the key attractions of the area. Prepared for climbing since the 1960s, it has been attracting not only rock climbers, but also speleologists and members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service who use it as practice area.

Gorsko zrcalo

Excursion site Gorsko zrcalo is a flat vertical surface with dimensions approximately 20 x 20 meters, located next to the hiking trail 23. First prepared for climbing in the 1960s, Gorsko zrcalo serves as practicing grounds for rock climbers, speleologists and members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.

Number of routes: 8

Recommended time of year for visit: Summer

Route grade: 5b to 8a

Veternica cave is one of the symbols of Medvednica. With over seven kilometers of branching channels, it is the sixth cave in Croatia in terms of size, and continues to be explored until the present day. It is open for visitors, who can see water vortexes, a cave bear jaw, fossil mud and the Wishing Well in the Concert Hall.

Veternica cave

With over seven kilometers of channels in its complex channel network, Veternica is the sixth biggest Croatian cave, and its length keeps on "growing” following the explorations of hardworking speleologists of Zagreb. Curious tourists can also visit the first 380 meters of the cave, accompanied by professional guides as they discover some of its secrets. Even though it may not seem as attractive as some other caves popular as tourist destinations, Veternica is characterized by certain details that cannot be encountered all that often in other caves. Your guide will thus surely point out the diverse erosion forms caused by water vortexes, the jaw of a cave bear, fossil mud, stone waterfall, Well of Wishes in the Concert Hall, fossils of ancient bivalves and sea urchins, and other intriguing findings.

Veternica originated in a karst "pocket” in the southwestern part of Medvednica, due to water from the area of Ponikve disappearing underground along cracks in rocks. The cave represents the oldest archaeological site of Zagreb – its darkness includes evidence of turbulent life of the past millennia, from the Neanderthals to Roman soldiers and medieval robbers, to modern adventurers and tourists. The ancient inhabitants of Zagreb, Neanderthal hunters of the Mousterian culture, cherished the cult of the cave bear – a very frequent inhabitant of the cave. Other extinct animal species have also left their traces here, including the cave lion, leopard, cave hyena, rhinoceros, aurochs and giant deer. Today’s masters of the dark channels of Veternica are mysterious night flyers – the bats. As many as 18 bat species have been recorded in Veternica, and 12 bat species are regularly wintering in the cave. That is why the cave is not open to visitors during winter, in order to avoid disturbance of bats during the sensitive period of hibernation or winter sleep. Bats are also the reason why special bat-friendly grille doors have been installed at the entrance to Veternica. These doors allow free passage to bats, while preventing the entrance of unwanted visitors, thus safeguarding these strange small animals and their cave home. Due to its many values, Veternica was protected as a geomorphological monument of nature back in 1979. Therefore, if you are interested in seeing Medvednica in its true light, make sure to get acquainted with the mountain's dark side!

Length: 7200 m

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Accessible only with professional guides

Temperature: 10°C

Duration: 45 – 60 minutes

Note: In case of unfavorable weather forecast, there is no on-duty Park staff in front of the cave, and the cave cannot be visited.

Zrinski mine

Near the Grafičar mountain lodge, there is an area called Rudarski vrt or Miners’ Garden, a site where mining of precious metals represented one of the key human activities since ancient times. The Zrinski mine became operational in the 16th century, when galena ore as a source of silver was found in the area of Rudarski vrt. As a result, miners started digging tunnels through the subterranean world of Medvednica in their search for this precious metal. Work in the mine was extremely hard, with thirty or so miners manually extracting valuable ore in shifts that lasted ten to twelve hours, using nothing but hammers, wedges, picks and shovels in the process, as the dark tunnels of the mine were lit only by the flickering light of oil lamps and wax candles.

Despite their immense efforts, this mine never provided particularly abundant yield: it took as much as one ton of galena to obtain only half a kilo of silver! That is why the owners of the mine, members of the Zrinski family, stopped production in the mine already in the mid-17th century, leaving the mysterious underground of Medvednica to moisture, darkness and underground creatures. From time to time, the tranquility of the mine would be disturbed only by an occasional rockslide in abandoned tunnels. It was only in 2004 that the staff of the Medvednica Nature Park adapted the mine for visits. Since then, tunnels in the mine have been quite busy, as numerous visitors with colorful protection helmets listen to stories of hard work in the mine told by guides. Visitors can listen to conversations between miners and their manager (bergmeister) about an accident that just happened, as they watch wooden sculptures of miners, explore the site immersed in the sound of water drops and hammers hitting the rock, and touch the tools used in the mine at that time, in deep respect for the toil of miners.
Due to its inherent value, the Zrinski mine earned the status of protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia in 2006. Deeply respectful towards the generations of miners and everything that they have achieved, we invite you to visit their mine and to discover a small portion of its secrets.

Length: 150 m

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Accessible only with professional guides

Temperature: 12°C

Duration: 30 minutes

Note: In case of unfavorable weather forecast, there is no on-duty Park staff in front of the cave, and the cave cannot be visited.

Fishing on the Golubovec fish pond and Jarki sport and recreational fish pond is permitted for anglers who obtain the required license. Fish ponds receive water from creeks, and they are rich in fish species, such as the common carp, grass carp, Prussian carp and pike. Recommended time of year for visit is March to December.

Fish ponds Golubovec

The fish ponds of Golubovec obtain water from two small creeks. There are three fish ponds in total: the spawning area, the feeding area, and the fish pond for commercial fishing. The lakes also attract wild ducks that occasionally flock to the site in large numbers. When there are no people by the water, grey herons visit the ponds too. The lakes are home to pond turtles and thick-shelled river mussels. Even stone crayfish was discovered during cleaning operations, proving that the quality of water is very high.

The fish pond for fishing covers approximately 1.5 hectares in total. In addition to regular fishing, coarse angling competitions are sometimes held there as well, based on the calendar of the Sport Fishing Association of Krapinsko-zagorska County.

Fish habitats: Common carp, grass carp, Prussian carp, bleak, largemouth bass, pike, brown bullhead, chub.

Recommended time of year for visit: From March to December

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Partly accessible

Note: Fishing license (annual or daily) must be obtained prior to fishing. Daily fishing license costs 60.00 HRK. For additional information and purchase of licenses, please contact F. Hučić (cell 00385 (0)98 840 030) or fish guard Z. Vlahović (cell 00385 (0)98 969 6507).

Sport and recreation fish pond Jarki

The surface of sport and recreation fish pond Jarki is approximately 15,000 square meters, and the site is only a couple of kilometers away from the center of Stubičke Toplice. The lake is approximately 175 meters long, about 50 meters wide, and from three to five and a half meters deep. There are around fifty car parking spaces available around the fish pond, and the levees around the lake also serve as a walking trail with benches.

There is a fishing hut next to the fish pond, equipped with a large roofed terrace, three barbecues that can be used by visitors, and a toilet facility.

Fish habitats: Common carp, grass carp, tench, bleak, nase, Danube roach, common roach, rudd, chub, bleak, asp, largemouth bass, bream, gudgeon, barbel, ide, perch, Asian carp, silver bream, crucian carp.

Recommended time of year for visit: From March to December

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Accessible

Note: Fishing license (annual or daily) must be obtained prior to fishing. Daily fishing license costs 60.00 HRK (100.00 HRK on weekends). Additional information and licenses can be obtained at the Stubičke Toplice Tourist Office or the fishing hut. For more information, please contact J. Bejak (cell 00385 (0)99 218 2811).

The take-off site Medvednica is also known as Glistin start. It is a grass slope located near Jakovlje, at 550 meters above sea level. The landing area is not visible from the take-off site. Once in the air, flyers can enjoy an exciting view of the Oršić castle, which also serves as a highly useful landmark.

Take-off site Medvednica (Glistin start)

Take-off site Medvednica, also known as Glistin start, is located near the settlement of Jakovlje. The settlements of Donja Bistra, Kupljenovo, Hrušljevo Selo and Strmec Stubički are located along 2.5 nautical mile radius. The take-off site faces north. In addition to northerly (N), it is also possible to use northwesterly (NW) and northeasterly (NE) winds. The site is located at 550 meters above sea level, and the start is a rectangular grass slope 50 meters long and 40 meters wide, with a gradient of approximately 55°.

The landing site is not visible from the starting point. Immediately upon takeoff, fliers can see meadows to the left (towards the west) that can serve as alternative landing. The official landing site is a large parking lot at the base of Medvednica in the settlement of Gornja Bistra - a flat rectangular surface 100 m x 200 m in dimensions. The castle of Oršić located south of the large parking lot is very clearly visible from the air, and it can serve as orientation point.

Landing site: Gornja Bistra

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Partly accessible

Note: For additional information, please contact the person in charge and operator at the take-off and landing site Medvednica, Mr. Radoslav Eršek, paraglider pilot (cell: 00385 (0)91 339 0303).

Medvednica Nature Park includes ten well-equipped and thematically diverse educational trails. The Bliznec trail, starting at the most popular entrance to the Park bearing the same name, is fully wheelchair accessible. One of the impressive trails of Medvednica is known as 500 Horvat Stairs. Many would argue that the stone staircase built by Vladimir Horvat belongs to the most beautiful sites built by human hand.

Forest trail Bliznec

Bliznec forest trail is located at the most popular entrance to the Medvednica Nature Park, and its route follows the course of the Bliznec creek. The trail is unique due to the fact that it is fully accessible to persons with disabilities. If you pass through 800 meters of the trail and check out the information panels placed along the route, you will find out a lot about the vivid history of this part of Medvednica and its plant and animal life.

Since 2003, the trail also includes Stations of the Cross, with a number of believers congregating there every Good Friday in order to pass the 14 stations. In addition to being fully accessible to persons with disabilities and to families with small children, all information texts are also written in Braille, thus making them readable to persons with visual impairments. In order to protect the Braille texts against damage, they are placed in unique "forest books”. The trail is predominantly made of wood, and it blends nicely into the natural environment, ending at the Bliznec sawmill and a restaurant located there.

Trail length: 0.8 km

Duration: 15 min

Elevation difference: 20 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Accessible

Trail type: Walking path along the creek, with wood and concrete surface

Number of interpretation panels: 11

Note: All information panels and Stations of the Cross along the trail are also available in Braille.

Geological educational trail Miroslavec

A pleasant trail winding along the creek of Kraljevec through forest shade from Šestinski Lagvić to the popular excursion site Kraljičin zdenac attracts hikers wishing to experience pristine nature without much trouble. Count Miroslav Kulmer ordered the construction of the trail towards the end of the 19th century as a gift to his wife Elvira for her forest walks, and the trail was originally named after her.

Nowadays, the trail is called Miroslavec, and the pleasant walk along it also provides the opportunity to learn something new, since the trail passes through the oldest part of Medvednica. Information panels placed along the way explain the complex geological structure and history of Medvednica to numerous hikers in an interesting and simple manner. In approximately one hour, which is how long a hike along the trail takes, you will learn about the rocks you can see along the way, such as green and other varieties of shale and limestone, as well as about the fossils that can be found in such sediments. Miroslavec educational trail ends at the site of Kraljičin zdenac with a catering facility of the same name.

Trail length: 2.7 km

Duration: Approx. 1 hour

Elevation difference: 180 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 8

Notee: The trail was renovated towards the end of 2010, following major damage. The current trail includes a short bypass approximately 100 meters long (outside of the Kraljevec creek canyon).

500 Horvat stairs

According to many, five hundred stone stairs are the most impressive and the most beautiful site built by human hand on the mountain of Medvednica. Vladimir Horvat was a journalist, publisher, tireless photo reporter and a major mountain enthusiast. In 1946, he began building a series of stone stairs in a wild and inaccessible limestone karst area above the creek of Bistri jarek. After seven years of persistent work, excursionists finally got the chance to discover this hidden site of unique beauty.

As visitors climb the stairs, they can explore small dark caves, discover wonderful viewpoints, look into deep abysses and sinkholes, touch sharp edges of limestone karrens and read information panels along the route as they learn about these karst phenomena and the valuable and endangered yew and linden forest that this unique staircase passes through. At the very bottom of the stairs, next to a creek, there is a small forest excursion site of Srnec with wooden benches and shelter against rain, where visitors can relax a little as they listen to the sounds of the forest.
Five hundred Horvat stairs are fully immersed in nature, as if they have always been the constituent part of this rocky karst terrain – a vivid proof of how man and nature can indeed coexist. Even today, around fifty years after their construction, they still represent a favorite spot of hikers and excursionists.

The site can be reached along a marked hiking trail from the mountain lodge Hunjka, or by car (by taking the road towards the Zagorje region and stopping at a curve with a small parking lot to the left and a large panel with the inscription "500 Horvatovih stuba”).

Trail length: 0.3 km

Duration: 10 min

Elevation difference: 117 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 7

Educational trail Bistra

The northern side of Medvednica is "wilder" than its southern side. Steep slopes covered in dense forest, with mountain creeks cut deep into them, seem rather inaccessible and inhospitable, so few excursionists decide to walk the meandering forest trails in the area. However, that hasn’t always been the case – until the middle of the 20th century, the inhabitants of Bistra and surrounding settlements regularly walked the steep paths of Bistranska gora, as they carried their products to the fruit and vegetable market in Zagreb or collected forest fruits, medicinal plants and fuel wood. Hunters and charcoal makers wandered along these paths, and miners and mining engineers also explored the area for some time, in search for precious silver found in the depths of the mountain in small quantities.

Bistra educational trail keeps bringing new visitors to the tranquil forests of the mountain - nature enthusiasts who wish to experience Medvednica in its natural beauty, to have fun and exercise, to clear one's thoughts and learn something about the mountain, its forests and diverse species living in it.
The Bistra trail begins at the old school in Gornja Bistra and leads towards Medvednica passing next to the baroque castle of the Oršić family, once called "Karjonka” by the locals, after the last owner of the castle, French count Carion. Before the trail starts steeply climbing up the mountain, it brings us back into ancient history, like a time machine, to the period when Medvednica was an island in an ancient ocean with volcanoes in its depths. Today, volcanic rocks clearly visible in the abandoned quarry at the very entrance to the Nature Park serve as a reminder of that period. If you decide to enter deeper into the mountain, information panels placed along the route will reveal many secrets of Medvednica to you: how come that the water rising from the sulphur water source smells like rotten eggs; how can one distinguish between fir and spruce; which forest fruits have been harvested by the locals since ancient times; what does the anthill of forest ants look like; which animals live in the clear creeks of Medvednica; how many spines does a hedgehog have; and many other secrets.
This loop trail climbs high into the mountain, passing across the mountain ridge to the southern side of the mountain and leading all the way to the Zrinski mine. The tour of the entire trail takes four to seven hours, depending on how much time the hikers decide to dedicate to enjoying the wonders of the forest, observing the hills of Zagorje, resting on forest glades or wondering along hidden forest paths. That is why it is not necessary to cover the entire trail at once; instead, you can return to it on multiple occasions, in order to rest, have some fun and clear your mind on Bistra (meaning "clear" in Croatian).

Trail length: 12.5 km

Duration: 4 to 7 hours

Elevation difference: 580 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 28

Slani potok

This educational trail, designed in cooperation between the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution and the Municipality of Gornja Stubica, begins on the northern slopes of the mountain, in the settlement of Gornja Stubica, near the famous linden tree named after Matija Gubec, the leader of the Peasant Revolt in medieval times.

We warmly recommend a pleasant two-hour walk along the marked trail to the medieval salt mine that was used for the extraction of this precious commodity as early as in the 14th century. Information panels placed along the trail include many interesting stories about the natural, cultural and historical values of this part of the mountain, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn how was mining performed in the Middle Ages, how did salt end up below ground, and why the water of the creek is salty. According to historical records, people of the area, faced with the shortage of salt in the past, used water from salty wells called šokoti. There is a rain shelter with benches and tables for rest at the saltwater source. The picturesque village of Slani Potok with the chapel of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian can also be reached by car.

Trail length: 4.4 km

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

Elevation difference: 240 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 7

Sopot cascade

This combined trail providing insight into the natural and cultural values of the Park is intended for a wider public, and it is regularly maintained.

Trail length: 3.7 km

Duration: Approx. 1 hour

Elevation difference: 180 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 7

Kameni svati

This combined trail providing insight into the natural and cultural values of the Park is intended for a wider public, and it is regularly maintained. The trail includes resting areas with benches and tables, and it ends with a catering facility.

Trail length: 2.8 km

Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours

Elevation difference: 320 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 9

Gorsko zrcalo

Trail length: 0.9 km

Duration: 15 min

Elevation difference: 243 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 9

Mary's Pilgrimage Route

This pilgrimage trail is equipped with panels providing information about the route. It is intended for a wider public, and it is regularly maintained. The trail includes resting areas with benches and tables.

Trail length: Approx. 50 km

Elevation difference: 750 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Trail type: Forest path

Number of interpretation panels: 7

Note: The panels placed along the trail are translated into English, German and Slovenian, and the trail leads all the way to Marija Bistrica.

Geological pillar

The geological pillar presents the development of continents and oceans across various geological periods, together with the development of life and various types of rocks and fossils in the sediments of Medvednica. The pillar includes representative samples of rocks taken from the mountain.

Trail length: Single location

Duration: 10 min

Elevation difference: 245 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Number of interpretation panels: 2

Schools in nature provide various programs aimed at acquainting elementary school pupils with all the attractions and phenomena of Medvednica, ranging from plant and animal world to geology, subterranean world and cultural and historical heritage. The mountain also serves as an extraordinarily valuable learning site in nature, in the immediate vicinity of a major city.

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: "Suppose I were a tree?"

What is a tree made of? How does it breathe? What does it need to survive? Why does it have a crown, and why the roots? Children will get answers to these and many other questions in this fun and active team workshop/playroom, as they learn that even the mighty forest needs our help and protection.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Forest products and fruits

It is easy to notice that items made of wood are produced from trees. However, there are many products closely connected with wood where things may not be so obvious. This activity will make the pupils discover the diversity and huge number of products that depend on wood in one way or another. Not only that - without plants, we wouldn't be able to enjoy many of our favorite dishes.

Activities in this workshop will make pupils think about the major role of plants in our daily nutrition, as they discover all kinds of products in their daily lives that depend on forests.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: The network of life

What is forest ecosystem, and which role do producers, consumers and decomposers play in it? What are food chains, food webs and pyramids? Which animals are herbivores, and which are carnivores? The purpose of this workshop is to make pupils learn through their own experience, as they realize how all ecosystem members are linked and dependent on each other.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Birds and worms

Mimicry is an important adaptation strategy in the animal kingdom. In this workshop, pupils learn about the value of mimicry by playing birds in search of colorful worms and insects. Pupils thus learn that some organisms are truly poisonous, while other organisms only mimic the poisonous ones. Pupils will also discover the importance of intense colors in nature.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Orientation

Despite technology, many people lose their way from time to time, even on a seemingly harmless mountain such as Medvednica. This workshop will enable children to find their way in nature by learning orientation skills. How to discover where north is? How to read all those strange symbols on maps? How to position the map properly, in order to find out where you are?

How to use the compass, and how to use the position of the Sun, shadows and stars? What is azimuth, and how do you find treasure with its help. How can hiking markings help us in all of this? Children are bound to enjoy this orientation adventure, as they learn how to find their way on the mountain.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Bats

How many times have you heard panicky remarks such as: "Yuck! Bats are horrible! They drink blood!" Or: "Oh no! There's a bat flying around - it'll end up in my hair!" Children learn such prejudice from adults, but that doesn't mean that children can't teach adults that such claims are simply not true. This workshop focuses on overcoming prejudice.

It teaches children what bats actually use as food, how do they live, and why they actually play a very useful role in nature. They will also learn about various threats that bats are facing, and the reasons why they are protected. Children will also learn that bats are not blind at all, as they learn about the meaning of echolocation - "watching" with the help of ears. By attempting to use their own ears in order to find out where they are, children will learn that watching by listening is by no means easy, and that bats deserve our deep respect and protection!

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Forest adventure

If you wish to spend a dynamic, fun and educational day in nature with your pupils, this is the right program for you! Keywords that describe this program are: cooperation, play, inventiveness, education, trust, skillfulness, speed, challenge, strength, coordination, resourcefulness, teamwork! Through carefully chosen games and a lot of laughter, pupils learn about the importance of nature protection, acquire skills enabling them to tackle new situations, and build their capacity to cooperate and provide support to peers.

In addition to its educational component, this program strengthens self-confidence of pupils, as well as team spirit and team relations.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Nature protection forum

This exercise is intended for pupils in senior elementary school grades, and the aim is to get them actively involved in discussion, as they defend the positions of their group. Pupils also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the essentials of nature protection legislation.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 5 to 8)

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to Medvedgrad

A tour of the medieval town of Medvedgrad with Park guide. The program takes approximately 45 minutes and includes a tour of the old town of Medvedgrad with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar).

Target age group: All pupil groups

Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on group size)

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the Zrinski mine

Tour of the Zrinski mine with Park guide. Zrinski mine is the first mine in Croatia adapted for tourist visits. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes, acquainting pupils with mining in the Middle Ages and with details about the life of miners in ancient times. Pupils learn how ore was extracted, which tools did miners use, where silver is hidden and what it was used for in the past. Sound effects that include the voices of miners add to the experience.

Target age group: All pupil groups

Duration: 30 minutes

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Note: The temperature in the mine ranges approximately from 10°C to 12°C. Therefore, visitors are recommended to take suitable (layered) clothes. Suitable sport footwear is recommended as well.

Visit to the cave of Veternica

Tour of the cave of Veternica with Park guide. The tour takes approximately one hour, enabling pupils to discover many secrets of the Medvednica underground. Pupils learn about the origin of the name of Veternica, archaeological excavations, geology (rocks that the cave is made of), impact of water on cave formation, the time when the Pannonian Sea encircled the mountain, the cave bear whose bones were found in situ, fossils of bivalves and sea urchins, the Neanderthals, and the current inhabitants of the cave - bats.

Target age group: All pupil groups

Duration: 1 hour

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Note: The temperature in the cave is approximately 10°C. Therefore, visitors are recommended to take suitable (layered) clothes. Suitable sport footwear is recommended as well.

Visit to Medvedgrad + Educational program "Forest around us"

Visitors choose two out of eight topics of the educational program on offer (listed in the Schools in Nature category). Upon arriving to the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, pupils are divided into groups (depending on the number of participants). Three groups then consecutively go through the tour of the old town of Medvedgrad and chosen educational programs.

Each group also listens to the introductory presentation about the general characteristics of the Park, code of conduct, forest as the key natural phenomenon of the area, and characteristics of protected areas in Croatia. Every group has its own guide.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the Zrinski mine + Educational program "Forest around us"

Visitors choose two out of eight topics of the educational program on offer (listed in the Schools in Nature category). Upon arriving to the Zrinski mine in the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, pupils are divided into groups (depending on the number of participants). Three groups then consecutively go through the tour of the mine and chosen educational programs.

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the cave of Veternica + Educational program "Forest around us"

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: Depending on the number of pupils

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad

Upon arriving to the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, what follows is the tour of the Zrinski mine with Park guide. Zrinski mine is the first mine in Croatia adapted for tourist visits. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes, acquainting pupils with mining in the Middle Ages and with details about the life of miners in ancient times. Pupils learn how ore was extracted, which tools did miners use, where silver is hidden and what it was used for in the past. Sound effects that include the voices of miners add to the experience.

After the visit to the mine, what follows is a short ride to Medvedgrad coupled with approximately 10 minutes of hiking to the old town. Upon arriving to Medvedgrad, the program includes a tour of the old town with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar).

Target age group: All pupil groups

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad + visit to the cave of Veternica

Upon arriving to Medvedgrad, the program includes a tour of the old town with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar). After the tour of Medvedgrad, what follows is a bus ride to the cave (approx. one hour) coupled with an easy 25-minute walk to the cave, followed by a tour of the cave of Veternica with Park guide. The tour takes approximately one hour, enabling pupils to discover many secrets of the Medvednica underground. Pupils learn about the origin of the name of Veternica, archaeological excavations, geology (rocks that the cave is made of), impact of water on cave formation, the time when the Pannonian Sea encircled the mountain, the cave bear whose bones were found in situ, fossils of bivalves and sea urchins, the Neanderthals, and the current inhabitants of the cave - bats.

Target age group: Park tour – 6th grade

Duration: 4 to 6 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Note: The temperature in the cave and in the mine is approximately 10°C throughout the year. Therefore, visitors are recommended to take suitable (layered) clothes. Suitable sport footwear is recommended as well.

Deciduous forest

Upon arriving to the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, pupils first listen to the introductory presentation about the general characteristics of the Park, code of conduct, forest as the key natural phenomenon of the area, characteristics of protected areas in Croatia, and the concept of Natura 2000 areas. Pupils learn about the characteristics of continental deciduous forest by spending time in the forest.

They learn, for example, that they are located in the peak zone of mixed beech and fir forest, and that the elevation at which they are located represents a lower zone of continental deciduous forests in general. Park staff explains the concept of deciduous and coniferous forest by using the examples of fir, spruce, beech and other tree species, teaching pupils how to distinguish between beech and fir. Pupils also learn that forests change with elevation (with different species characterizing various elevations). The program includes detailed description of beech; explanation of stratification in vegetation; difference between dark forests and light forests; characteristic species in various forest types; links between plants and animals (food chain, nutrient cycle, maintenance of balance); non-market forest functions; threats to forests; and how people can help nature conservation and protection.

Target age group: Park tour – 6th grade

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Visit to the Zrinski mine with expert tour (deciduous forest) and a visit to Medvedgrad

Upon arriving to the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, pupils go through the tour of the Zrinski mine with Park guide. Zrinski mine is the first mine in Croatia adapted for tourist visits. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes, acquainting pupils with mining in the Middle Ages and with details about the life of miners in ancient times. Pupils learn how ore was extracted, which tools did miners use, where silver is hidden and what it was used for in the past. Sound effects that include the voices of miners add to the experience. After the tour of the mine, what follows is a walk to Medvedgrad, while acquainting pupils with the phenomenon of the continental deciduous forest along the way.

Upon arriving to Medvedgrad, pupils go through the tour of the old town with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar).

Target age group: Elementary school (grades 1 to 5)

Duration: 2.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Note: The temperature in the mine ranges approximately from 10°C to 12°C. Therefore, visitors are recommended to take suitable (layered) clothes. Suitable sport footwear is recommended as well.

Šestine – Miroslavec – Kraljičin zdenac – Medvedgrad

After meeting at the parking lot at the cemetery of Šestine, participants learn the basics about the area of Šestine, the church of Šestine and Kulmer Castle, coupled with a walk to the entry to the Park. At the initial information panels, pupils are acquainted with the general characteristics of the Park, code of conduct, forest as the key natural phenomenon of the area, and characteristics of protected areas in Croatia. We then move on to the Miroslavec educational trail, where we explain the complex geological history and structure of Medvednica with the help of educational panels, looking at rocks in situ.

The panels present information about the rocks that can be seen along the way, such as green shale, clay shale, limestone layers of the mountain and fossils that can be found in such material. Walking along the trail, we reach the water source of Kraljičin zdenac, where pupils are briefly informed on this site, and then we move on towards Medvedgrad. Upon reaching Medvedgrad, what follows is the tour of the old town with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar). After the tour of Medvedgrad, we walk back towards Šestine through the forest.

Target age group: All pupil groups

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: Spring

Suitable for individual / group visits: Group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Horvat Stairs are visited by those who truly fall in love with Medvednica, and many decide to explore them with expert guidance. Publicist Vladimir Horvat personally carved these stairs in stone in 1946, thus leaving an eternal reminder of what human hands and nature can do together. At the base of the stairs, there is a resting site next to a creek. In addition to the Horvat Stairs tour, other available tours include Gorsko zrcalo or Mountain Mirror tour and other tours covering notable sites on the mountain, from the old town of Medvedgrad to the cave of Veternica.

Visit to the medieval town of Medvedgrad

Tour of the medieval town of Medvedgrad with Park guide takes approximately 45 minutes and includes a walk around the old town with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar).

Duration: 45 – 60 minutes

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to November

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: Prior arrangement and notice required for visits of larger groups to the Medvednica Nature Park. Applications to the Public Institution in charge of the Park can be made by phone or e-mail. Visitors are advised to check opening times on the Park website because of seasonal changes.

Zrinski mine

Tour of the Zrinski mine with Park guide. Zrinski mine is the first mine in Croatia adapted for tourist visits, where visitors can search for silver themselves. The mine allows visitors to experience the Middle Ages, to "meet" the miners and hear the sounds of their toil, as they feel the smell of the underground and its coldness and moisture.

The tour takes approximately 30 minutes, acquainting visitors with mining in the Middle Ages and with details about the life of miners in ancient times. Visitors learn how ore was extracted, which tools did miners use, where silver is hidden and what it was used for in the past. Sound effects that include the voices of miners add to the experience. Visit to the mine can be accompanied with a walk to the nearby chapel of St. Jacob, built where the previous chapel of St. Barbara - the patron saint of miners - once stood.

Duration: 30 minutes

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: This program is also available in English, and interpretation is required for other languages. In July and August, the mine can be visited only on Sundays and holidays from 11:00 to 17:00. On working days, visits are possible by arrangement with the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution for groups of not less than 20 visitors. Visits to the mine are permitted only with a guide authorized by the Public Institution. In case of very bad weather, there is no Park staff on duty in front of the mine, and the mine cannot be visited! Protection helmets are provided for use to all visitors. Persons suffering from claustrophobia are advised to refrain from visiting subterranean areas.

Veternica cave

The program includes a visit to the longest cave in the continental part of Croatia, only 9 kilometers away from the main square of Zagreb. The tour of the part of the cave open for tourist visits takes approximately one hour, revealing many secrets of the subterranean world of Medvednica. Visitors learn about the origin of the name of Veternica, archaeological excavations, geology (rocks that the cave is made of), impact of water on cave formation, the time when the Pannonian Sea encircled the mountain, the cave bear whose bones were found in situ, fossils of bivalves and sea urchins hidden in the rocks, and the current inhabitants of the cave - bats.

Special attractions include the sculptures of Neanderthals who used the cave and hunted bears in it, as testified by the cult of the cave bear.

Duration: 45 – 60 minutes

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: This program is also available in English, and interpretation is required for other languages. In July and August, the cave can be visited only on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00. On working days, visits are possible by arrangement with the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution for groups of not less than 20 visitors. In case of adverse weather forecast, there is no Park staff on duty in front of the cave, and the cave cannot be visited! Visits to the cave are permitted only with a guide authorized by the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution.

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad + visit to the cave of Veternica

Upon arriving to the Medvednica Nature Park at the scheduled time, what follows is a tour of the Zrinski mine with Park guide. Zrinski mine is the first mine in Croatia adapted for tourist visits. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes, acquainting visitors with mining in the Middle Ages and with details about the life of miners in ancient times. Visitors learn how ore was extracted, which tools did miners use, where silver is hidden and what it was used for in the past. Sound effects that include the voices of miners add to the experience.

Following the visit to the mine, what follows is a brief ride to Medvedgrad coupled with a 10-minute walk to the old town. Upon arriving to Medvedgrad, a walk around the old town follows next, with explanation of its history and structure. The program includes elaboration of the legend of the Black Queen; a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar). Following the tour of Medvedgrad, what follows is a bus ride to the cave of Veternica (approx. one hour) coupled with an easy 25-minute walk to the cave. The tour of the cave with Park guide takes approximately one hour, revealing many secrets of the subterranean world of Medvednica. Visitors learn about the origin of the name of Veternica, archaeological excavations, geology (rocks that the cave is made of), impact of water on cave formation, the time when the Pannonian Sea encircled the mountain, the cave bear whose bones were found in situ, fossils of bivalves and sea urchins, the Neanderthals, and the current inhabitants of the cave - bats.

Duration: 4 to 6 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: The temperature in the cave and in the mine is around 10°C throughout the year. Visitors are therefore advised to bring adequate (layered) clothes. Sport footwear is recommended as well.

Medvedgrad and Kraljičin zdenac – a walk shrouded in legend

There are many legends about the area of the Nature Park. The best-known legend is the one about the notorious Black Queen (Barbara of Celje, the wife of King Sigismund), who had her young lovers killed when she got bored of them. According to legend, one of her lovers was Count Dracula himself. The program takes visitors to sites where these legends were made: to Kraljičin zdenac (Queen's Well) and Medvedgrad.

The tour of the medieval town includes explanation of its history and structure. The program includes a visit to the southern tower with a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the city of Zagreb and the mountain; projection of a film about the Park; exhibition about Medvedgrad in Veliki palas; tour of the memorial site Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar).

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: This program is also available in English. Interpretation is required for other languages.

Easy hike to the peak of Medvednica

This program includes an easy walk along the peak zone of Medvednica, with a tour of a small chapel of Sljeme (Chapel of Our Lady of Sljeme, Queen of Croatia). Visitors are acquainted with the unique characteristics of the Park and peak zone vegetation. The tour includes the highest peak with the viewpoint offering views of the region of Zagorje, the well-known meadow of Činovnička livada, and the Sljeme chapel.

The tour starts with a bus ride to the tourist facility Snježna Kraljica, and continues with a walk towards the chapel. After the tour of the chapel, we proceed across Činovnička livada to the highest peak of Medvednica and the viewpoint on the peak.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: This program is also available in English. Interpretation is required for other languages.

500 Horvat Stairs

This program includes a visit to a hidden oasis on Medvednica - Horvat Stairs. Located below the meadow of Hunjka, these stairs are one of the most romantic places on Medvednica - a site that combines nature and the work of human hands. In 1946, Vladimir Horvat - a journalist, publicist and a major mountain enthusiast - carved these stairs into stone himself. At the base of the stairs, there is a resting area along a creek, where it is possible to bring food as part of tourist agency programs (barbecuing available).

Duration: 1.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Gorsko zrcalo

Gorsko zrcalo is one of the most attractive natural phenomena in the Nature Park. Signposts and panels directing visitors to the site provide information about the Park. Not far from the rock of Gorsko zrcalo, there is a creek with a small wooden bridge leading across it to a rain shelter with benches and tables. This resting area allows visitors to get some rest as they listen to the murmur of the creek and watch the amazing natural phenomenon of Gorsko zrcalo.

It is possible to bring food to the resting area by the creek as part of tourist agency programs (barbecuing available). During the sweet chestnut season, it is also possible to organize a sweet chestnut food fest.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Recommended time of year for visit: From April to the end of October

Suitable for individual / group visits: Individual and group visits

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Note: This program is also available in English. Interpretation is required for other languages.

Visitors can find accommodation in mountain lodges or hotels. Medvednica provides a diverse catering offer, including traditional dishes enjoyed by hikers, such as bean stew with sausage, as well as local culinary specialties. Visitors are advised to check opening times prior to visit.

Mountain lodge - Glavica

The mountain lodge is located at 420 meters above sea level, and it can be reached by climbing from the direction of Gornji Stenjevec, or by descending from the meadow of Ponikve (both routes take approximately 30 minutes of hiking).

This site is a monument of sorts of the people's labor movement, because it was built by volunteer work of the workers of Zagreb in 1936. These workers were mostly members of the mountaineering society Prijatelj prirode (Friend of Nature), including many members of the resistance movement in World War II. The mountain lodge is a two-storey facility with a wooden attic that serves as accommodation area. In 1984, the mountain lodge was renovated, and a new wing was added to it for catering purposes. In front of the lodge, there is a spacious terrace with benches offering views of the city.

Important information:

Opening times:

working days (except Mondays) from 9:00 to 17:00

Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 20:00

Overnight accommodation: 30 beds.

Contact:

Cell: 00385(0)98 458 404 (Miro Bilić)

Mountain lodge - Grafičar

In 1954, the mountaineering society Grafičar built a mountain lodge on the site of Rudarsko sedlo below the mountain lodge Crveni križ (Red Cross) at Malo Sljeme. The mountain lodge Grafičar is located at 864 meters above sea level. It is protected against wind and surrounded by dense forest, next to a clearing excellent for play and rest. The facility is a single-storey building with an attic that serves as accommodation area.

The ground level includes kitchen and dining area, with the bedrooms upstairs. This facility characterized by a wooden facade and gable roof has a significant landscape value coupled with its surroundings, and it represents an element of identity of Medvednica. In the immediate vicinity of the mountain lodge, there are remains of mining pits and galleries, also known as Zrinski mines. Back in the 17th century, the noble family of Zrinski exploited these mines in order to obtain silver from galena ore.

Important information:

Opening times:

working days (except Mondays) from 9:00 to 21:00

Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 21:00

Overnight accommodation: only for members of the mountaineering society Grafičar.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 455 5844

Cell: 00385 (0)98 783 084 (Krešimir Crnić)

Mountain lodge - Grofica

Catering facility Grofica is located on the Sljemenska Road below Činovnička livada, next to the mountain lodge Željezničar. It was built thanks to the enthusiasm and financial contributions of its builders.

Important information:

Opening times:

from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 20:00

Overnight accommodation: 19 beds in 5 rooms.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 455 9701

Cell: 00385 (0)91 519 5428

Mountain lodge - Lipa

Mountain lodge Lipa is located at 709 meters above sea level. It was built by the Croatian mountaineering society HPD Lipa Sesvete in 1967. Next to the lodge, there is an iron pyramid 8 meters high. Built in 1970, the pyramid offers lovely views of the regions of Zagorje and Posavina. There is a chapel near the lodge.

Important information:

Opening times:

weekends (throughout the year) and holidays, except Easter and Christmas.

Overnight accommodation: 24 beds.

Contact:

Cell: 00385 (0)98 894 653 (Ivan Lamešić)

Mountain hut - Lojzekov izvor

The mountain hut is located in the area called Podrtine at 400 meters above sea level. There is a source of drinking water next to the hut, called Lojzekov izvor after the nickname of Alojz Lažec from Podgora who made it accessible to visitors. The mountain hut was built by the mountaineering society Stubičan in 1979.

Important information:

Opening times: by arrangement. There are no supplies in the facility.

Contact:

Cell:

00385 (0)98 174 7638 (Ines Krušelj-Vidas),
00385 (0)91 238 0501 (Danijel Kuren)

Mountain hut - Kameni svati

The mountain hut is located on a glade in the immediate vicinity of picturesque dolomite rocks that gave rise to a legend of a wedding procession turned into stone, and near the peak of Kameni svati (489 m.a.s.l.). The mountain hut was built by the mountaineering society Susedgrad in 1982. Near the site, there are ruins of a facility Kolarićeva kuća from 1938, which served as tavern in the past.

Important information:

Opening times:

Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 332 3788

Cell: 00385 (0)98 355 446 (Nikola Sedmak)

Web: www.pdsusedgrad.hr

Mountain lodge - Mala Hunjka

The mountain lodge is located at 875 meters above sea level. It can be reached in approximately one hour of easy hiking along the ridge of Medvednica. The clearing in front of the lodge, equipped with benches for rest, offers magnificent views of the region of Hrvatsko zagorje and the hills of Slovenia.

Important information:

Opening times:

daily from 9:00 to 21:00, except Mondays.

Overnight accommodation: 20 beds (in multi-bed rooms). Prior arrangement required for overnight stays.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 461 4355

Cell: 00385 (0)99 401 2840

E-mail: [email protected]

Mountain lodge - Puntijarka (Ivan Pačkovski)

Mountain lodge Ivan Pačkovski is located at 957 meters above sea level. The construction of the facility, originally conceived as a recuperation facility for students, began in 1949. A bit later, in 1954, the building was completed by the mountaineering society Zagreb, which named it after Ivan Pačkovski, its former president and the initiator of the construction. The lodge is located below the peak of Puntijarka, next to a wide clearing with benches for rest and recreation of excursionists.

Important information:

Opening times:

working days from 9:00 to 21:00

Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 to 21:00.

Overnight accommodation: 30 beds in rooms with 5 and 6 beds per room in mountain lodge style, only for members of the mountaineering society Zagreb – Matica.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 458 0384

Cell: 00385 (0)91 788 7063 (Božica Glaser)

Mountain lodge - Risnjak

This mountain lodge was built by the mountaineering society Risnjak in 1955. The lodge is located on a forest glade at the site of Pongračeva lugarnica, at 700 meters above sea level. There is a large area for rest around the lodge, offering wonderful views of Zagreb. This site can be reached by car, by taking a branch of the Sljemenska Road. In the immediate vicinity of the mountain lodge, there is a facility built for the Zagreb Forestry in 1940, which stands at the site of the former ranger station called Pongračeva lugarnica. The mountain lodge is a single-storey building with a basement covered in stone, the central section with a wooden facade, and an attic.

Important information:

Opening times:

Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 19:00.

Overnight accommodation: 12 beds, only for mountaineering society members.

Contact:

Cell:

00385 (0)98 135 1485 (Tihomir Kruhonja),
00385 (0)91 573 3143 (Nataša Radušić)

Mountain lodge - Runolist

Mountain lodge Runolist is located at 830 meters above sea level. It was built by the mountaineering society Runolist in 1936. It is located on the southern slopes of the central part of Medvednica, deep in the dense forest, not far from the Sljemenska Road. Near the lodge, there is a water source that can be reached in some 10 minutes of hiking. The water source is located below a rock called Šumarev grob (Forester's Grave). From that site onwards, it takes approximately 10 minutes of a relatively steep climb to get to the mountain lodge at Puntijarka.

Important information:

Opening times:

daily from 8:00 to 20:00, if needed from 00:00 to 24:00.

Overnight accommodation: 30 beds.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 455 7519

Cell: 00385 (0)98 458 404 (Miro Bilić)

Mountain lodge - Vugrovec

This mountain lodge was built by the workers of the postal company PTT from Zagreb in 1954. Hikers can reach the mountain lodge Vugrovec by descending to it from the direction of Lipa, or they can explore the mountain starting from this mountain lodge in the direction of Lipa and other directions.

Important information:

Opening times:

weekends from 9:00 to 21:00.

Overnight accommodation: 20 beds (only for mountaineering society members).

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 387 2679

Cell:

00385 (0)98 479 835 (Žarko Nikšić),
00385 (0)91 539 5817 (Anđelko Orač),
00385 (0)98 902 8331 (Zlatica Krošelj)

Mountain lodge - Dom Crvenog križa

Mountain lodge Dom Crvenog križa (Red Cross Lodge) is located on the peak of Malo Sljeme (959 m.a.s.l.). It was built in 1932, and then renovated and expanded based on the design by architect Andrija Mutnjaković in 1984. The facility has 64 beds and a dining area that can seat 100 persons. It is used for School in Nature programs. In the courtyard of the facility there is a chapel of St. Francis, a bronze sculpture of a bear, and a fountain.

Important information:

The facility is intended for Schools in Nature program.

Contact:

Phone:

00385 (0)1 455 5836
00385 (0)1 455 5855

Tourist apartments - Apartmanska kuća Snježna Kraljica

Apartment facility Snježna Kraljica (Snow Queen) is located on the peak ridge of Sljeme, next to the central hiking trail leading to the Chapel of Our Lady, Queen of Croatia and to the ski slopes of Sljeme. This apartment facility is an ideal destination for active vacation and business events. Explore this site and discover for yourself whether it is more beautiful in springtime, more fun in summer, more romantic in autumn, or at its very best in winter.

Important information:

Opening times: from 00:00 to 24:00.

Overnight accommodation: 17 apartments.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 460 4555
Fax: 00385 (0)1 642 9363
E-mail: [email protected]

Hotel - Tomislavov dom

Hotel Tomislavov dom is located at 1006 meters above sea level, some five minutes of hiking away from the upper cable car station. This superb jewel of Croatian and world architecture of the 1930s was designed by the renowned architect Stjepan Planić, featuring a Y-shaped floor plan never before used in Croatia. Built in 1935, the hotel is adapted to the terrain, and its materials (green shale, wood) blend into the surrounding landscape in a way that provides it with additional value. Planić's design of Tomislavov dom has been recognized as a superb example of modern architecture, relevant at the international level. The facility suffered several fires in the course of its history, and it serves as a hotel today.

Important information:

Opening times: from 00:00 to 24:00.

Number of rooms: 42 (41 regular rooms + 1 room equipped for persons with disabilities); 86 beds.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 456 0400
Fax: 00385 (0)1 456 0401
E-mail: [email protected]

Catering facility - Pilana Bliznec

The Bliznec sawmill is located at the first sharp turn of the Sljemenska Road, right at the point where that road starts ascending steeply up the mountain. Built in 1898 next to what was once a city toll gate, the sawmill was producing wheelbarrows. It underwent several renovations until its demise in World War II. The Zagreb Forestry renovated the site in 1992, when a small museum was opened there, and the surroundings were turned into an excursion site. There is a catering facility within the sawmill building.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 9:00 to 23:00.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 458 6455

Cell: 00385 (0)99 333 4433 (Roman Topolnik)

Restaurant - Jezero

The restaurant is located next to the lower station of the ski lift Trosjed and the artificial lake serving as water reservoir for artificial snow used on ski slopes. The site can be reached from the region of Zagorje along a road from Gornja Bistra.

Important information:

Opening times: from 8:00 to 21:00 (during the winter season).

Contact:

Cell: 00385 (0)91 201 5558 (Darko Sobota)

Restaurant - Šestinski Lagvić

This restaurant with a very long tradition is located on the foothills of Medvednica. The terrace offers wonderful views of Zagreb, and the restaurant is designed in the autochthonous style of the city area of Šestine with traditional motifs.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 10:00 to 24:00.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 467 4417
Fax: 00385 (0)1 467 4528
E-mail: [email protected]

Catering facility - Kraljičin zdenac

This recently built facility called Kraljičin zdenac or Queen's Well is located next to one of the strongest springs of the creek of Kraljevec. It was named after the notorious Black Queen, most likely Barbara of Celje, who owned an estate here according to legend. This site is valuable not only due to its cultural and historical significance and unique ambiance, but also as a testimony of tradition.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 10:00 to 19:00, except Mondays.

Contact:

Cell:

00385 (0)92 269 1277,
00385 (0)98 318 745 (Marko Grgić)

Catering facility - Lugareva kuća

Lugareva kuća is a facility located next to the asphalted Sljemenska Road, near the site of Kraljičin zdenac. The facility can be reached from Šestine along hiking trail 13, a major and popular hiking route. Lugareva kuća offers refreshment in a wonderful ambiance at favorable prices.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 9:00 to 21:00, except Mondays.

Contact:

Cell: 00385 (0)92 298 5555 (Kristijan)

Catering facility - Lugarnica Sljeme

This renovated and hospitable ranger station is home to a pleasant inn called Stara lugarnica (Old Ranger Station), gladly receiving hikers and all visitors under its roof.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 9:00 to 21:00, except Mondays.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 458 0009

Cell: 00385 (0)98 664 414 (Ljerka Opuhač)

Catering facility - Vidikovac-Sljeme

Catering facility and viewpoint Vidikovac is located on the very peak of Medvednica (1033 m.a.s.l.). Its spacious sunny terrace offers amazing views of the region of Hrvatsko zagorje.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 9:00 to 21:00, except Mondays.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 455 5829

Cell: 00385(0)91 201 5558 (Darko Sobota)

Catering facility - Gorščica (Kaptolska lugarnica)

A large mountain meadow of Gorščica is located at 740 meters above sea level, with a ranger station on it. The peak of Sljemenski Oštrc is nearby, at 743 meters above sea level. Gorščica is a key point of hiking routes leading towards Hunjka and the peak of Sljeme, and towards mountain lodges Lipa and Vugrovec. There was once an old ranger cottage of Gorščica on this site, but it perished in a fire.

Important information:

Opening times: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 298 1010 (Jura Čorak)

Catering facility - Zlatni medvjed

Catering facility Zlatni medvjed is located right below the TV tower on Sljeme. Visitors can have a pleasant rest and enjoy food and drinks in the lovely and elegant interior of this facility.

Important information:

Opening times: daily from 9:00 to 22:00, except Mondays.

Contact:

Phone: 00385 (0)1 455 9704

Medvednica has as many as 72 hiking trails. The so-called Transverzala Medvednice is the main and the longest trail, passing along the entire length of the mountain ridge, from one end of the mountain of Medvednica to another. It is 45 kilometers long, and requires approximately twenty hours of hiking.

Hiking trail 1 Medvednica Traverse

Hiking trail 1 is the main and the longest hiking trail along the peak ridge of Medvednica, leading from one end of the mountain to the other. The trail is approximately 45 kilometers long, and it takes 15 to 20 hours of hiking. Mountaineering association PD Sljeme takes care of the trail. A number of other hiking trails on both sides of the mountain lead from the base of Medvednica to this trail.

Since this trail is the key trail on the mountain, one might expect it to be the largest. However, certain sections of the trail are quite narrow, and there are some unusual routes along the way. In some sections, other trails nearby are actually wider and easier to pass than this trail.

Trail length: 50 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: Ridge trail

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 2, 2A and 2B Kostanjek (Stenjevec)

Hiking trail 2 leads from Kostanjek (Stenjevec) to the main hiking trail 1, in two directions. The main trail 2 leads to the Glavica mountain lodge, and then further on to the meadow of Ponikve. The left branch of trail 2 is trail 2A. It passes right next to the quarry of Bizek (there is the cave of Križevčak nearby), connects with trail 1M and proceeds towards the site of Kameni svati.

The right branch of trail 2 is a shorter trail 2B proceeding towards the cave of Veternica and Glavica mountain lodge.

Trail length: 2.7 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 215

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 3 and 3A Gornji Stenjevec – PD Glavica

Hiking trails 3 and 3A lead from Gornji Stenjevec to the cave of Veternica and Glavica mountain lodge.

Hiking from the final bus station in Gornji Stenjevec to the mountain lodge takes 30 to 40 minutes. NOTE: Trail 3A is marked as trail 8 on the SMAND map.

Trail length: 3 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 232 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 4 Gornje Vrapče – cascade Sopot

Hiking trail 4 leads from Gornje Vrapče to the forest cascade of Sopot and then to mountain trail 8. Upon leaving the asphalted road and entering hiking trail 4, there is a water source to the left (while we are practically still in the settlement). By continuing along trail 4, we pass next to the shooting range of Vrapče along rocky terrain. A small cascade of Ferendol follows, and after it we come across the glade of Družinec, where hiking trails 4 and 5 intersect (trail 5 continues towards Ponikve). There is a source of drinking water at this trail intersection.

Trail 4 continues through the forest, reaching a good-quality gravel path that can also be used by vehicles (this path leads all the way to the cascade of Sopot along the creek of Vrapčanski potok). Continuing along the trail, we reach a dam and a resting area with benches after a certain while, finally coming to the cascade of Sopot. The continuation of the trail leads us to hiking trail 8. One part of hiking trail 4 passing through the forest is not in particularly good condition when it comes to the walking surface and width; however, it is very well marked, which is helpful.

Trail length: 6.5 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 388 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 5 Gornje Vrapče – PK Kameni svati

Hiking trail 5 begins at the final station of the bus line Perjavica – Borčec (bus line 137 departing from the bus terminal at Črnomerec). The trail passes next to the semi-cave Podsvinjarčica/Podcintarnica. After that, the trail connects with hiking trail 1, continuing towards the mountain hut Kameni svati.

Trail length: 6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 408 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 6 Gornje Vrapče – PK Kameni svati

Hiking trail 6 begins at Ponikve, leading from the intersection of trails 1 and 5 along the right side of the meadow to the source of the Javorščak creek (the new name of the creek is Jambrišakovo vrelo). After that, there is an intersection with trail 1, followed by a joint route 300 meters long near the source of the creek. Trail 6 then turns left towards Kameni svati. After 50 meters, at Podbjelka shelter, trail 6 intersects with trail 1 again, and the two trails proceed along the same route to Kameni svati.

Trail length: 5.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 87 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 7 and 7A Jablanovec – PK Kameni svati

Hiking trail 7 is located on the westernmost part of Medvednica, and it leads from Jablanovec to the mountain hut PK Kameni svati. Trail 7A leads to PK Kameni svati as well, but it begins at Ivanec Bistranski.

Trail length: 5.5 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 317 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 8 Ponikve – PD Grafičar

Hiking trail 8 leads from the meadow of Ponikve to the Grafičar mountain lodge.

Trail length: 7.8 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 446 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 9 Mikulići – PD Risnjak

Hiking trail 9 leads from Mikulići (in the northern part of the city area of Kustošija/Črnomerec) to Risnjak mountain lodge and to the site of Pongračeva lugarnica. The trail is made of stone, and it is wide along most of the route from Mikulići upwards.

There are other, shorter and unmarked hiking trails very close and parallel to the marked trail 9. These trails might be a little bit more demanding, but they provide better views of the eastern side of the mountain towards Kulmerova gora and Medvedgrad. The trail is popular, which means that many advanced and recreational hikers use it, as well as many cyclists exploring the forest. In its subsequent sections, prior to reaching the mountain lodge of Risnjak, the trail becomes narrower and turns into a typical forest path, but there are no steep climbs. This trail ends at the Risnjak mountain lodge. Hikers can continue northwards along trail 1 towards the Grafičar mountain lodge, or they can proceed towards the other, eastern side, leading in the direction of Zagorje and Kameni svati mountain hut. There is also a western route available, by taking hiking trail 11 to Kraljičin zdenac.

Trail length: 3.8 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 421 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 10 Gornje Vrapče – Hiking trail 9

Hiking trail 10 leads from Gornje Vrapče, next to the local shooting range, in the direction of Risnjak mountain lodge. The trail branches to the left (where it becomes hiking trail 54) and then continues to the right, merging with hiking trail 9 prior to Risnjak.

Trail length: 4.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 298 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 11 Šestine – PD Risnjak/Sljeme

Hiking trail 11 branches towards the west and towards Risnjak mountain lodge and Pongračeva lugarnica. Trail 11 includes a rather steep climb approximately in the middle of the trail route, requiring a very good fitness level.

Trail length: 2.7 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 737 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 12 Šestine – PD Risnjak/Sljeme (Bažulovka)

Hiking trail 12 leads from Šestine (and the church of St. Emeric) via Medvedgrad all the way to Sljeme, the highest peak of Medvednica. This hiking trail passes near the sites of Kraljičin zdenac and Lugareva kućica.

Trail length: 6.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 737 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 13 Miroslavec Educational Trail

Hiking trail 13 (so-called Miroslavec educational trail) leads from Šestine (from the road of Potočani) to Kraljičin zdenac, and it is probably one of the most popular trails on Medvednica. Trail 13 begins at the Potočani Road in Šestine, turning left towards Lagvić very quickly. It then passes next to the Šestinski Lagvić restaurant and the chapel of St. Rocco, proceeding towards Medvednica. It is a very easy and pleasant trail, largely following the creek of Kraljevec and passing across it. Hiking trail 13, just like the hiking trail 12, passes next to the house of Himper at the entrance to the Park, continuing along the creek of Kraljevec all the way to Kraljičin zdenac.

Back towards the end of the 19th century, count Miroslav Kulmer ordered the construction of this trail for walks of his wife Elvira, and the trail was named after her back then. In recent times, the trail is usually called Miroslavec, after the name of the count. Educational panels placed along the trail provide information on the geological characteristics and history of the mountain. Trail 13 continues in the form of the main trail 1M leading towards the highest point of the mountain, but this trail is much narrower and steeper.

Trail length: 3.4 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (1/5)

Elevation difference: 307 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 14 Leustek Trail

Hiking trail 14 is also known as Leustek Trail. It is named after Albin Leustek, a forester from Zagreb who greatly contributed to the development of hiking facilities on Medvednica. Water source Šumarov grob (Forester's Grave) is named after him, for that was the place where Leustek wanted to be buried. His wish was not fulfilled, however, and he was buried at the cemetery in Šestine according to his family's wish, right next to the church of St. Emeric.

Trail 14 is one of the most popular and easiest climbing trails on Medvednica, with a very stable inclination along the entire route.

Trail length: 6.4 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 740 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 15 Gračansko Dolje – Sljeme

Hiking trail 15 is the left branch of trail 14. There is a short trail in between, permitting passage from one trail to the other.

Trail length: 2.9 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 697 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 16 Šumarov put

Hiking trail 16 is also called Šumarov put (Forester's Path), named after a renowned forester of Zagreb, engineer Albin Leustek. It branches off from the Sljemenska Road at km 9, proceeding below the mountain lodge Runolist to the small lake of Tigrovo oko (Tiger's Eye) and the site of Šumarov grob, and continuing next to the mountain lodge Puntijarka to the point where it merges with hiking trail 22 that leads to Markuševec.

Instead of leading from the base of the mountain towards its peak, this transversal hiking trail connects the main hiking trails 14, 18, 19, 20 and 22. It is also possible to drive along hiking trail 16, by leaving the Sljemenska Road at km 9 onto the gravel road that acts as the trail, continuing to the site of Šumarov grob. This is where drivers should turn left and continue with the climb back to the Sljemenska Road all the way to the mountain lodge Dom Željezničara. Connection with the Sljemenska Road is located next to the catering facility Grofica.

Trail length: 5.3 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 277 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 17 Gračansko Dolje – Hiking trail 14 and 19

Hiking trail 17 is a very short trail starting from Gračansko Dolje (above the Tunnel). It does not end at any particular mountain site or facility; instead, it merges with mountain trails 14 and 19 that continue towards the top of the mountain. This trail is so short (slightly over one kilometer) that it could almost be referred to as a branch of trail 14 (e.g. as hiking trail 14A).

On the other hand, this trail is possibly one of the most used hiking trails on Medvednica. By turning left from the trail, hikers can reach the remains of Villa Rebar, and by turning right from the trail it is possible to get to the lower station of the cable car and further on to Bliznec. There are several abandoned bunkers from World War II along the trail. They were used by the military forces of the Independent State of Croatia during the war, because the area above the Tunnel that the trail passes through once served as security perimeter of Vila Rebar, residence of Ante Pavelić, the head of that state.

Trail length: 1.5 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (1/5)

Elevation difference: 100 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 18 Bikčević Trail

Hiking trail 18 is also known as Bikčevićeva staza. It leads from the Sljeme Tunnel via Bliznec, Bačunsko sedlo and Njivice, all the way to the mountain lodge Ivan Pačkovski (Puntijarka). The trail was named after the forester Tomislav Bikčević (1915–1986), who was born in the region of Slavonia and worked throughout the former state, finally reaching Zagreb, where he worked on the revitalization of forests and green areas of the city of Zagreb and the mountain of Medvednica. Mr. Bikčević also worked as teacher and director of the Forestry Technical School.

Mountain shelters of Njivice and Mrzljak are located next to the trail.

Trail length: 5.9 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 687 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 19 Gračansko Dolje – PD Puntijarka

Hiking trail 19 leads from Gračani to the mountain lodge Puntijarka. The trail begins at the exit from the Sljeme Tunnel. The trail first leads to the lower cable car station, proceeding along the cable car route towards the Sljemenska Road (when passing the cable car station, hikers must see it to the left of the trail, because there is one other marked transversal trail proceeding to the left towards hiking trail 17). This trail reaches the asphalted Sljemenska Road, and at that point hikers can turn left and climb along an unmarked trail to the trail 14. Trail 19 continues along the asphalted Sljemenska Road down towards the Bliznec sawmill. Behind the Bliznec sawmill, there is a small wooden bridge that we should cross, in order to continue hiking along trail 19.

The trail then continues parallely with the creek (which is to our left), and parallely with trail 18 (which is somewhat higher to our right). We reach the mountain shelter Njivice, with the intersection of trails 18, 19 and 20. Trail 19 continues to the left, towards the mountain lodge Ivan Pačkovski (also known as Puntijarka). Prior to Puntijarka, trail 19 intersects with trail 16. If we take this trail to the left, we can get to the mountain lodge Runolist. The hike to mountain lodge Runolist from trail 19 takes approximately 30 minutes. The trail is well marked, but there are two locations where hikers might be in doubt. The first location is the place where the trail connects with the asphalted Sljemenska Road (where hikers should continue downhill along the road). The second location is at the Bliznec sawmill (where hikers need to find the small wooden bridge).

Trail length: 5.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 686 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 20 Markuševec – Hunjka/Puntijarka

Hiking trail 20 leads from Markuševec (Kravaršćani) to the mountain lodge PD Hunjka (hiking trail 22 also connects these two points, starting at the intersection at the church of St. Simeon in Markuševec). Mountain shelters Njivice and Danjka are located along the route.

Trail length: 6.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 626 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 21 Markuševec – Hunjka/Puntijarka

Hiking trail 21 branches from trail 22, slightly before reaching the resting area Danjka. It leads towards the mountain lodge Puntijarka and further towards the meadow Činovnička livada.

Trail length: 2.7 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (1/5)

Elevation difference: 626 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 22 Markuševec – PD Hunjka

Hiking trail 22 leads from Markuševec to the mountain lodge Hunjka. The route first takes us through the neighborhood of Markuševec with private houses (there are hiking trail markings on the fences and lighting posts throughout that part of the trail). The entrance to the Nature Park is located next to one of the houses. The forest path first passes through the area with many chestnut trees (many inhabitants of Markuševec and other chestnut pickers can be found here during the chestnut season). The trail proceeds further through the forest, next to glades and thicket with hunting watchtowers.

Prior to reaching Hunjka, hikers reach a spacious mountain glade with the mountain shelter Danjka. The destination Hunjka is very close by. Trail 22 shares one part of its route with hiking trail 20.

Trail length: 6.5 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 668 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 23 Markuševečka Trnava – PD Hunjka

Hiking trail 23 begins at the settlement of Markuševečka Trnava located at the base of the mountain and leads into the Nature Park. Upon leaving the bus, we take the asphalted road passing next to the local chapel and continue along the creek of Trnava. This brings us to the first location, where we come across the markings for Gorsko zrcalo and the Nature Park (the mill Ročićev mlin is located nearby). There are several markings for Gorsko zrcalo along the way.

We continue along the gravel trail through the village, passing next to the hunting lodge Prigorje, where we can see a wooden board with the sign telling us that we are entering the Nature Park. We continue and reach a flat area with the concrete creek bed of the Trnava creek, proceeding to a small bridge in front of the site of Gorsko zrcalo. The section of the trail leading to Gorsko zrcalo can also be passed by car, and from there onwards only by hiking. Mountain shelter Milan is located right next to Gorsko zrcalo. From that point onwards, the forest path leads further through the forest along the creek. There are two waterworks facilities along the way. What follows is a difficult part of the route - a steep climb along an elevation called Tisova peć. After reaching Tisova peć, the trail section leading from that point towards Hunjka is easy. The route gradually passes from deciduous to coniferous forest, with the mountain shelter Hornjak along the way, ultimately reaching Hunjka.

Trail length: 8 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 690 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 24 Bidrovec – PD Gorščica

Hiking trail 24 leading to the mountain lodge Gorščica starts from Bidrovec and proceeds along the western (left) side of two elevations: the southern elevation called Pečovje (655 m.a.s.l.) and the northern elevation called Oštrec (737 m.a.s.l.). In the part of the route passing along the base of Medvednica, trail 24 leads along the creek of Bidrovec with a water supply retention. In that part of the route, near Bidrovec, there is an abundant source of drinking water next to the trail.

Trail length: 4.4 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 427 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 25 Bidrovec – PD Gorščica

Hiking trail 25 and hiking trail 25A (a branch of trail 25) lead from Vidovec to the mountain lodge Gorščica, bypassing two elevations called Pečovje and Oštrec from their eastern (right) side. In its initial stage, the trail passes along vineyards and summer cottages. The rock with the cave of Pečovje can also be seen along the way.

The water source Zdenčec is located in part of the route passing along the base of the mountain. These trails are in very good condition, quite wide, user-friendly and very well marked. The entire area around the elevations of Pečovje and Oštrec is rocky, with several nice rocks and caves along the way (such as the caves Pečovje and Mačkova pećina).

Trail length: 5.1 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 483 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 26 along the ridge of Medvednica

Hiking trail 26 leads along the ridge of Medvednica from the mountain lodge Hunjka to the mountain lodge Grafičar. There are many hiking, catering and other facilities along the route.

Trail length: 5.2 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 27 Bidrovec – Ročićeva sjenokoša

Hiking trail 27 leads from the settlement of Bidrovec at the base of the mountain to a glade on Medvednica called Ročićeva sjenokoša (i.e. to the main hiking trail 1 passing through that area). At one point, trail 27 and trail 29 merge into one trail, separating again not far from the mountaintop. The Chapel of Our Lady of Snow is located on that joint section of the route.

Trail length: 5.5 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 417 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 28 Čučerje – Stubički Laz

Hiking trail 28 leads from Čučerje or from the settlement of Hukmani near the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog towards Plasišče and Stubički Laz and further on to Marija Bistrica. The section from Čučerje to the hunting lodge Vepar is a narrow asphalted road, continuing from that point as gravel road leading towards Planina Donja. Trail 28 branches to the left and leads towards the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog.

There are many nice summer cottages and small houses along this trail (road) leading to the hunting lodge. Later on, the trail turns into a classical hiking trail.

Trail length: 8.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 320 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 29 Hukmani – PD Lipa

Hiking trail 29 leads from Čučerje or from the settlement of Hukmani to the main hiking trail 1. By continuing along trail 1, hikers can then reach the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog.

Trail 29 and trail 27 merge into a single trail in one section, separating again later on. Trail 29 heads eastwards (to the right) towards the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog, and trail 27 heads westwards (to the left) towards the mountain lodge Gorščica. The Chapel of Our Lady of Snow is located on that joint section of the route.

Trail length: 5.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 429 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 30 Čučerje – Hiking trail 1 / PD Lipa

Hiking trail 30 leads from the settlement of Čučerje at the base of the mountain, first to the main hiking trail 1 on Medvednica, and then further along trail 1 to the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog. The trail begins from behind the Church of Our Lady in Čučerje, and ends at the hunting lodge Vepar.

Most of the route of trail 30 is actually not a genuine hiking trail, but a wide gravel road (only the initial section is a narrow trail passing through vineyards).

Trail length: 3.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 450 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 31 Planina Donja – PD Lipa

Hiking trail 31 on the eastern side of Medvednica leads from the settlement of Planina Donja to the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog. The trail enters Medvednica on the road leading from Planina Donja to Planina Gornja, and the entrance is located at the intersection next to the church of St. George, where hikers should turn into a street called Planinarski odvojak. This hiking trail is easy at first, passing next to houses and summer cottages. However, it gets rather steep and demanding once it enters the forest (Podstrmina)!

Hikers should pay attention and turn into the forest at the right moment, in order to continue along hiking trail 30, because it is easy to make a mistake and continue along trail 28 that does not lead towards the mountain lodge.

Trail length: 2.4 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 361 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 32 Planina Donja – Velika peć – PD Lipa

Hiking trail 32 leads from the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog to the cave Velika peć and further towards the settlement of Planina Gornja. This trail, like trail 1, first leads from the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog towards Ročićeva sjenokoša and the mountain lodge Gorščica, but then it turns to the right towards the cave. Section of the trail leading along the rocky terrain to Velika peć is extremely hard. The trail is narrow and dangerous there, because there is a risk of falling into the abyss.

In some sections of the trail around Velika peć, it is almost necessary to hike on one's hands and knees, and this trail should therefore be avoided by hikers whose fitness level is not excellent and who are afraid of heights!

Trail length: 2.3 km

Trail difficulty: Difficult (5/5)

Elevation difference: 361 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 33 Stubički Laz – Ročićeva sjenokoša

Hiking trail 33 leads from the settlement of Laz Stubički (direction Marija Bistrica) to the glade Ročićeva sjenokoša at Medvednica.

Trail length: 6.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 330 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 34 Gornja Stubica – Ročićeva sjenokoša

Hiking trail 34 leads from Gornja Stubica through Slani Potok to the major intersection of hiking trails called Ročićeva sjenokoša.

Trail length: 7.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 480 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 35 Gornja Stubica – PD Gorščica

Hiking trail 35 begins at the monument to the Peasant Revolt. We first descend down the path called Aleja Gupčevih boraca to reach the main road in Gornja Stubica. We cross the road and continue straight along the road to the church of St. George, with the centuries old Gubec Linden Tree behind it. As we pass the linden tree, the asphalted path continues to the square Trg Kraljice mira and further on towards the settlement of Slani Potok. While hiking trail 34 proceeds further towards Slani Potok, hiking trail 35 turns rightwards and continues towards the settlement of Hižakovec, including a crossing over a creek.

Hižakovec is a birthplace of Matija Gubec, the leader of the Peasant Revolt. The marking of the trail branch on a post can easily be overlooked, since it is old and in poor condition. After passing the village, we enter the forest of Medvednica. Hiking trail climbs along deep forested slopes, quite steeply in the initial section, becoming flatter after the first couple of hundred meters. On this part of the trail, mountaineering markings are quite sparse and old, sometimes barely visible or even missing at certain intersections. On one section of the trail, there is a sheet-metal hangar of the hunting association Orao, followed by an intersection of trails. Although it seems that the logical continuation of the hiking trail should be to the left or to the right, the trail proceeds along the worst part of the terrain - straight along the creek bed. After approximately one hundred meters of the creek bed section, the trail proceeds to the right and climbs into the forest. That is where a rather steep climb follows. The trail finally reaches the mountain shelter Volarnica on a hill of the same name. From Volarnica onwards, trail 35 continues towards the mountain lodge Hunjka. One branch of this trail - hiking trail 35A - turns to the left towards the water source Mrzlak and the mountain lodge Gorščica.

Trail length: 8.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 550 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 36 Hiking trail 18 – Strma peć

The beginning of hiking trail 36 is located on hiking trail 19 slightly above the Bliznec sawmill. This is where hiking trail 36 separates from trail 19 and branches towards hiking trail 18. It might almost be considered a branch of hiking trail 18 (also known as Bikčevićeva staza or Bikčević Trail), passing across a hill called Strma peć or Strmopeć before returning back to trail 18.

Hikers taking trail 18 come across hiking trail 36 after the water source with signposts (totem). In its initial part, hiking trail 36 climbs along hairpin bends, reaching the peak of Strma peć marked by a wooden panel. Trail 36 then continues with an easier descent from Strma peć back to trail 18. There is a small viewpoint on the peak, where hikers can enjoy views of the western part of Medvednica and its peaks.

Trail length: 1.5 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 250 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 37 Sljemenski put

Hiking trail 37, also known as Sljemenski put or the Sljeme Trail, leads from Donja Stubica across the settlement of Donja Podgora and an area called Rakova noga, towards the main hiking trail 1M passing along the ridge of Medvednica, and to the mountain lodge Hunjka. The trail passes next to the hunting lodge of the hunting association Vepar from Donja Stubica and next to the mountain lodge Lojzekov izvor (Lojzek's Source) with the source of potable water that gave the mountain lodge its name. Hiking trail 37A is a branch of trail 37 leading from Rakova noga (460 m.a.s.l.) along the creek Rakov potok towards the mountain hut Kulmerica.

This section first leads along a gravel forest path, suddenly turning to the left and steeply climbing along a very narrow forest path (first through deciduous forest, and then through coniferous forest) towards the Kulmerica hut, where there is a source of drinking water. This branching point can easily be overlooked.

Trail length: 6.1 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 393 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 38 Stubičke Toplice – PK Kulmerica

Hiking trail 38 leads from Stubičke Toplice to the main hiking trail 1 that passes along the ridge of Medvednica. Trail 38 passes next to the hunting lodge of the hunting association Vepar from Donja Stubica, mountain lodge Lojzekov izvor with a source of drinking water and the mountain hut Kulmerica.

The trail leads to a point called Velika Črešnja, where the mountain shelter Črešnja is located, and then it separates into two directions. One route continues towards the mountain lodge Gorščica, and the other route proceeds towards the mountain lodge Hunjka.

Trail length: 9.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 667 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 39 Stubičke Toplice – Sljeme

Hiking trail 39 leads from the settlement of Stubičke Toplice located in the region of Zagorje to the highest mountain peak of Sljeme via the settlement of Pila. There are two ways to enter the trail: from the road, where the entry is marked by the official panel of the Medvednica Nature Park, and from behind the Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park (the trails that begin at these two entry points merge prior to reaching the chapel of St. Catherine).

Along the way, we reach the hill of Kapelščak with the chapel of St. Catherine with a large wooden cross and a memorial plaque dedicated to the Peasant Revolt of 1573, which ended in blood right on that spot. Passing the entire trail from Stubičke Toplice to Sljeme takes approximately 4 hours. This hiking trail is maintained and marked by the members of the mountaineering association HPD Željezničar.

Trail length: 11 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 797 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 40 Erberov put

Hiking trail 40 is also known as Erberov put. It leads from the mountain shelter Kod križa towards the glade of Srnec, across the area of Vrbanov brijeg, next to the water pumping station Jelenja voda and along the glade of Brijest (Krumpirište) to the ranger station Oštrica. This trail is very well marked and wide (a forest road of sorts), and it can also be passed by vehicles.

Trail length: 4.5 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 300 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 41 Hunjka – Oštrica – PD Grafičar

Hiking trail 41 leads from the mountain lodge Hunjka across the glade of Srnec (next to Horvat Stairs) and Markov travnik to the ranger station Oštrica and further on towards the mine of Zrinski and the mountain lodge Grafičar on the other side of Sljeme. The markings are in satisfactory condition, but hiking trail 41 is poorly maintained and difficult to pass. It is very narrow and its route passes along a steep slope of the northern side of Medvednica.

Trail length: 9.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 270 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 42 Gornja Bistra – Činovnička livada

Hiking trail 42 is a trail on the Zagorje side of Medvednica. It leads from Gornja Bistra, first to the ranger station Oštrica, and then all the way to Činovnička livada on the peak of Medvednica. At the Bistra quarry, hikers should turn left across a creek, and then pass through vineyards and find the marked trail.

Panjevina s kojega se prekrasno prostire pogled na Kraljev Vrh i cijelo Zagorje. Nažalost, staza 42 nije na svim dijelovima dobro prohodna, a postoje i račvanja na kojima nije lako uočiti planinarsku oznaku.

At the beginning, the route is relatively steep, and it leads to the viewpoint Panjevina offering magnificent views of Kraljev Vrh and the entire region of Zagorje. Unfortunately, trail 42 is not easy to pass in all of its sections, and there are intersections where it is difficult to notice the trail markings.

Trail length: 5.9 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 780 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 43 Zagrebački put

Hiking trail 43 is an unmarked trail leading from the settlement of Pila (from trail 39) across an area called Pepelarnica to the mountain lodge Hunjka (connecting with trail 37).

Trail length: 3.5 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 630 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 44 Činovnička livada – PD Hunjka

Hiking trail 44 is yet another trail passing along the ridge of Medvednica, in addition to hiking trail 26 and the main hiking trail 1. Trail 44 leads from the Hunjka mountain lodge to Činovnička livada.

Trail length: 2.4 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 50 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 45

Hiking trail 45 is a small loop trail taking hikers around the so-called French Mines (Francuski rudnici, located north of the ski slopes). Trail 45 is linked with hiking trail 41 from which it branches off and to which it returns (at the lower station of the ski lift below the information panel). Unfortunately, this trail is completely neglected, and it is very difficult to pass it. Its light-blue markings are different from the usual markings, and they are absent in some sections due to the cutting of trees.

There are still smaller information panels in the forest, dedicated to the four mines and assisting hikers in finding these sites. The mines are not open to public, and entry to the mines is impossible without special training (only speleologists with the required equipment can enter these mining sites).

Trail length: 1.3 km

Trail difficulty: Difficult (5/5)

Elevation difference: 180 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 46 Gornja Bistra – PD Grafičar

Hiking trail 46 leads from Gornja Bistra to Bistransko sedlo below the mountain lodge Grafičar. The first part of the trail passes along the road Bistrička cesta, in parallel with the Bistrica creek (water source called Sumporni izvor or Sulphur Spring is located near the trail). After that, trail 46 branches rightwards to the mountain lodge Grafičar. There is a resting area with crosses along the way.

Trail length: 7 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 690 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 47 Sv. Ivan Zelina – Stubički Laz

Hiking trail 47 leads from the center of Sv. Ivan Zelina (from the church into the forest along the road Zelingradska cesta) to Laz Stubički. At the beginning of the trail, there are many water management facilities, including a small dam.

Later on, the trail passes next to the old town Zelingrad and the mountain hut Kladeščica that can be reached via the trail branch 47. The archaeological site Kuzelin can be reached by another trail branch - hiking trail 47A. Trail 47 is a rather serious trail in terms of its length, and it is excellently marked (with the exception of a small section after Kladeščica, where the quality of markings is not so good).

Trail length: 15 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 360 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 48 Kraljičin zdenac – Brestovac

Hiking trail 48 is a transverse trail leading from Kraljičin zdenac (from hiking trail 13) across hiking trail 52 to the Brestovac sanatorium (hiking trail 55). NOTE: Hiking trail 48 is marked as hiking trail 52A in the SMAND hiking map of Medvednica; hiking trail 48 on that map is the trail leading from Gornje Pisarjevo.

Trail length: 2.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 255 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 49 Kraljev Vrh – Činovnička livada

Hiking trail 49 leads from the center of the settlement of Kraljev Vrh in the region of Zagorje to the peak of Medvednica and the meadow of Činovnička livada. The beginning of the trail is in the center of Kraljev Vrh, at the church of the Three Kings. The church is located on a hill in the settlement, and it can be seen from great distance from the entire surrounding area.

Trail length: 7.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 750 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 50 Lukšići – PD Grafičar

Hiking trail 50 leads from the settlement of Lukšići (Tuškanac) at the base of the mountain to the popular mountain lodge Grafičar.
The trail proceeds from Lukšići along a creek to the dam on the creek (which is the final point reachable by car). From that point, the trail continues through the forest in two directions (these branching routes eventually merge at the gravel road on the locality of Kulmerova gora).

Trail length: 4.3 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 605 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 51 Markov travnik – Hiking trail 39

One might argue that hiking trail 51 does not really exist in true sense of the word. To be more precise, there is such a trail marked on the map, and its reserved trail number is 51, but there are no such markings in the field. However, there is one marking at the intersection with hiking trail 40, which denotes a very short connecting trail several of tens of meters long between hiking trail 40 and hiking trail 39.

The route of the entire hiking trail 51 leads transversely from trail 41 (at Markov travnik) across hiking trail 40 further on to hiking trail 39. When it comes to trail quality, the section of hiking trail 51 that leads from the intersection with trail 40 to Markov travnik is an unmarked forest path that is sufficiently wide at first, but eventually becomes less and less visible as it enters into young coniferous forest. After finding one's way through this forest, what follows is a steep section along rocky terrain all the way town to hiking trail 41. This descent along rocks is in poor condition, steep and without solid footing. NOTE: The trail marked as hiking trail 51 in the GISDATA hiking map is in fact hiking trail 57A.

Trail length: 0.8 km

Trail difficulty: Difficult (5/5)

Elevation difference: 220 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 52 HPD Trail

Hiking trail 52 (also known as HPD-ov put or the Croatian Mountaineering Society Trail) leads from Šestine (not from the church in Šestine as some other hiking trails, but from the street of Potočani a bit farther away in the direction of Gračani) to Sljeme as the highest peak of Medvednica (and to the TV tower on the peak). Before World War II, this was a traditional climb of members of the Croatian Mountaineering Society, as reflected in the trail's name even today. Near Brestovec, there is a largely felled beech forest, offering pleasant views of the western slopes of Medvednica and the city.

Hikers who climb this trail can see the old fortress of Medvedgrad to their left. There is a cross at the intersection with hiking trail 48, and about 100 meters below that point there are several smaller water sources with drinking water.

Trail length: 6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 730 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 53 Hukmani – Hiking trail 1

Hiking trail 53 leads from the settlement of Hukmani (Čučerje) towards the main hiking trail 1. Hikers who continue along trail 1 (by turning left) will reach the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog. By continuing along the gravel path, one reaches the settlement of Planina Donja. At the beginning, the trail leads through a wide and deep forest valley, passing across several glades towards the end. Although there are some overgrown sections, the trail is well marked.

Trail length: 2.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 200 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 54 Gornje Vrapče – PD Risnjak

Hiking trail 54 is actually a continuation of hiking trail 10 that starts at Gornje Vrapče (in Kukoljina Street at the second station before the end station of the ZET bus line 125) and leads to the mountain lodge Risnjak. The trail begins with a walk along Kukoljina Street in Gornje Vrapče, and continues along a narrow path between private land plots and fences as it enters the forest at the base of the mountain. The trail leads along the ridge of a ravine (Trtina Rebar), and the shooting range in Vrapče is located to the left of the trail.

The trail then branches: the left branch is hiking trail 54, and the right branch is a continuation of hiking trail 10. At the beginning of hiking trail 54, the markings are well placed and they are relatively new and easily noticeable. The trail leads to a gravel forest path and continues along it for some time, before it proceeds further along the creek of Mikulić. At one point, it is necessary to cross the creek, which is approximately 1.5 meters wide. As it continues along the route, the trail becomes increasingly rocky. In the middle of the route, there is a rather steep section. After that, the trail leads through the forest, where it becomes a bit less steep and more and more narrow and overgrown. However, hikers soon reach the forested section where the trail gets better and less overgrown. Finally, prior to the mountain lodge Risnjak, the trail reaches a gravel path again, which represents a very short section of the route. Hikers then reach the intersection (which is very hard to spot), where they should turn left onto a very steep forest trail.

NOTE: Both hiking trail 10 and hiking trail 54 as a continuation of hiking trail 10 are relatively well marked, but hikers should exercise caution as they follow the markings, because it is extremely easy to miss the actual hiking trail. There are many sections where hiking trail 54 passes along forest or gravel paths and then turns left or right, which is very difficult to spot.

Trail length: 4.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 500 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 55 and 55A Liječnički put

Hiking trail 55 leads from the penultimate station of tram line 15 (Gračani) to the abandoned sanatorium of Brestovac. As we enter the forest from Gračani – through the entrance to hiking trails 55 and 57 – we need to turn left over narrow stairs along the fence of a house if we wish to take hiking trail 55, or to continue straight if we wish to take hiking trail 57. When it comes to its characteristics, hiking trail 55 is a very nice trail in its section passing above the neighborhood of Gračani, narrow and winding among coniferous trees.

Hiking trail 55 also has its right branch (marked as hiking trail 55A on the maps), which leads right along the creek of Snopljak. Hiking trail 57 can also be seen on the maps. As for hiking trail 55, it is also known as Liječnička staza or Doctors' Trail, because it is maintained by the mountaineering club of the Croatian Medical Association. This mountaineering club was established in 1995 with the aim of developing and improving hiking activities among doctors, and they marked the trail 55 back in 2000. Towards the end of April, doctors from the mountaineering club organize a traditional hiking excursion along hiking trail 55, where they measure hikers' blood pressure at the end of the route. This trail can be used to reach the cave of Plava pećina (located very close to the trail).

Trail length: 5.4 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 579 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 56 Bidrovec/Vidovec – PD Gorščica

The routes of two major trails - hiking trail 24 (leading from the western side) and hiking trail 25/25A (leading from the eastern side) - bypass the elevations of Pečovje and Oštrec. However, there is also a network of short trails, collectively marked as hiking trail 56, that also lead towards the mountain lodge Gorščica from the settlements of Bidrovec and Vidovec right below the peaks. These trails are marked in this manner only on maps, however, which means that they are not officially marked by signs on trees!

Despite that, hiking trail 56 is bound to provide particular pleasure to hikers who decide to go to Pečovje and walk along this trail, because the western section of the trail includes some of the best viewpoints of Medvednica, as well as small caves, rocks, etc. The trail is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Trail length: 2.5 km

Trail difficulty: Difficult (5/5)

Elevation difference: 300 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 57 and 57A Gračani – Činovnička livada (Gipsov put)

Hiking trail 57 leads from Gračani to the peak of Medvednica. Along the route, we pass next to the communication station with transmission towers at the elevation of Tusti vrh, and next to the mountain shelter Snopljak later on (with a water source located next to it). A branch of this trail marked as hiking trail 57A (Gipsova staza) leads right below the cable car route in one of its sections, and below hiking trail 55 leading to the Brestovac sanatorium.

Trail length: 6.1 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (4/5)

Elevation difference: 580 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 58 Sesvete – Hiking trail 30/ Hiking trail 1

Hiking trail 58 leads from Sesvete (the beginning of the trail is in Otona Ivekovića Street), across Markovo polje and next to the settlements of Dobrodol, Šimunčevac and Goranec, to the point where it merges with hiking trail 30. It might be argued that hiking trail 58 is not a genuine hiking trail, given the fact that it passes through settlements and along houses. However, since it is equipped with mountaineering markings, it deserves its place among hiking trails.

Trail length: 10 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 240 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 59 Dotrščina – Markuševec

Hiking trail 59 leads from the memorial park Dotrščina (above the neighborhood of Dubrava) to Kravarščani near Markuševec.

Trail length: 4 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 140 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 60 Blaguša – PD Grohot

Hiking trails 60 and 61 lead from the village of Blaguša at the base of the mountain to the mountain lodge Grohot below the elevation of the same name (492 m.a.s.l.). These two trails eventually merge into hiking trail 62, continuing north towards Marija Bistrica. Hiking trail 60 is a poorly marked trail.

The route from Blaguša towards Grohot passes through the forest along a creek, with a number of hunting watchtowers along the way. Later on, the trail is closely intertwined with the creek, meaning that the creek must be crossed on multiple occasions, until one reaches the hunting lodge. After the hunting lodge, the route of the trail leaves the creek, continuing all the way to the mountain lodge Grohot along a forest gully in a very steep climb.

Trail length: 3.4 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 206 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 61 Blaguša – PD Grohot

Hiking trail 61 is actually a gravel path in good condition passing through the forest, which also serves as road for tractors, off-road vehicles and machinery. The trail leads from the village of Blaguša uphill, until it connects with hiking trail 60. The trail markings are old, which can pose a problem due to numerous branches and intersections with short forest trails along the way. There are no specific signs telling hikers that they are on hiking trail 60 or 61; the trails are only marked with a circular hiking trail sign.

Trail length: 3.5 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (2/5)

Elevation difference: 161 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 62 Marija Bistrica – PD Grohot

Hiking trail 62 leads from the Zagorje side of the mountain of Medvednica to its Zagreb side, starting at Marija Bistrica and ending at the mountain lodge Grohot.

Trail length: 6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 300 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 63 Marija Bistrica – Tepčina špica

Hiking trail 63 leads from Marija Bistrica through the settlements of Laz Stubički and Sveti Matej to the locality of Tepčina špica. Towards the end, this trail is a genuine, very narrow and interesting hiking trail leading along the ridge of an elevation.

Trail length: 11 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 445 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 64 Kašina – PD Grohot

Hiking trail 64 leads from the settlement of Kašina (from the Ivana Mažuranića Road) towards the mountain lodge Grohot.

Trail length: 3.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 230 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 65 Marija Bistrica – Laz Stubički

At the end of these two trails, there is an intersection of hiking trail 63 (leading to the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog or even further to the mountain lodge Gorščica) and hiking trail 47 (leading to the settlement of Sv. Ivan Zelina).

Trail length: 5.7 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 190 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 66 Marija Bistrica – Laz Stubički

Hiking trail 65 and hiking trail 66 are two relatively short trails on the Zagorje side of Medvednica, leading from the center of Marija Bistrica through a small settlement called Podgorje Bistričko to Laz Stubički. At the end of these two trails, there is an intersection of hiking trail 63 (leading to the mountain lodge Lipa-Rog or even further to the mountain lodge Gorščica) and hiking trail 47 (leading to the settlement of Sv. Ivan Zelina).

Trail length: 4.5 km

Trail difficulty: Easy (1/5)

Elevation difference: 190 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 67 Marija Bistrica – Hiking trail 47

Hiking trail 67 leads from Marija Bistrica to hiking trail 47. Sites in the viciniity of hiking trails 67 and 68 include the mountain hut Kadeščica and the old town of Zelingrad.

Trail length: 6.4 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 290 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 68 Prepolno – Hiking trail 47

Hiking trail 68 leads from the direction of Konjščina, i.e. from the settlement of Prepolno (Gornje Orašje), to the intersection with hiking trail 47 on the other side. Sites in the vicnity of these trails include the mountain hut Kadeščica and the old town of Zelingrad (next to hiking trail 47).

Trail length: 5.3 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 201 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 69 Markuševec – Hunjka

Hiking trail 69 leads from Markuševec (Fuljatkov Brijeg/Jordanići) to the mountain lodge Hunjka. The trail is well marked along the entire route. Towards the end of this trail, there is a branch (hiking trail 71) leading towards the mountain shelter Danjka and further on towards mountain lodge Puntijarka.

Trail length: 7 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 650 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 70 Markuševec – Hiking trail 69

Hiking trail 70 is actually a branch of hiking trail 69. It takes hikers along the eastern route from Markuševec through the settlement of Dreščevec to hiking trail 69 and further on towards the mountain lodge Hunjka.

Trail length: 2.7 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 170 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 71 mountain shelter Danjka – Hiking trail 69

Hiking trail 71 is a very short trail leading from the mountain shelter Danjka through the area of Kaptolska šuma to hiking trail 69. Prior to merging with hiking trail 69, the route of hiking trail 71 leads along the creek of Stari potok. Nearby, on hiking trail 69, there is a source of drinking water. Hiking trail 71 is relatively difficult to pass, and it is poorly marked.

Trail length: 1.6 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 290 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

Hiking trail 72 Moravče – Hiking trail 47

Hiking trail 72 is a new trail, recently marked, and currently represented only on the new Mountain Rescue Service (GSS) hiking map of Medvednica. This trail leads from the settlement of Moravče on the eastern side of Medvednica to hiking trail 47, and then it proceeds either to the west and to the mountain lodge Grohot, or to the east and to Kladeščica (hiking to both of these locations from Moravče takes approximately 3 hours). Hikers who proceed westwards to the mountain lodge Grohot can also visit the archaeological site Kuzelin along the way. Moravče is a village located 12 kilometers north of Sesvete.

The end station of the ZET bus line 272 is located on the intersection in the middle of the village, in front of the church of the Holy Trinity (Benkova Street 1). To the right of the church, there is a small local school (Elementary School Ivana Granđe, Soblinec). To the left, across the road, there is a small and very old cemetery in the forest (even though it is neglected, we recommend a visit). Once you leave the bus, you should continue in the direction of the bus towards Gornja Drenova - along Benkova Street. The church should be to your left, and the school building to your right. Hiking trail markings are available as well. In order words, you should not take the larger road to the left (in that direction, you would be able to see a white cross placed on an elevation above the village). The trail is relatively well marked, but it is not specifically numbered as hiking trail 72. In addition, it is important to look for and find the markings at some locations (e.g. at the point where several trails intersect above the village and prior to reaching the vineyards). The reason is that there were no trees where to place the markings (which would be the most appropriate solution), so the markings were placed on fences etc. instead.

Trail length: 5.2 km

Trail difficulty: Medium difficulty (3/5)

Elevation difference: 220 m

Recommended time of year for visit: Throughout the year

Accessible to persons with disabilities: Not accessible

Recommended equipment: Layered clothes and hiking footwear

Availability of drinking water: Not available

According to many, five hundred stone stairs are the most impressive and the most beautiful site built by human hand on the mountain of Medvednica.

Vladimir Horvat was a journalist, publisher, tireless photo reporter and a major mountain enthusiast. In 1946, he began building a series of stone stairs in a wild and inaccessible limestone karst area above the creek of Bistri jarek. After seven years of persistent work, excursionists finally got the chance to discover this hidden site of unique beauty. As visitors climb the stairs, they can explore small dark caves, discover wonderful viewpoints, look into deep abysses and sinkholes, touch sharp edges of limestone karrens and read information panels along the route as they learn about these karst phenomena and the valuable and endangered yew and linden forest that this unique staircase passes through. At the very bottom of the stairs, next to a creek, there is a small forest excursion site of Srnec with wooden benches and shelter against rain, where visitors can relax a little as they listen to the sounds of the forest.

Five hundred Horvat stairs are fully immersed in nature, as if they have always been the constituent part of this rocky karst terrain – a vivid proof of how man and nature can indeed coexist. Even today, around fifty years after their construction, they still represent a favorite spot of hikers and excursionists.

Kraljičin zdenac (Queen's Well) is one of the favorite excursion destinations of the inhabitants of Zagreb. This source of cold water in dense forest at 529 meters above sea level has been attracting hikers eager to enjoy a genuine experience of nature without excessive strain since time immemorial. The most popular route to the site is a pleasant hiking trail from Šestinski lagvić that meanders along the creek of Kraljevec through deep forest shade.

Count Miroslav Kulmer ordered the construction of the trail towards the end of the 19th century as a gift to his wife Elvira for her forest walks, and the trail was originally named after her. Nowadays, the trail is called Miroslavec, and the pleasant walk along it also provides the opportunity to learn something new, thanks to information panels placed along the way that explain the interesting geological structure and history of Medvednica to numerous hikers.

Kraljičin zdenac owes its current appearance to Milan Lenuci, urban planner and engineer who gave Zagreb its recognizable Green Horseshoe, a series of parks in downtown Zagreb. Mr. Lenuci was a dedicated member of the Croatian Mountaineering Association, and he frequently visited the forests of Medvednica in this part of the mountain. He introduced avenues to Zagreb through his urban planning projects, such as the street of Medvešćak leading towards Medvednica. The lines of trees characterizing this street resemble long green fingers that bring the lush vegetation of Medvednica deep into the city.

The unusually smooth and dark limestone cliff of Gorsko zrcalo or Mountain Mirror lies hidden in a dense forest above Markuševačka Trnava. It is one of the most attractive natural landmarks of the Medvednica Nature Park. This impressive rock 30 meters high has always been attracting adventurers eager to climb it. It was only in the 1960s that rock climbers Anton Filipčić and Neđo Jakić climbed the central route, so-called Centrala, by employing the aid technique. In the meantime, all routes at Gorsko zrcalo have also been explored by free climbing, and the rock still serves as favorite practicing site for Zagreb rock climbers and speleologists. Many of them have started their rock-climbing careers precisely on this site, as they entered the vertical world by learning rope descent techniques on this legendary rock.

In order to bring this wonderful locality closer to other visitors of the mountain, the staff of Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution cooperated with the company Croatian Waters in preparing the access path to Gorsko zrcalo. The path includes information panels and a small wooden bridge over a creek. There is also a renovated rain shelter with benches and tables along the creek at the very base of the rock. You do not have to be a fan of extreme sports to visit this charming small excursion site offering views of the most impressive rock of Medvednica, for it will bring refreshment after all the city noise to every nature enthusiast who chooses to visit it.

Note:

Gorsko zrcalo site can be reached along a marked trail from the chapel of St. Vitus in Markuševečka Trnava.

We warmly recommend a pleasant two-hour walk along the marked trail to the medieval salt mine that was used for the extraction of this precious commodity as early as in the 14th century. Information panels placed along the trail include many interesting stories about the natural, cultural and historical values of this part of the mountain, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn how was mining performed in the Middle Ages, how did salt end up below ground, and why the water of the creek is salty. According to historical records, people of the area, faced with the shortage of salt in the past, used water from salty wells called šokoti. There is a rain shelter with benches and tables for rest at the saltwater source. The picturesque village of Slani Potok with the chapel of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian can also be reached by car.

Chapel of Our Lady of Sljeme, Queen of Croatia

At 1001 meters above sea level, hidden in the shade of trees, lies the stone chapel bearing the name of Our Lady of Sljeme, Queen of Croatia. Built from the original stone and wood of Medvednica, the chapel is fully immersed in the surrounding nature.

Built in 1932 and designed by architect Juraj Denzler as part of the celebrations of one thousand years of the Croatian kingdom and 1300 years of baptism of the Croats, the chapel evokes the ancient Croatian churches of Dalmatia, and its interior is decorated with works of superb artists such as Radauš, Turkalj, Hudoklin and Stupica, inspired by Croatian motifs.

Materials were carefully selected as well, so the altar is made of white stone from the island of Brač, and the earthenware in the chapel was produced from clay from the area of Petrova gora. Even the Mass vestments made of silk incorporated the folk motifs from Croatian history.

Even though it has no regular parishioners, the chapel became a parish church of the unique Tourist Parish of Our Lady of Sljeme, Queen of Croatia in 1963, thus becoming the highest-altitude parish church in Croatia.

Note:

Open on Sundays from 10:00 till 12:00.

Information can be obtained by phone at 00385 (0)14580390.

Parish fair and Mass are held on the weekend in July following the holiday of Our Lady of Bistrica.

"Let’s go to Sljeme!" That is what citizens of Zagreb would say when they decide to visit any part of the mountain of Medvednica, although Sljeme is actually only the name of its highest peak. The peak itself is perhaps not as impressive as the best-known peaks of the Alps. Instead, it lies hidden in the forest, roughly in the middle of the steep mountain ridge.

Citizens got the chance to enjoy the view from Sljeme when the forest on top of the mountain was completely cleared in 1870. Thrilled with the view, hikers decided to build a pyramid on the peak made of solid wood. Although it was only four meters high, the small pyramid became the first constructed hiking facility of its sort in the history of Croatian mountaineering.

The terrace of the belvedere is located above the ski slopes, which represent yet another must-see attraction of Medvednica. Generations of citizens of Zagreb learned skiing on this small ski venue, including Janica and Ivica Kostelić, the siblings who made Croatian skiing famous throughout the world, and who brought World Cup slalom races to Medvednica. One lesser-known fact is that the first slalom race on Medvednica was held all the way back in March 1932, with the downhill race organized on the mountain the following year. The great Ingermar Stenmark also raced on the slopes of Sljeme. In 1986, he was fourth in the first run, but did not manage to finish the second run. For several years, there was a genuine ski jumping hill under the peak of Sljeme, with the longest recorded jump at 34 meters.

If the road takes you to Sljeme in wintertime, do not miss the joy of skiing on this "historic” ski site. In summer, you can rest on the terrace of the belvedere offering amazing views of pleasant hilly landscapes of the region of Zagorje.

Bliznec forest trail is located at the most visited entrance to the Medvednica Nature Park, and its route follows the course of the Bliznec creek. The trail is unique due to the fact that it is fully accessible to persons with disabilities. If you pass through 800 meters of the trail and check out the information panels placed along the route, you will find out a lot about the vivid history of this part of Medvednica and its plant and animal life. Since 2003, the trail also includes Stations of the Cross, with a number of believers congregating every Good Friday in order to pass the 14 stations.

In addition to being fully accessible to persons with disabilities and to families with small children, all information texts are also written in Braille, thus making them available to persons with visual impairments. In order to protect the Braille texts against damage, they are placed in unique "forest books”. The trail is predominantly made of wood, and it blends nicely into the natural environment, ending at the Bliznec sawmill with a restaurant. If you don’t have much time, but still wish to fill your lungs with clean air, rest your eyes on green crowns of trees and listen to the murmur of a mountain creek – a walk along this unique educational trail is warmly recommended.

This loop trail climbs high into the mountain, passing across the mountain ridge to the southern side and leading all the way to the Zrinski mine. The tour of the entire trail takes four to seven hours, depending on how much time the hikers decide to dedicate to enjoying the wonders of the forest, observing the hills of Zagorje, resting on forest glades or wondering along hidden forest paths. That is why it is not necessary to cover the entire trail at once; instead, you can return to it on multiple occasions, in order to rest, have some fun and clear your mind on Bistra (meaning "clear" in Croatian).

In the western part of Medvednica, hidden in the deep ravine of Vrabečka gora, lies the biggest cascade of Medvednica called Sopot, where waters of the Vrapčak creek dive from a rock nine meters high.

Above the cascade, there is a wooden bridge providing a direct view of this jewel of nature in deep forest shade, with only an occasional sunbeam penetrating through tree crowns and creating small rainbows and amazing shadows in the interplay of water droplets dancing in the air. During the summer, this hidden site on the mountain provides pleasant refreshment most of the time, with the exception of major drought periods when the cascade may occasionally even run dry. In harsh winters, the cascade freezes, and that is the time when climbers train ice climbing among its splendid icicles, barriers and "candles”.

Note:

The easiest way to reach the cascade is by hiking from the meadow of Ponikve along hiking trails 8 or 1M (taking around an hour and a half). Alternatively, visitors can take hiking trail 4 from Gornje Vrapče, passing next to a smaller cascade of Ferendol and the water source of Družinec with a romantic resting place equipped with benches on a forest glade (approx. 2 hours of hiking).

When looking at the western slopes of Medvednica, you can see impressive barren dolomite rocks. They are called Kameni svatovi, their name denoting a wedding procession made of stone. If you visit the site, you will be awarded with what is perhaps the most beautiful view of the region of Hrvatsko zagorje. In clear days, it is even possible to see the Alps. The easiest way to reach Kameni svatovi is from Jablanovac, using the marked hiking trail 7, taking less than one hour of hiking.

The legend of the origin of these rocks is known throughout Hrvatsko zagorje. Once upon a time, the son of a rich mill owner from Podsused fell in love with a poor girl. His father blessed their love, but the jealous mother could not possibly accept it. As the wedding procession came to the top of the hill, the angry woman shouted out a curse: "May I rather die than have Janja as my daughter-in-law! May the cursed company on that rock turn into stone forever!” As she shouted this curse, a horrible storm struck the area, and the wedding procession remained on the hill, turned into stone. A renowned Croatian author August Šenoa also wrote about this legend. With a little bit of imagination, we too can recognize the characters from his verses in the rocks on the site: "bride and groom, the best man so tall, and bridesman made of stone”...

Below the peak guarded by the cursed wedding procession turned into stone, there is a pleasant mountain hut open on Sundays and holidays.

As you descend from the mountain lodge Grafičar towards Zagreb along the Sljemenska Road, you will pass next to the peak of Veliki Plazur with the chapel of St. James on top.

This neo-Gothic chapel was built in 1847, on the site where a much older wooden chapel once stood before it ended up destroyed in a fire. The old chapel was dedicated to St. Barbara, considered as patron saint by miners throughout Europe. Miners from the Zrinski mine also visited this small chapel in order to pray to their patron saint for protection, in daily fear of mine collapse, water intrusion and fire. According to some sources, this small chapel was built after the fall of Medvedgrad and the destruction of the chapel of St. Philip and St. Jacob.

Note:

Parish fair and Mass are held on the weekend following the holiday of St. James in July.

One of the important stations of the pilgrimage route leading towards Marija Bistrica is the chapel of Our Lady of Snow, built in 1829 as a result of the efforts of parish priest Ignacije Ročić and major help provided by the parishioners of Čučerje. This Gothic chapel is located below the peak of Stražnjec (621 m.a.s.l.), next to a small cave with a source of drinking water, where many pilgrims quench their thirst on the long path towards Marija Bistrica. The chapel was fully renovated in 1957, when painter Ivan Tomljanović decorated its interior by frescoes.

If you wish to visit the chapel, you should go to the last bus station in Gornje Čučerje and climb to the chapel along the marked hiking trail 29 (the climb takes approximately one hour).

It is believed that there were once 13 mills on the creek of Ribnjak in the area of Gračani. Today, only one mill remains, protected as a monument of culture. You will find this site if you take the Isce Street in Gračani northwards for approximately 300 meters, and then turn left down into the Gračanski Ribnjak Street immediately before the small chapel of St. Raphael.

This street will bring you to the place where a small mill has been standing ever since 1773. Today’s mill was most probably rebuilt in the second half of the 19th century from oak planks connected using a special technique, so-called "nemške vugle". The mill is still grinding wheat for the needs of the Banić family, but also for the pleasure of frequent visitors.

Note:

The mill is located outside of the boundaries of Medvednica Nature Park.

The creek of Vukov dol flows through a winding valley along the road branching towards the village of Planina Gornja from the Ivana Mažuranića Road that connects the settlements of Kašina and Marija Bistrica. There were once ten mills on that creek, neglected like most mills of Medvednica and waiting for better days since the second half of the 20th century. Their value as cultural heritage has been recognized for quite some time.

However, it is only in recent ten years or so, that the initial steps started being undertaken to repair and restore them. The association Planinska družina is very active in this matter, aiming to protect stone and wooden mills in the area of Planina Gornja, and to build an educational ethnological trail along the creek of Vukov dol. Two mills have been renovated so far: the stone mill Tarandekov melin and the concrete mill Boscev melin. The wooden mill Babićev melin is also in the process of renovation, coupled with major interventions aiming to stop landslides in the area. The latter mill is marked by its characteristically joined beams in traditional Croatian technique called "hrvatski vez" and by its preserved stone foundations.

In the western area of Medvednica, north of the Gajnice neighborhood of Zagreb, a small solidly built mill stands at the address 109 Dubravica Street.

There were once as many as seven mills along the small creek, as the inhabitants of Dubravica will tell you. This particular mill was built in the 19th century as cooperative mill of the Coljak family. It is one of the few mills on Medvednica with its wheel still happily turning, thanks to the Trotić family that keeps it functional.

Note:

The mill is located outside of the boundaries of Medvednica Nature Park.

There were once many mill wheels turning along the creeks of the northern side of Medvednica. One such example is the recently renovated Majsec Mill in Obrtnička Street in Donja Stubica. Three traditional houses characteristic for the region of Zagorje have also been renovated together with the mill itself, jointly creating the Majsec Mill tourist facility.

Traditional corn varieties are thus again ground in the renovated mill, which is located in the area known as the Sun Valley, with its unique Croatian Iris Garden. The Garden is a joint effort of the Majsec family, Donja Stubica Tourist Board and many citizens and experts who sent iris bulbs from throughout Croatia, some even visiting the Garden to plant irises themselves. The Garden is at its best in May, when thousands of colorful iris flowers can be seen in all their splendor. However, the mill is worth visiting in other months too, when the property turns into a venue for traditional fairs and interesting events connected with the turbulent history of the area of Stubica.

The creeks of Medvednica were not used only as the source of power for grinding wheat and oil seeds. Water was also used to power fulling mills and sawmills, as well as mills that produced raw materials for paper in the past. An old sawmill on the creek of Bliznec, located downstream of the ranger station and next to what was once a city toll gate, operates as a restaurant today.

The sawmill was built in 1898, and it went out of business during World War II. It was producing wheelbarrows. In 1992, the Zagreb Forestry renovated the site and prepared a small exhibition area in it, together with old machines once used for wood processing. An old mill wheel fixed to the facade of the building was once used to power the sawmill, before a much more efficient turbine was installed. The area around the sawmill is a pleasant resting area today, its design pleasantly blending with the Bliznec trail next to the site that takes hikers downstream towards the city.

Without any doubt, Oršić Castle is the best-known building of the small settlement of Gornja Bistra. It is located at the end of the road branching south from the main road of Bistra, at the very edge of Medvednica. Its remarkable Baroque architecture is hidden from view by dense crowns of a long line of hornbeam trees along the entry to the estate.

The castle was built by count Krsto Oršić, and his heirs stayed there for an entire century. The French count Carion then purchased the castle from the Oršić family, and turned it into the most beautiful castle of the region of Hrvatsko zagorje. People referred to the count as a man of exquisite taste and extraordinary culture, and parts of the castle interior belong to the best-preserved examples of secular Baroque architecture in Croatia. The age of counts and nobility ended with World War II, after which the castle was nationalized in order to serve the people, and its purpose was dictated by various social needs. For a certain period of time, the castle thus served as home for problematic girls sent here from the streets of Zagreb into isolation. Later on, the castle was used as recuperation facility for children, and today it is home to a special children’s hospital for chronic diseases.

Golubovec castle between Donja Stubica and Gornja Stubica

The romantic castle of Golubovec is located half way between Donja Stubica and Gornja Stubica, in an enchanting park forest next to Vilinske poljane. The castle once belonged to the estate of Susedgrad and Stubica. In the 17th and 18th century, it was owned by the Mallakoczy family of Susedgrad and the Domjanić family of Zelina. Regina Domjanić decided to build a splendid Baroque castle on the place where a more modest building once stood.

The elegant pleasure garden around the castle was built by Maksimilijan Vrhovac, the bishop of Zagreb who bought the estate towards the beginning of the 19th century. The design of the garden was inspired by English landscape parks, and the site represents a valuable example of garden architecture of its time.

The charming, recently fully renovated mill is located in the hamlet of Ročići in the area of Markuševec, next to the bus station at the confluence of creeks Bidrovec and Trnava. Its wheel is powered by the water of the Bidrovec creek.

The old mill was originally built here in 1888, but that mill collapsed, and a faithful replica was built on the spot in 2007, using oak planks connected in traditional Croatian technique. One item from the old mill that has remained preserved is the millstone – the heart and soul of every mill. It still regularly grinds small quantities of corn and barley.

Note:

The mill is located outside of the boundaries of Medvednica Nature Park, and no information is available regarding visiting possibilities.

According to the tales of the locals, there were once ten mills on the creek of Bidrovec. However, they were severely damaged when the creek flooded in 1953. The Ferenčak Mill is the oldest preserved mill in the area of Markuševec. The locals refer to it as Jurencov melin, after a nickname of its current owner Juraj Ferenčak.

The mill is made of horizontally placed hewn and sown wooden beams connected in traditional German construction technique. There are two rooms in the mill – one serves as the milling area, and the other serves as area for cases and bags for flour and a bed for the miller to rest. The milling machinery is fully preserved and it is still functional today. This small wooden mill can be found hidden next to the creek below two willow trees, roughly opposite of 53 Bidrovečka Road.

Note:

The mill is located outside of the boundaries of Medvednica Nature Park, and no information is available regarding visiting possibilities.

According to legend, there were once as many as eleven mills on the creek of Lipa flowing through Čučerje. Unfortunately, not a single mill is functional today, but visitors can still see several wooden houses hiding the dormant millstones. One such wooden mill can be found on the right side of the road leading from the center of the settlement of Čučerje towards Marija Snježna, not far from the settlement.

A couple of kilometers upstream, in the hamlet of Jakopovići in Gornje Čučerje, stands a mill originally built as the cooperative mill of the Jakopović family in the second half of the 19th century. You can find the mill by crossing the bridge across the creek in Jakopovići and going approximately thirty meters downstream from that point. Carved beams of warm wooden sun will greet you on the doors to the mill.

Note:

The mill is located outside of the boundaries of Medvednica Nature Park, and no information is available regarding visiting possibilities.

Stjepko Gregorijanec, the last master of Medvedgrad, built this castle in Šestine back in the 16th century, and moved into it with his family in 1590, when Medvedgrad ended up destroyed in a devastating earthquake. Later on, the castle was owned by the families of Zrinski, Čikulin, Sermage and Kulmer.

The last owner of the castle was the renowned painter Ferdinand Kulmer, who lost all of his possessions following World War II, including the castle itself. The caste was completely destroyed in a fire and ammunition explosion towards the end of the war. It was restored from ruin towards the beginning of the 21st century, when one private company bought and renovated it. Even though it is closed to the public, the impressive Neo-Renaissance castle on a hill above the neighborhood of Šestine still reminds us of the glory days of Croatian nobility.

Note:

The castle is located right next to the boundary of the Medvednica Nature Park.

Junković manor, the center of what was once the estate of Gornji Stenjevec, was first mentioned in historical records in the mid-16th century. The estate was owned by the families of Vojković, Rattkay, Rauch and Sermage over the years. In 1825, it was bought by the family of Junković, whose family coat of arms can be seen on a gable above the balcony on the western facade of the building.

The park surrounding the castle is protected as a monument of park architecture, and it also includes one elegant oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) five hundred years old. This fascinating old tree impresses visitors with its mighty tree trunk 6.5 meters in circumference and 2.1 meters in diameter. Despite its remarkable age, the tree is completely healthy.

Note:

The manor is located outside of the boundaries of the Medvednica Nature Park.

The settlement of Gornja Stubica is known for the major Croatian-Slovene Peasant Revolt of 1573 that took place in the area, and that became synonymous with the quest of "ordinary man" for justice. Two key landmarks of Gornja Stubica are dedicated to this historical event – the castle of Oršić with its Museum of the Peasant Revolt, and a large monument to Matija Gubec, the leader of the Revolt.

What is interesting about the site is that the Museum of the Peasant Revolt is located precisely in the castle of Oršić, built on the place where the notorious nobility that the peasants rebelled against had once lived. If one puts aside the anger of mistreated peasants, it has to be said that the castle is a truly beautiful Baroque building. It was built by count Krsto Oršić in 1756, on the site of a medieval citadel the remains of which can still be seen in the courtyard. The exhibition at the museum goes beyond numerous peasant revolts, and covers the entire period of feudalism from the Middle Ages until the abolition of serfdom in 1848. This castle is one of the few castles in the region of Hrvatsko zagorje that did not have gardens around it. The reason lies in the extraordinary views of the valley of Stubica and the northern slopes of the mountain of Medvednica that can be enjoyed from this site, so the castle simply "borrowed" these views instead of creating its own park vistas. Today, however, visitors can enjoy a beautiful garden designed by Dragutin Kiš on the occasion of the opening of the museum in 1973.

In the garden spreading around the castle, there is an impressive monument to the Peasant Revolt and to its leader, designed by the renowned sculptor Antun Augustinčić. The relief above Petrica Kerempuh, a well-known character of Croatian literature and the best-known "troubadour" of the region of Zagorje, tells the tale of historical troubles in bronze. Daily life full of blood depicted in the artwork merges with creatures rising from the collective imagination of exhausted folk.

Every year towards the beginning of June, the castle attracts many visitors with its spectacular Knights' Tournament. Visitors can see how knights fought on horses, how they organized sieges of towns, and how the warriors tested their strength and skill of handling weaponry. In addition to the Tournament, a fair of traditional medieval crafts is organized as well, together with fun educational workshops and plays for children.

Note:

The castle is located outside of the boundaries of the Medvednica Nature Park.

Mali Plazur, a peak on the southern slope of the mountain of Medvednica, is home to a picturesque medieval fortress watching over Zagreb for as many as eight centuries.

The fortress was built in 1254, after a disastrous incursion of the Tatars who conquered the surrounding areas in a devastating attack, destroying and burning Zagreb to the ground. Back in those days, Zagreb consisted of the civil settlement on the hill of Gradec and the episcopal seat on the neighboring hill of Kaptol. Even though Medvedgrad was built primarily to protect the citizens, the bishop and church treasure, it soon turned into the center of attention in economic and political turbulences of the era, due to its perfect strategic position. In its history, it has changed a number of masters, replacing one another through various marital combinations, sales and purchases, deceitful plots and conspiracies. Even though Medvedgrad had superb defenses and it was always ready to fight, it was actually never attacked. In fact, the masters of Medvedgrad would frequently fill up their treasury and warehouses by pillaging the surrounding villages; sometimes they would even attack the town of Zagreb itself. The counts of Celje were the most notorious inhabitants of Medvedgrad. In the mid-15th century, their terror was so strong that many inhabitants of Gradec abandoned their homes. Terrifying tales about the countess Barbara of Celje – the notorious Black Queen – still survive in villages on the foothills of the mountain.

Medvedgrad was finally abandoned in 1590, after it was destroyed in a horrible earthquake, following which its last rulers from the family of Gregorian moved to a more modern and pleasant castle in Šestine. Since then, the fortress on a hill was decaying for centuries. For a while, its only visitors were adventurers and treasure hunters looking for the wealth allegedly hidden by the notorious Black Queen somewhere under the town.

It was only in 1979 that systematic archaeological research started on site, together with the conservation of walls and reconstruction of individual segments of this medieval Croatian fortress. The octagonal chapel of St. Philip and St. Jacob was thus saved from the ruins, together with the southern defense tower, the residential palace, and some other parts of the ancient fortress.

In 1994, a work of sculptor Kuzma Kovačić was installed under the southern tower. Called Oltar domovine (Homeland Altar), it holds eternal flame in honor of all Croatian heroes.

Today’s visitors of Medvedgrad can explore this ancient fortress either on their own or through guided tours, as they learn more about the so-called "dark” Middle Ages. They can also purchase souvenirs in the souvenir shop located in part of the complex called Veliki palas.

Plans for the near future include construction of a modern visitor center, which would bring new life into this medieval town in the mountain.

Opening hours:

April – September: from 11:00 till 19:00 every day except Mondays.
October: from 10:00 till 18:00 every day except Mondays.
November: from 8:30 till 16:00 every day except Mondays.
December – March: closed; visits possible on prior notice and by arrangement with Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution.

Even though it may not seem as attractive as some other caves popular as tourist destinations, Veternica is characterized by certain details that cannot be encountered all that often in other caves. Your guide will thus surely point out the diverse erosion forms caused by water vortexes, the jaw of a cave bear, fossil mud, stone waterfall, Well of Wishes in the Concert Hall, fossils of ancient bivalves and sea urchins, and other intriguing findings.

The ancient inhabitants of Zagreb, Neanderthal hunters of the Mousterian culture, cherished the cult of the cave bear – a very frequent inhabitant of the cave. Other extinct animal species have also left their traces here, including the cave lion, leopard, cave hyena, rhinoceros, aurochs and giant deer.

Today’s masters of the dark channels of Veternica are mysterious night flyers – the bats. As many as 18 bat species have been recorded in Veternica, and 12 bat species are regularly wintering in the cave. That is why the cave is not open to visitors during winter, in order to avoid disturbance of bats during the sensitive period of hibernation or winter sleep. Bats are also the reason why special bat-friendly grille doors have been installed at the entrance to Veternica. These doors allow free passage to bats, while preventing the entrance of unwanted visitors, thus safeguarding these strange small animals and their cave home.

Due to its many values, Veternica was protected as a geomorphological monument of nature back in 1979.

Opening hours:

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (with the exception of Easter and All Saints’ Day) from April until the end of October: guides are on duty for visitors from 10:00 till 16:00.

Note: In July and August, the cave can be visited only on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 till 16:00.

On working days, visits are possible by arrangement with the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution for groups of not less than 20 visitors.

Important note: In case of adverse weather forecast, there is no Park staff on duty in front of the cave, and the cave cannot be visited!

Work in the mine was extremely hard, with thirty or so miners manually extracting valuable ore in shifts that lasted ten to twelve hours, using nothing but hammers, wedges, picks and shovels in the process, as the dark tunnels of the mine were lit only by the flickering light of oil lamps and wax candles. Despite their immense efforts, this mine never provided particularly abundant yield: it took as much as one ton of galena to obtain only half a kilo of silver! That is why the owners of the mine, members of the Zrinski family, stopped production in the mine already in the mid-17th century, leaving the mysterious underground of Medvednica to moisture, darkness and underground creatures. From time to time, the tranquility of the mine would be disturbed only by an occasional rockslide in abandoned tunnels. It was only in 2004 that the staff of the Medvednica Nature Park prepared the mine for visits. Since then, tunnels in the mine have been quite busy, as numerous visitors with colorful protection helmets listen to stories of hard work in the mine told by guides. Visitors can listen to conversations between miners and their manager (bergmeister) about an accident that just happened, as they watch wooden sculptures of miners, explore the site immersed in the sound of water drops and hammers hitting the rock, and touch the tools used in the mine at that time, in deep respect for the toil of miners.

Due to its inherent value, the Zrinski mine earned the status of protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia in 2006. Deeply respectful towards the generations of miners and everything that they have achieved, we invite you to visit their mine and to discover a small portion of its secrets.

Opening hours:

Sundays and holidays (with the exception of Easter and All Saints’ Day) from April until the end of October: guides are on duty for visitors from 11:00 till 17:00.

Note: In July and August, the mine can be visited only on Sundays and holidays from 11:00 till 17:00.

On working days, visits are possible by arrangement with the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution for groups of not less than 20 visitors.

Public Institution

Medvednica Nature Park

Address

Bliznec 70, 10 000 Zagreb

Director

dr.sc. Marina Popijač

Point of contact for questions

Andrea Kostelić

Phone: 00385 (0)1 458 6317

Fax: 00385 (0)1 458 6318

E-mail: [email protected]

Directions

Public transport

By bus

Zagreb Bus Terminal: Upon arriving to the Zagreb Bus Terminal, you can take the public city transport (Zagrebački električni tramvaj – ZET). Take the tram line 8 to the end station of Mihaljevac, or tram line 6 to the square Trg bana Jelačića and then tram line 14 to the end station of Mihaljevac. There is a special bus line 140 (Tomislavov dom) taking passengers from Mihaljevac into the Nature Park, all the way to Sljeme as the highest peak of Medvednica.

By train

Zagreb Central Railway Station: Upon arriving to the Central Railway Station, you can take the public city transport (Zagrebački električni tramvaj – ZET). Take the tram line 6 or 13 to the square Trg bana Jelačića. Once there, take the tram line 14 to the end station of Mihaljevac. There is a special bus line 140 (Tomislavov dom) taking passengers from Mihaljevac into the Park, all the way to Sljeme as the highest peak of Medvednica.

By car

Western entrance to Zagreb:

If you arrive from the northwest along the E59 road or from the west along the A3 road, drive to the Jankomir junction. Once there, choose the exit Zagreb zapad (Zagreb West). Continue driving eastwards along Ljubljanska Avenue and Zagrebačka Avenue all the way to the intersection with the Savska Road. Turn left to Savska Road from Zagrebačka Avenue, and continue driving to the Vukotinovićeva Street. Turn right into that street and drive straight eastwards until you reach the intersection with Draškovićeva Street. Turn left into Draškovićeva Street and drive until you reach the intersection with Đorđićeva Street. Turn right into Đorđićeva Street, and then turn left into Smičiklasova Street. Continue driving straight northwards until you reach the intersection with the Vlaška Street. Turn left into Vlaška Street, and then turn right into Medvešćak Street. Continue driving straight until you reach the end tram station of Mihaljevac. Turn right to Gračanska Road and continue driving until you reach the Bliznec Street. Turn left into Bliznec Street and continue driving straight.

Southwestern entrance to Zagreb:

If you arrive from the southwest along the E65/E71/A1 road, continue driving straight along Jadranska Avenue until you reach a major roundabout called Rotor. Once there, take the third exit towards the bridge called Jadranski most. Continue straight across that bridge until you reach the intersection with the Selska Road. Turn right to Selska Road, and then turn left to Savska Road. Continue driving northwards along Savska Road until you reach the Vukotinovićeva Street. Turn right into that street and drive straight eastwards until you reach the intersection with Draškovićeva Street. Turn left into Draškovićeva Street and drive until you reach the intersection with Đorđićeva Street. Turn right into Đorđićeva Street, and then turn left into Smičiklasova Street. Continue driving straight northwards until you reach the intersection with the Vlaška Street. Turn left into Vlaška Street, and then turn right into Medvešćak Street. Continue driving straight until you reach the end tram station of Mihaljevac. Turn right to Gračanska Road and continue driving until you reach the Bliznec Street. Turn left into Bliznec Street and continue driving straight.

Eastern entrance to Zagreb:

If you arrive from the northeast along the E71 or from the east along the A3 road, drive to the Ivanja Reka junction and choose the exit Zagreb istok (Zagreb East). Continue driving straight westwards along Slavonska Avenue until you reach the turn for Heinzelova Street. Turn right to Heinzelova Street and continue straight to Vukovarska Street. Turn left into Vukovarska Street and continue straight to the square Trg žrtava fašizma. Turn right and then take the second exit to the right into Smičiklasova Street. Continue straight northwards to Vlaška Street. Turn left into Vlaška Street and then turn right into Medvešćak Street. Continue driving straight until you reach the end tram station of Mihaljevac. Turn right to Gračanska Road and continue driving until you reach the Bliznec Street. Turn left into Bliznec Street and continue driving straight.

Entrance from the Zagorje side:

Visitors should drive from Stubičke Toplice along the Strmečka Road and Strmec Stubički via Pila to the top of the mountain of Medvednica.

Park entrances

Main entrance (Bliznec entrance with the adjacent information center)

Parking available (50 spaces)

Pila entrance (on the Zagorje side)

Parking available (40 spaces).

Šestine entrance

Parking available (45 spaces).

In addition to the most frequently used entrances to the Park mentioned above, there are many other Park entrances available as well.

Where to buy tickets

Veternica cave (Glavica bb)

Zrinski mine (Malo Sljeme bb)

Medieval town of Medvedgrad (Sljemenska cesta bb)

Visit the official Park website at http://www.pp-medvednica.hr

Nature Park Medvednica

Story of the Park

Park ID Card - information about the Park

Natural Heritage

Plant world

Animal world

Water world

Geology

Cultural and historical heritage

Life on Medvednica

Castles, villages and a mine

Activities

Bicycling

Trail 1 (Mirror Trail)

Trail 2 (Breathless Trail)

Trail 3 (Puntarska Trail)

Trail 4 (Šimunska Trail)

Trail 5 (Vrabečka trail)

Trail 6 (Bistra Trail)

Trail 7 (Ethno Trail)

Trail 8 (Top Connecting Trail)

Trail 9 (Circular Trail)

Enduro cycling trail "BK Opušteno"

Alpinism/climbing

Gorsko zrcalo

Cave tours

Veternica cave

Zrinski mine

Fishing

Fish ponds Golubovec

Sport and recreation fish pond Jarki

Paragliding and flying

Take-off site Medvednica (Glistin start)

Educational trails

Forest trail Bliznec

Geological educational trail Miroslavec

500 Horvat stairs

Educational trail Bistra

Slani potok

Sopot cascade

Kameni svati

Gorsko zrcalo

Mary's Pilgrimage Route

Geological pillar

Schools in nature

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: "Suppose I were a tree?"

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Forest products and fruits

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: The network of life

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Birds and worms

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Orientation

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Bats

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Forest adventure

Educational program "Forest around us". Topic: Nature protection forum

Visit to Medvedgrad

Visit to the Zrinski mine

Visit to the cave of Veternica

Visit to Medvedgrad + Educational program "Forest around us"

Visit to the Zrinski mine + Educational program "Forest around us"

Visit to the cave of Veternica + Educational program "Forest around us"

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad + visit to the cave of Veternica

Deciduous forest

Visit to the Zrinski mine with expert tour (deciduous forest) and a visit to Medvedgrad

Šestine – Miroslavec – Kraljičin zdenac – Medvedgrad

Guided tours

Visit to the medieval town of Medvedgrad

Zrinski mine

Veternica cave

Visit to the Zrinski mine + visit to Medvedgrad + visit to the cave of Veternica

Medvedgrad and Kraljičin zdenac – a walk shrouded in legend

Easy hike to the peak of Medvednica

500 Horvat Stairs

Gorsko zrcalo

Accommodation and catering

Mountain lodge - Glavica

Mountain lodge - Grafičar

Mountain lodge - Grofica

Mountain lodge - Lipa

Mountain hut - Lojzekov izvor

Mountain hut - Kameni svati