Gorski Kotar, Mountain District, Croatia

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Your whole body will be in harmony with the healthy and agreeable mountain climate, your soul amazed by horizons spread from the rocky peaks, sounds of silence and rippling mountain rivers, within an hour drive from numerous bays and marines along the Kvarner coastline and islands - all that is a hallmark of Gorski Kotar location.

Gorski Kotar region brings you a wealth of experiences all the year round. After enjoying summer seaside resorts and sailing along Kvarner islands, spending evenings at mountain parties in Gorski Kotar, or after winter days spent in snow, lying back and enjoying the warmth of sea-water swimming pools in famous resorts of Kvarner Riviera is an experience you'll wish to repeat.

No matter how many times you visit Gorski Kotar, it will always be an encounter of undeniable attraction of preserved forest areas, hidden valleys, clear rivers and lakes of National Park Risnjak, strict nature reserves, beauty spots and cultural heritage, rural and traditional values and, above all, provide you with sincere and warm hospitality of Gorski Kotar people.

Not only does this clear mythical landscape enthuse your body with the feeling of cheer but also arouses sense of tranquillity and selfpossession.

Such an experience is beyond pictures and words.

FORESTS, TRAILS AND PARKS

Setting out into the shelter of intact forest area means coming to Gorski Kotar region. Area of unique National Park Risnjak, forest Golubinjak, Japlenški vrh (Japlenški Peak), Sungerski lug (Sunger grove), special reserve and protected landscapes. It is an experience of highest ecological and biological diversities that Gorski Kotar people appreciate.

National Park Risnjak

This Museum in Nature, a fairly small area within an easy reach. The park basts ten forest clusters, fifty-one bird species, numerous mammals, educational nature trail Leska, mountain peaks Great Risnjak (1528 m) and Snježnik (1506 m), Leska valley, Viljska sink-hole, meadow Lazac, hydro-geomorphologic nature phenomenon - the source of the river Kupa (Kupa lake), and spruce-f orest Smrekovac.

Educational Nature Trail Leska

It is one of the first facilities of its kind in Croatia. At an altitude of 690m, adapted to hikers of average fitness, 4200m long, the trail provides a opportunity to see forest clusters, sink-holes, windswept area, mountain meadows and isolated country households. Accommodation and food: Lodge on Schlosser meadow and Snježnik, motel NP Risnjak with its renowned restaurant for its specialities.

Forest Park, Goulubinjak, Lokve

The protected forest area with monolithic rock only 1 km away from the centre of Lokve; numerous caves (Ledena, Golubinja), trim paths, rock-climbing, catering facilities, sculptor’s outdoor studio and a lot more

Forest Park, Japlenski Vrh, Delnice

The protected forest area close to Delnice (842m), with numerous paths, walkways, recreational facilities as well as training for climbing, and a 70-meters long ski jump, masked jumps at carnival season. In summertime, every Friday and Sunday at 22:00, on the ski jump Delnice, trumpeter performs 6 occasional tunes for the whole town before they turn in.

Reserve, Debela Lipa, Velika Rebar, Lokve

Protected forest area - fir-tree forest with Rebraca on the limestone ground.

Protected Landscape- Petehovac, Delnice

This undulating forest plateau is ideal for summer walks and relaxation, plus winter skiing. There is a newly built hotel of the mountain centre Petehovac as well as a kilometer long ski run with a ski lift on the Stimcev vrh (1024m).

Sungerski Lug (Sunger Grove)

Fir-tree forest reserve between Lokve and Mrkopalj.

Veliki Drgomalj, Delnice

With the highest peak of 1154m altitude, the forest area over Kupa valley offers breathtaking view over the valley and Kuželj rock.

WATERS AND LAKES

Beauty Spot - Kupa Source with its Countryside

One of the strongest, largest and deepest of Croatia's wells with fascinating green-blue colour at 313m altitude under the western slopes of mountain Risnjak. Easy access to the Kupa source is accessible by nature trail (about half an hour's walk) from the village Razloge (554m) or from the Kupa valley with a starting point at the village Hrvatsko (296m).

The River Kupa - Kupa Valley

Hydrological, geomorphologic and landscape phenomena with its bright colour, cleanliness, and picturesque canyon valleys. An exceptional Croatian landscape.

The River Dobra

River Dobra is the second biggest river in Gorski Kotar. Its clear water and waterfalls attract holidaymakers as well as fishermen for grayling and trout. Its flow disappears in unique Dulin precipice near Ogulin, and then, gushes out again in a strong Well.

The Cabranka Source

Cabranka, left tributary of the River Kupa, springs at 546m under the hill Obrh. Near the source there is a catering establishment with its famous offerings, and a trim path to the Well.

Nature Reserve Vrazji Prolaz and Zeleni Vir, Jasale Waterfall, Skrad

A mjor feature of this area are paths and plank-bridges among steep rocks over the foaming mountain stream Jasle; with 72-metre high waterfall over the half-cave and the source.

Nature Reserve, Canyon Kamacnik, Vrbovsko

Kamacnik stream cut in the gorge is almost three km long. Trim paths and plankbridges connect forest landscape full of gorges, rocks and caves. The best quality catering establishment.

Lokve Lake, Lokve

An artificial lake, 2.1 km large, 40m deep, extending to the foot of mountain Risnjak. It provides the perfect opportunity for walks by the lake, bathing in summer, and fishing all year round. This is the lake in which one of the largest trout in the world has been caught!

Bajer Lake, Lepenica, Fuzine

Bajer lake was formed on the sunken valley Licanka. The Lepenica lake, on the other hand, was created by the dam constructed on the river, and the lake was name after it. Various recreation and sports are available here, as well an catering facilities.

Cogrljino Jezero, Vrbovsko

A well-kept nature trail along the lake with interesting plants along the way.

MOUNTAINS AND UNDERGROUND CAVES

Strict Reserve, Bijele and Samarske Stijene, Mrkopalj, Mrkopalj

It is an area of exceptional beauty, unique geomorphologic Karst phenomenon hidden in the forest, with a number of interesting animal and plants. The most beautiful forms in the area are Bijele Stijene (White Cliffs) (1335m) shapes of crooks, turrets, gates and arches. Vertical cracks and grooves in limestone where snow lingers all year round. Samarske Stijene (Rocks) (1302m) have even richer fauna but are not easily accessible. The Rocks can be approached from Mrkopalj and Tuka. In Bijele Stijene is a mountain shelter and in Samarske Stijene there are two mountain lodges (please call to request their availability).

Risnjak Peaks

A tangle of rocky tops and separated crests in the most western part of mountain Risnjak and its namesake National Park with an altitude of over 1400m. Veliki Risnjak (1528m) is singled out as one a most beautiful belvedere, together with Mali Risnjak (1448 m), Sjeverni Mali Risnjak (1434 m).

Snjeznik

Stone peak of Veliki Snježnik (1506 m), Croatian Snjeznik, is fringed by flowery high mountain meadows. It is a part of National Park Risnjak.

Kavranova Stijena and Peric, Skrad Peak, Skrad

Covered by forest, Skrad Peak hides a huge rock which ravens used to nest on Kavranova Stijena, and the nature trail provides an easy access to Peric gazebo.

Bjelolasica

The highest peak of Gorski Kotar (1533 m).

Caves Lokvarka, Lipa

1200-metre long trim paths and stairs render the visit to several halls abundant with cave stoned-ornaments and underground lake. Temperature reaches 6-8°C. Year-round visits are possible. From July to August guided tours are organised (10:00-17:00).

Vrelo, Fuzine

The cave is only three km away from the town centre with the total length of 300 m and year-round visits. Trim paths, numerous stone cave ornaments, and a crystal-clear water brook running through the cave.

Hajdova Hiza, Drgomalj, Delnice

The largest cave in Gorski Kotar. Because of its poor access it is accessible only for speleologists.

KARST PHENOMENA

Ceclje

It is a deep round craggy valley (1232 m) located in the area north of Obruc.

Pakleno

The Obruc massif (1377 m) abundance in deep karst valleys and steep rocks with rich karst shapes.

Trstenik

At an altitude of 980 m Trstenik lies in a nature depression with its running spring water.

Ice Pits, Pilarova ledenica, Mrzle Drage, Mrkopalj

Among numerous ice-pits in Gorski Kotar the most famous one is named after Dr. Duro Pilar, a Croatian geologist. It is ice-covered all year round.

PILGRIMAGE TO MARIAN SHRINES

Shrine of Our Lady of Svetogorska (Saint Mountain), Gerovo

The renowned highland shrine above Gerovo was first mentioned in 1504. The church with its massive bell-tower is located on the mountain slope, 794 m above see-level. Miraculous statue of Our Lady with the Child takes the central place in the church over the tabernacle on the main altar. Pilgrimage season begins on the first Sunday in May, continues on Whit Monday and the first Sunday after the feast of Our Lady of Carmel. The feast of the Nativity of Our Lady (September 8) is a three-day church festivity connected to the second Sunday in September "Garski Sejmo", when numerous pilgrims from Gorski Kotar, Primorje, islands and Slovenia arrive. (Holy mass is served in Slovenian).

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, Mrkopalj

Every year on the third Sunday in September pilgrims from Gorski Kotar and Primorje arrive to this well know shrine. Monumental steps lead to this greatest sacred monument of Mrkopalj. The church is dominated by the wooden polychromatic statue of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows with the dead body of Jesus Christ, which is the work of self-taught sculptor from Mrkopalj.

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Kozji vrh (Zalosni vrh), Prezid

This is a famous destination of pilgrims from Gorski Kotar and Slovenia for the three greatest pilgrimage feasts: Whit Monday, "Finkiste" and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) and in September on first Sunday after the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Svetogorska (Saint Mountain).

Our Lady of Snow, Lic

This shrine located on the site where the previous church was destroyed during the World War II attracts more and more pilgrims on the vast Lic field.

Our Lady of Scapular Moravicka Sela

One of the oldest churches in Gorski Kotar built in the early 17th century. Every year on July 16, there is a holy mass and occasional sporting events and entertainment. Speciality: car benediction.

St. Anna's Church, Mali Lug

On St. Anna’s day (July 26) liturgical and secular ceremonies take place at one of the oldest sacred monuments of Gorski Kotar. The church has recently been refurbished with unique octagonal ground-alyout.

Our Lady of St. Rosary, Velika Lesnic

The Shrine of Our Lady of St. Rosary, built in 18th century, is renowned for three greatest pilgrimage days: the first Sunday after Easter, The Nativity of Our Lady (September 8), the first Sunday in October (St. Rosary).

Marija Trost, Delnice, (Our Lady of Consolation)

Marija Trost’s Church or the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation serves High Mass on special occasions such as the second Sunday in October and White Sunday.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES, Begovo Razdolje
Holy mass and pilgrimage on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15

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