Activities

EASY WALKS

MATIĆ PLANE

Distance: 3 km (7 minutes by car)

Matić Plane is a picturesque grassy mountain plateau, approximately 300 meters wide and 3 km long, renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance. The plateau is traversed by a gravel road leading to Jasenak and Ogulin, with another road joining it from the left, coming from Begovo Razdolje. To the south, forest roads branch off, and one path leads through the pine forests around Maj Hill, offering a scenic bike route to Mrkopalj via Zagmajna (refer to the Cycling section bellow for more details).

The area is also famous for its 28 stone monoliths, which serve as memorials to the fallen World War II fighters.

Matić plane

LOKVARKA CAVE AND LAKE LOKVE

Distance: 14 km (17 minutes by car)

The Lokvarka Cave is one of the most remarkable caves of the Croatian karst. The cave was discovered by chance in 1911 by Jakov Bolf Talijanetov during limestone excavation. The cave consists of six levels, with the first four open to visitors. The explored section of the cave spans 1,179 meters in length and reaches a depth of 275 meters. Inside, the temperature remains between 7°C and 9°C.

Nearby, you’ll find the stunning Lokvar Lake, formed by a dam on the Lokvarka River. Surrounded by a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests, the lake reaches a depth of 40 meters. The scenic circular trail around the lake is about 17 km long and passes by the highly recommended restaurant Eva . The trail is well-marked with “POJ” signs. For more information on the trail, please refer to HERE

Lokvarka cave

PARK FOREST GOLUBINJAK

Distance: 15 km (17 minutes by car)

Golubinjak Park Forest is a breathtaking green expanse surrounded by towering coniferous trees and striking white cliffs. The natural beauty of the area leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. A scenic 11-kilometer tourist trail takes you past highlights such as the “Queen of the Forest” and fascinating small caves that you can crawl through.

In addition to the charming restaurant, the park offers a children’s playground, a multi-purpose sports field, and a barbecue area for those looking to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Golubinjak was designated a protected park forest in 1955, preserving its unique beauty for future generations.

Park forest Golubinjak

KAMAČNIK

Distance: 33 km (45 min. in the direction of Zagreb)

The landscape of Kamačnik delights visitors with its beauty, and is an excellent destination for families with children. The Kamačnik River flows through the Velika Kapela massif and flows into the river Dobra with a small waterfall at the mouth.

A pedestrian path with wooden bridges, galleries, and educational sound installations runs through the picturesque canyon. The destination is a beautiful karst spring more than 100 meters deep. Renowned Croatian mountaineer Željko Poljak described Kamačnik as “a neighborhood full of wild romance.”

At the mouth of Kamačnik. where it meets the Dobra River, you’ll find a parking area and the Kamačnik Restaurant, where visitors can savor local specialties.

Kamačnik

GREEN SPRING and DEVIL’S PASSAGE

Distance: 27 km (40 minutes by car)

Located not far from Skrad, this protected area features two captivating natural attractions: Green Spring and Devil’s Passage. Due to its outstanding beauty and geological value, the area has been declared a geomorphological reserve. Additionally, the first hydroelectric power station in the region, Munjara, built in 1921, is still operational with its original machinery and is considered a technical monument.

THE GREEN SPRING is located in a shallow cave at the base of a 70-meter-high rock, where a stream flows down, creating a waterfall just before the entrance. Inside, the cave hides an emerald-green lake, the water of which is used by the Munjara hydroelectric plant. The Curak and Jasle Creeks merge downstream, producing lovely waterfalls before flowing into the Kupica River.

DEVIL’S PASSAGE is one of the most striking canyons in Gorski Kotar. Stretching 800 meters and narrowing to just 2 meters in places, this canyon was carved by centuries of water erosion. The Jasle Creek runs through this enchanting canyon, where visitors can explore an attractive promenade with numerous bridges.

Green Well

BAJER LAKE AND FUŽINE

Distance: 20 km (25 minutes by car)

Fužine is a popular tourist destination known for its three lakes — Bajer, Lepenica, and Potkoš — all nestled within a hilly landscape. These lakes attract nature lovers, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The oldest and most visited of these lakes is Bajer Lake, with an average depth of 2 to 7 meters (6 to 20 feet). It offers boating opportunities and is surrounded by a scenic promenade. The largest of the three lakes is Lepenica Lake, which, during summer, reaches warm temperatures (over 23°C). With its depth of 18 meters, it also hosts various events, including the World Orienteering Diving Championships.

On weekends, you can visit the Roswell Cowboy Village near Fužine, a unique attraction built for the 2015 film about the legendary Indian Chief Winnetou. During the summer months, another exciting attraction is tubing on the sledding trail at Vrata.

GASTRONOMY

Gorski Kotar restaurants offer a wide range of authentic dishes that reflect the tradition and natural beauty of this mountainous region. These are the restaurants we like to visit when we’re not cooking at the Casa Natura mountain house:

Kučica

3 km (5 min by car)Ul. Novi Varoš 90, Mrkopalj+385 91 9219749Thursday to Sunday from 13 – 21 hbuffet.kucica

Located at the foot of the Čelimbaša ski resort in Mrkopalj, the Kučica buffet is known for the authentic and simple dishes of Gorski Kotar. Try daily meals, barbecued meals, burgers, and pizzas prepared with fresh, homemade ingredients. The pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff make it a popular destination for all lovers of the Traditional cuisine of Gorski Kotar.

Mountain lodge Bijele stijene

0,6 km (1 min by car)Tučka ulica 30, Tuk Vojni+385 99 3550060Please check!Planinarski-dom-Bijele-stijene

A mountain lodge with delicious home-made cuisine located in the picturesque village of Tuk near CASA NATURE, it is known for its excellent simple main dishes and strudels, as well as its hospitable hosts. Food is prepared most weekends during the season, but be sure to check before you arrive.

Tron

20 km (23 min)Supilova ul. 45, Delnice+385 51 508 284Tuesday to Sundayrestoran-tron

Authentically decorated family bistro offering daily menus and main dishes from classic to interesting combinations of Traditional cuisine of Gorski Kotar. They are known for their game dishes and rich pizzas. In season, there may be a lunch line on weekends, but usually, the waiter will find a seat for you quickly.

Eva

20 km (25 min)Gorski Raj 4, Lokve+385 51 270 500Wednesday to Sundayeva-gorskiraj.hr

This family restaurant is set in a pine forest overlooking the beautiful Lokvarsko Lake. It’s known for its quality and delicious home-cooked food. They specialize in game dishes (bear, deer, deer, boar), trout in various ways, and specialties of the Traditional cuisine of Gorski Kotar that change depending on the season. Make sure you reserve a table if you’re coming on the weekends.

Lučice Bistro

17 km (19 min)Lučička Cesta 1a, Delnice+385 51 606 600Monday to Saturdaybistro-lucice.eatbu.hr

Located near the entrance to the Zagreb – Rijeka highway, the Lučice bistro offers simple but tasty local cuisine. The restaurant is known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere and excellent food that reflects the spirit of the Gorski Kotar.

Bijela Ruža

17 km (21 min)Ivana Gorana Kovačića 16, Ravna Gora+385 51 818 444Every daybijela-ruza.hr

A restaurant with a long tradition of Traditional cuisine of Gorski Kotar. It’s right off the main street in Ravna Gora, and it’s got a big parking lot. Bijela Ruža offers dishes prepared from local, seasonal foods. Here, you’ll enjoy peace, quality food, and a beautiful ambiance.

Pizzeria Furman

18 km (22 min)Vrata 46a, Vrata+385 95 454 5454Tuesday to Sundaypizzeria-furman-vrata.eatbu.hr

A popular rustic restaurant specializing in pizzas and local delicacies serves you well-known pizzas with the addition of fresh foods and specialties of Gorski Kotar. The decoration of the interior and the terrace is very interesting and authentic. Look out for the possible weekend traffic.

Vagabundina Koliba

34 km (39 min)Ravno 7, Bribir+385 98 943 2885Tuesday to Sundayvagabundina-koliba

A restaurant and mountain lodge that brings the experience of a real mountain lodge, with main dishes and famous strudel reflecting the authenticity of the Gorski Kotar. If you do not want to continue along the winding road to the sea, you can take a hiking trail to the picturesque Zagradski Vrh.

Konoba Volta

20 km (25 min)Dr. Franje Račkog 8, Fužine+385 51 830 030Every dayvoltafuzine.hr

Konoba Volta is a very nice and authentically decorated restaurant with great cuisine. It offers fresh, seasonal specialties and combines a classic and a more modern approach to cooking. The restaurant is known for its pleasant atmosphere and excellent food that comes from the heart of the Gorski Kotar. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re planning on coming this weekend.

MOUNTAINEERING

IMPORTANT! For the mentioned mountain trails, mountaineering equipment is required (quality footwear – boots, sports jacket, backpack with water and food, charged mobile phone and/or compass and map, etc.) and experience. Parts of the White and Samar Rocks and other mountains are extremely challenging even for experienced climbers. Pay attention to the weather forecast and only go in the company of experienced climbers.

SAMARSKE AND WHITE ROCKS

Samarske and the White rocks are located in the middle of the forested massif of the Velika Kapela. They are known for their impressively tall and sharp limestone formations that reach up to 150 feet [50 m] high amid the forested massif of the Velika Kapela. They are separated from each other by numerous pinnipeds, crevices, and fissures. They’re protected as a strict nature reserve.

White Rocks

Mountaineering approach to the Samarske rocks

The Samarske Rocks can be reached by the dirt road Beg Trail, which starts at Tuk Vojni near Casa Natura. The climb to the summit of Samarske Rocks and Ratkov Shelter is best started at the 13 km of Beg Trail, where there is an extension with signs.

Ratkov Shelter is one of the most interesting mountain shelters in Croatia for its location inside a semi-cave under a steep rock. The route from 13 km of the dirt road to the Ratkov Shelter is described on the pages of the Croatian Mountaineering Federation HERE and can be mastered by novice mountaineers in about 30 to 40 minutes.

A slightly more demanding climb to the summit of the Samarske Rocks (1302 m) takes about 50 minutes from the 13 km. From the summit of the Samara Rocks, there is a fine view of the southern group of the Samarske Rocks, as well as of Bjelolasica and Klek to the north and east. The path to the top is shown HERE. Continuing the climb through the southern and western groups of Samarske Rocks is much more demanding and is recommended only to experienced climbers.

Mountaineer approach to the top of the White Rocks

Although the ascent to the White Rocks is somewhat more demanding than the ascent to the top of the Samarske Rocks, the White Rocks are one of the most attractive hikes in Croatia. The shortest climb to the summit starts from the dirt road Beg Trail and takes about 1 hour. It’s described HERE. Although the climb through the forest is relatively uniform, once you reach the beautiful and modern mountain shelter “Miroslav Hirtz,” you can choose the easier or the more difficult route (!) to the top of the White Rocks (1335 m). From the top, on a clear day, you can enjoy an impressive view from Slovenia’s Snežnik to Velebit, while Bjelolasica, the summit of the Samara rocks, interesting rock formations, and Klek looks within easy reach. The Vihoraški Trail, one of the most difficult mountain routes in Croatia, connects the Bijele and Samarske rocks.

White rocks shelter

Risnjak i Snježnik

Risnjak National Park, with its two prominent peaks, Risnjak and Snježnik, represents an exceptional natural oasis with karst phenomena, while at the lowest points of the Park springs, for many, the most beautiful Croatian river, Kupa. The strong meeting of the coastal and continental climates at the junction of the Alps and the Balkan Mountains shapes the Risnjak flora and fauna, which has fortunately been preserved due to long-term protection. The highest point of the park is the summit of Risnjak (1528 m), with the recognizable Schlosser’s mountain lodge on the meadow below the summit.

The park offers several hiking trails that lead to the highlights, including:

Great Risnjak over Bear gate
Snježnik over Platak
Leska Trail
Kupa well

More information can be obtained on pages NP Risnjak or Planinarenje.hr.

Risnjak mountain lodge

BJELOLASICA

The Bjelolasica is the highest mountain of the Grand Chapel massif. Its distinctive main ridge stretches for about 7 km with the top of Kula (1534 m), which is also the highest point of the Gorski Kotar. From Bjelolasica, you can see the Kvarner Islands, Risnjak, the Julian Alps, and, on a clear day, the entire Velebit ridge.

From CASA NATURA and Tuk, the closest, although demanding, access to Bjelolasica is by the dirt road – Beg trail through Matić plane, which is described in more detail on the pages planinarenje.hr.

KLEK

Klek is a widely recognizable rocky top on the verge of a Velika Kapela, above Ogulin, 1,182 meters high. Klek’s most impressive part is its 200-meter-high vertical rock, which shows a unique shape from different perspectives. Looking from the south, Klek resembles a sleeping giant, with Klečice like legs and a top rock like a head.

From the top, there are fantastic views of Bjelolasica, Risnjak, Ogulin and Lake Sabljaci, and on a clear day, the view reaches the Alps. Klek is historically significant because it became the cradle of Croatian mountaineering. Its rocks were the first school for Croatian mountaineers.

The path to the top is paved with numerous stairs and cables, and you can refresh yourself at the Klek mountain lodge at the base. The easiest approach is by car from Ogulin, which is described on the pages Hrvatskog planinarskog saveza.

Klek rocks

CYCLING

Tuk Vojni, besides being an excellent starting point for mountaineering routes, is a great starting point for cyclists, especially mountain bikes (MTB) due to the numerous dirt roads in the area. For starters, you can choose the circular path that goes around the peaks above the village of Tuk and is called “Mrkopalj oasis of peace” with the direction of Mrkopalj – Begovo Razdolje – Matić plane – Zagmajna – Mrkopalj which you can see HERE. The trail can be accessed by bicycle from CASA NATURA on the uphill dirt road from Tuk to Matić Plane or on the asphalt road to Mrkopalj.

GORSKI KOTAR BIKE

For cyclists with more fitness, the Gorski Kotar bicycle transversal connects all the towns and municipalities of Gorski Kotar, leading cyclists through natural, cultural, and historical sights and tastes of local cuisine. The route passes through forest and local roads with little traffic, ideal for lovers of nature and mountain biking.

Transversal allows you to explore Gorski Kotar by stages, ideal for a multi-day active holiday. It consists of 7 stages ranging from 28 to 43 kilometers in length, covering a total of 260 kilometers, and together with 9 links offers more than 400 kilometers of unique cycling experiences. You can read more about cycling transvestism HERE.

Cycling routes

The new cycling routes of Gorski Kotar include 33 trails – including three roads, nine trekking, and 21 MTB routes for mountain biking. The routes are evenly distributed in length and weight, adapted to cyclists of different fitness levels.

In view of the demanding configuration of the Mountain Range, these routes are designed as a network of interconnected paths, including the Gorski Kotar Cycling Transversal covering the entire region. The trails are mostly between 15 and 20 miles [25 and 30 km] long, with the possibility of switching from one to the other for those cyclists who want to extend their ride further and explore even more terrain. You can read more details HERE.

Cycling trails

SKIING

MRKOPALJ – ĆELIMBAŠA

The Čelimbaša ski resort in Mrkopalj is 3.8 km or 6 minutes by car from the mountain house of CASA NATURA. The ski resort depends on natural snow, so the season only lasts during the period when there is snow cover.

For skiing, the T-bar lift leads to the top, but it should be noted that it is quite demanding and not suitable for children under 12 years old. CHILDREN of all ages will. Therefore, delight in the sledding at Čelimbaša designated sledding area. Beginner snowboarders and skiers may use a separate magic carpet. There’s no permanent equipment rental at the resort, so we recommend that you bring your skis and sleds. If they don’t fit in your car, let us know in time, and we’ll find a solution for your children.

The gastronomic offer is available in the bistro Kućica below the ski resort, which we highly recommend (more information on this page under GASTRONOMY). The hut serves authentic and simple dishes of Gorski Kotar, delicious pizzas, burgers, and hot drinks. The parking lot is secure. Be sure to keep in mind that winter equipment is required for cars.

Ski slope Čelimbaša

PLATAK

Platak is a well-known Croatian family ski resort located above Rijeka, unique in its sea view from the top of the new quad chairlift at an altitude of 1,361 m. Platak is a favorite destination for professional and recreational skiers, snowboarders, families with children, and non-skiers who want to enjoy snow activities, such as climbing the neighboring Snježnik peak, which is easily accessible.

The total length of ski slopes is 5.5 km (2 km of medium-heavy, 3.5 km of light slopes), and you can use the new quad chairlift, then double chairlift, 2 T-bar lifts, and several magic carpets for beginner skiers. The snowmaking system, or ski cannons, covers the slopes in the Radeševa zone, the Pribeniš slope, and the Baby slope, while the Tešanj and Turistička slopes depend on the amounts of natural snow. Accurate and current information can always be checked on the pages of platak.hr.

The Platak is an excellent choice for winter recreation and enjoyment of nature and offers numerous activities during the summer.

Platak ski resort

SLEDDING HILL KUPJAK

The sledding hill Gorski Sjaj on Kupjak is a great place for family winter fun, with a magic carpet that makes it easy to climb the slope. The sledding area includes a cozy cabin with a variety of meals and hot drinks, as well as a lounge area for relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air. More information can be found HERE.

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