Camino Gorski kotar
Camino de Santiago
is a unique walking experience which has enriched the lives of millions through centuries, and its popularity is steadily increasing.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims would walk from their homes to Santiago de Compostela and back. Throughout centuries, many similar routes have been created in various countries.
Camino Gorski kotar
The Gorski Kotar Camino passes through the greenest part of Croatia, and since it is located in a mountainous area, it is one of the most demanding routes. It is best known for its beautiful forests and natural pathways passing by countless cultural heritage sites. It starts in Vrbovsko and ends at Trsat in Rijeka, covering all major cultural and religious sites in the area, such as numerous religious buildings in the Brod Moravice municipality, the Skradski Vrh lookout point and the chapel dedicated to the Assumption of Mary in Skrad, the Church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows in Mrkopalj, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Athos in Čabar, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Ličko Polje, etc.
Brod Moravice
The Brod Moravice municipality is situated in the western portion of Gorski Kotar, at an elevation of 560 m. If you would like to experience the genuine local atmosphere and the idyllic rural setting, or learn more about the history of Gorski Kotar – Brod Moravice is the place for you. This little settlement is located in the vicinity of the railroad and the Zagreb – Rijeka highway, and it offers wonderful views of the Kupa river valley.
The area is a true ethnographic hub, with countless historical and religious buildings. The Turanj Zrinski Tower is its most significant historical site, and it was commissioned by Count Zrinski as a defensive tower against the Ottoman invasion in late 16th century. The oldest preserved home in Gorski Kotar – the Delač house, built in 1644 – is also located in Brod Moravice, as are the Ožanić house (1826) and the Ferderber house (1766). There are numerous old religious buildings in the area, including a total of 13 chapels, representing a significant and rich cultural and historical heritage. The Church of St Nicholas was constructed back in 1434, and renovated four centuries later. Another notable monument is the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Moravička Sela, first mentioned in 1633. The Church of Moravia St Peter and St Paul in Podstene was reconstructed in 1837. It should be noted that, alongside the Gerovo parish, the Brod Moravice parish is the oldest parish in Gorski Kotar.
Čabar
The area of the town of Čabar is one of the most beautiful green areas in Croatia. Forests cover almost 80 percent of the area, so the towns and villages of Čabar, Gerovo, Tršće, Prezid, Plešće, and others, breathe the cleanest air around, as does anyone who decides to visit. The Čabar area is known for the breathtaking Čabranka river spring, gorgeous lookout points, and mountain meadows. Čabar also has a rich cultural heritage, from the Zrinski castle to the valuable local history collections in Prezid and Čabar, as well as a gallery of paintings by Vilim Svečnjak. The Čabar area is popular among pilgrims visiting Sveta Gora, and another site well-worth visiting is the Church of St Anthony of Padua.
It should be noted that the first signs of civilisation in this area date back to the period of Iapodes, an Illyrian-Celtic tribe, who existed from the 9th to the 4th century BC.
Delnice
The area surrounding the town of Delnice forms the so-called Delnice Trefoil: Delnice, the Crni Lug-Risnjak area, and the Kupa river valley. Delnice is the central and largest settlement in Gorski Kotar, situated at an elevation of 700 metres, surrounded by the peaks of Drgomalj, Petehovac and Japlenški Vrh. Delnice is the highest town in Croatia, and it is particularly suitable for altitude training of athletes. Crni Lug is an idyllic Gorski Kotar settlement, snowy in winter, a flowery starting point for the Risnjak National Park in spring. The Kupa river valley (also known as the Brod valley) is the perfect place for water sports such as canoeing, kayaking or rafting, as well as recreational fishing, fly fishing, swimming and enjoying the unforgettable pure mountain water. The largest settlement situated upstream of the Kupa river is Brod na Kupi, dominated by the picturesque Zrinski family castle from the 17th century, home to the permanent exhibit titled “Wilderness with Views of the Sea” and The Routes of the Frankopans interpretation centre. The Church of St Mary Magdalene, built in 1670, is located behind the castle.
Fužine
The Fužine municipality, a famous destination in the mountainous area of Croatia with a long tradition of tourism, is located only 30 kilometres from the sea. This beautiful part of Gorski Kotar is home to three gorgeous lakes – Bajer, Lepenice and Potkoš – which is why the Fužine municipality has been nicknamed “the mountainous riviera”. In summer, the lakes offer some much-needed refreshment and you can go for a ride in a boat, canoe or tourist boat, or enjoy some fishing. The cycling and hiking trails, walkways, the Preradović lookout point, the Vrelo cave, the ethnographic collection and other content curated to the visitors offer numerous options for an active vacation. The largest church in Gorski Kotar, the Church of St Anthony, is located in the Fužine municipality, while the oldest church in the area is the Church of St George in Lič, built in 1662. The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in located in Vrata, and Benkovac is home to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Ličko Polje is a sanctuary for numerous believers and pilgrims, especially on 5 August, when the biggest celebrations are held. This tradition contributes to the religious and cultural life in the area, making this Shrine an important site for religious gatherings.
Lokve
The Lokve municipality (situated at an elevation of 723 metres) is known for its gorgeous clear blue Lokvarsko lake, and anyone who has yet to experience the beauty of the Dinarides underworld should definitely pay a visit to the Lokvarka cave, which is sure to delight you with its rich underground life.
Lokve is best known for frogs and the famous Žabarska noć (Frog Night), a unique celebration including a competition in frog jumps.
The Church of St Catherine in Lokve, built in 1820, is definitely worth a visit. Visitors can also see the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1836. The Chapel is located not far from the entrance to the Lokvarka cave, and well-worth a visit.
Mrkopalj
In the very heart of Gorski Kotar, you will find Mrkopalj – the birthplace of Croatian skiing, a municipality which includes the towns and villages of Mrkopalj (at an elevation of 824 metres), Tuk, Sunger, Brestova Draga and Begovo Razdolje, the highest settlement in Croatia (at an elevation of 1078 metres). Surrounded by mountains, and rightfully nicknamed an oasis of peace, it offers its guests enjoyment year-round – walking, hiking, cycling, rollerblading in the summer, and Alpine or Nordic skiing, and sledding at the most popular hill, the Čelimbaša in Begovo Razdolje, or at Zagmajna or Vrbovska Poljana, in the winter. Hikers and recreational athletes can enjoy the demarcated trails surrounded by pristine and preserved nature, and they can even climb the highest peak in Gorski Kotar, Bjelolasica (1534 metres) or visit the strict nature reserve Bijele Stijene (1335 metres) and Samarske Stijene (1314 metres), which are abundant in flora and fauna, and offer amazing views of the sea and the Alps. Some of the cultural sites which should not be missed are the Fajeri (remnants of the old Karolina road from 1732), the Matić Poljana memorial park, the remains of an Old Croatian church from the 12th/13th century – Fortica, the exhibition of the religious collection at the Church of St Philip, or the Church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, visited by pilgrims every year on the third Sunday in September, to pray for absolution.
Ravna Gora
The link between the plain and the mountains is evident in the very name of Ravna Gora (which translates to flat mountain). Ravna Gora has an average elevation of 800 metres and it is located only 45 km from Rijeka and Karlovac. As it is surrounded by hills and mountains, it is the perfect spot to escape the summer heat. The Ravna Gora municipality extends mostly along the historical Karolina road, and it also includes the towns and villages of: Stari Laz, Stara Sušica, Kupjak, Leskova Draga and Šije.
When in the Ravna Gora area, you should definitely visit the Javorova kosa excursion site, with a mountain hut where, as legend has it, the medicinal well called Božji studenac (God’s Well) is located. Active visitors can enjoy the countless marked paths, as well as hiking and cycling trails. When it comes to cultural sites, you will find the Church of St Teresa of Ávila, initially built in 1777 and reconstructed in 1907 according to the design by architect Hermann Bollé.
Another monumental building is the Stara Sušica Castle with its own Church of St Anthony of Padua, park and walkway in Stara Sušica. The castle was built by the Frankopan family in the Middle Ages, and they used it as a summer home.
Next to the Stara Sušica Castle, you will find the Large Carnivores Visitor Centre, telling the story of the inhabitants of the Gorski Kotar forests – the three beasts: the bear, the wolf, and the lynx.
In Kupjak, you will find the Church of St Vitus, and in Šije the Chapel of St Roch.
As you walk through the Ravna Gora portion of the Gorski Kotar Camino, you will pass by the Chapel of St Florian, built in 1874, and in Stari Laz you will find the Church of King Saint Stephen from 1912.
Skrad
Skrad (at an elevation of 700 m) is a well-known mountainous spot in the very heart of Gorski Kotar, popular among tourists. It is situated at a very favourable position, as it cascades down the slopes of Skradski Vrh, surrounded by evergreen and deciduous forests. It rises high above the Vražji Prolaz (Devil’s Passage) canyon, where you will also encounter the beautiful Zeleni Vir waterfall. The protected natural site of the Vražji Prolaz canyon is only 2 metres wide in certain spots, and a mountain stream flows below the installed walkways.
The Chapel of the Assumption of Mary is located at Skradski Vrh, and a holy mass is held here every 15 August, the day of the celebration of the Assumption of Mary. When you visit Skradski Vrh, make sure you don’t miss the breathtaking lookout points Perić and Kavranova Stijena. The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Skrad and the chapels of St Isidore in Divjake, Holy Trinity in Bukov Vrh, and Holy Cross in Planina are also well-worth a visit.
Vrbovsko
The Vrbovsko municipality is situated in the eastern part of Gorski Kotar, at an elevation of 250 m to 1,300 m and it encompasses about 60 towns and villages, including the largest and best-known – Vrbovsko, Moravice, Lukovdol, Severin na Kupi and Gomirje. It is known for numerous cultural and natural sites, and one of the most popular ones is the Kamačnik, a protected natural landscape. The Frankopan Castle in Severin, Lukovdol – the birth place of Croatian poet Ivan Goran Kovačić, the Plemenitaš art workshop, and the Orthodox monastery of Gomirje are just some of the examples of the countless cultural sites in the area. All of the settlements in the Vrbovsko municipality started constructing their own religious buildings back in the 17th century, and you should definitely visit the single-nave pilgrimage church of St Francis Xavier in Rtić by Lukovdol, as well as the Church of St John of Nepomuk.
