Only 45 minutes drive from the sea is the Gorski Kotar mountain region of north coast Croatia. It's a hiker's paradise and a great escape when you need a break from the heat and the crowds on the beach in the summer. The area is very popular for alpine and cross-country skiing in the winter as well. Gorski Kotar is growing more popular every year during all seasons. So, take your pick with comfortable temperatures in the summer, beautiful foliage in the fall, a winter wonderland or colorful blooms in the spring.
Risnjak National Park in Crni Lug (meaning Black Forest) is one of the main attractions and is located between the Alps and Balkan mountains. Hike the Razloge - Source of the Kupa River Trail, the Krašićevica canyon, the Vilje - Risnjak Trail, the Horvat Trail, the Sušica canyon, the Leska Educational Trail, and the Risnjak and Snježnik mountain peaks.
Other hiking trails include:
Donji Ložac - Zeleni Vir Donji Ložac - Zeleni Vir in Donji Ložac
Zeleni Vir and Vražji Prolaz Trail in Skrad - Zeleni Vir means “green source” and Vražji Prolaz means the “devil’s passage” in English.
Dobra River Source Trail in Skrad
Fruits of the Mountains Educational Trail in Ravna Gora
Delnice - Petehovac Trail in Delnice
Platak - Snježnik Trail in Platak
Predator Trail and Botanical Trail or Tršće Miners Trail in Tršće
Little by Little Trail in Mrkopalj - Along this trail pass by Matić Poljana, a memorial park made of 26 stone monuments with each one representing a fallen partisan soldiers that froze to death here as they were marching through bad weather at night during WWII.
Čelimbaša Trail in Mrkopalj
For another great hiking option READ: Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Other Activities:
Gorski Park Kupjak in Kupjak offers hiking trails, cycling trails, an adrenaline park with paintball, archery, guns, zipline and a high ropes course. In the winter they also offer sledding.
Gorski Tok in Brod na Kupi is a sports and recreation tour company located by the Kupa River. They offer river rafting, kayaking and canoeing, and in the winter they also offer cross country skiing, Nordic skiing and Nordic walking.
Velike Zvijeri Centar in Stara Sušica is a museum and visitor center means “large carnivores” in English and focuses on the education and preservation of the three main carnivores of the Gorski Kotar region; the bear, wolf and lynx.
Castles:
This Frankopan castle with a church dedicated to St. Mary was demolished by the Ottomans and made into an Orthodox Monastery. The castle’s tower was turned into a bell tower and the church was expanded.
Severin Castle in Severin na Kupi
This is the only highland castle that changed ownership from the Frankopans to the Zrinskis and then eventually back to the Frankopans. A two-story building with towers on the corners, an interior courtyard, arcade columns, the Chapel of St. Florian and a garden.
This Frankopan castle sits on a cliff in the forest and not that long ago served as a retirement home and a restaurant but today sits abandoned and in need of repair and preservation.
Stara Sušica Castle in Stara Sušica
This castle was built by the Frankopans and has had additions made over the years. Most recently it was restored in Romanesque style and an additional tower and spire were added.
Zrinski Castle in Brod na Kupi
This castle was originally made of wood and was built by the Frankopans. Later, the Zrinskis used the foundation of the castle and rebuilt it out of stone. A large, two-story structure with a pyramid shaped roof, several defensive elements, St. Mary Magdalene Church and three secret underground passages.
Zrinski Castle in Čabar
This castle was originally built by the Frankopans and was later acquired by the Zrinskis. A four building complex with a central courtyard, two towers, defensive walls, and a secret tunnel. Behind the castle hike the Čabranka River Source Trail.
For more castles in north coast Croatia READ: Castles in North Coast Croatia
Mountain Towns:
This quaint mountain town is one of the most popular in the Gorski Kotar region. Visit Lake Bajer and hike the Preradović Trail, Lake Lepenica, Lake Potkoš, Vrelo Cave the City of Roswell, a set built for the German movie production, “Winnetou.” There is also a nearby tubing track and Vrata Paint Ball and Adrenaline Park. On New Year’s Day, the town is known for its festival with day time fireworks at noon.
This little mountain town is known for its large lake and dam, named after the town. Other sites to see are Lokve Cave and hike the Mountain Paradise Trail and the Tourist Trail, Panoramic Trail and the Lookout Point Trail. There is also nearby Mrzla Vodica Lake and Park Šuma Golubinjak with a trail that leads you to the tree named “Queen of the Forest,” a hole in the rock called, “Hell’s Gate” and Ledena and Golubinja caves.
*Lokve holds a special place in my heart because this is where my husband first grew up and where his mother’s side of the family is all from.
Hotels:
This 4 star hotel is located in the center of town and offers a restaurant, tavern, wine cellar and atrium used for special events.
This mountain house has views of the town of Delnice and rustic ambiance with a restaurant serving regional food from game dishes to forest fruits. In the summer, offering hiking and mountain biking, and in the winter, skiing, snowboarding and sledding. From here you can hike the Petehovac – Jagodina Stijena Trail, Petehovac - Mali Petehovac Trail and Petehovac – Črmažov Vrh Trail.
Great Mountain B&B Platak in Platak
This 3 star hotel is located next to Platak Ski Resort and has rustic ambiance with a restaurant serving authentic Croatian cuisine from the region. In the summer, offering hiking, mountain biking, cable car rides, disc golf course and more, and in the winter, skiing, snowboarding and sledding.
Hotel Bitoraj Fužine in Fužine
This 4 star hotel is located in the center of town and offers a restaurant and spa with a Finnish sauna and Turkish bath.
Outdoor enthusiasts can all agree the Gorski Kotar mountains of north coast Croatia provides ample opportunities. Such a short drive away from the Adriatic Sea and you are transported to a completely different atmosphere full of magical forests, rivers, caves, lakes and more. These mountains are wise and I highly recommend you take their advice.
Many have been to the southern coastal part of the country, like Dubrovnik to take a "Game of Thrones Tour", visited the city of Split as one of their cruise itinerary ports, or stopped off at one of the islands, like Korčula, Hvar and Brač, but most have not seen the north coast regions of Croatia and we highly recommend you do.
Whether it's your first time traveling to the country or just the next time you're here wanting a more authentic, less touristy experience. Europeans have been vacationing at this hidden gem for decades but others seem to completely overlook it. Come see for yourself what makes the north coast so special.
North Coast Croatia Travel Agency specializes in travel to Croatia and surrounding European countries. Providing consultations, custom itineraries, pre-designed theme itineraries, summer beach rentals and a travel blog. Booking flights, accommodations, cruises, tours, rental cars, transfers, bus/train/ferry tickets, travel insurance and more!
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