Municipality of Ravna Gora: Nature, trails and culture in Gorski kotar

At 1,367 m, Višnjevica is the highest peak in the Municipality of Ravna Gora. The area has marked walking, hiking and cycling trails. The Plodovi gorja educational trail introduces visitors to the vegetation of Gorski kotar; for a different kind of nature experience, the “Velike zvijeri” Visitor Centre offers information about bears, wolves and lynxes.

The Plodovi gorja educational trail is short and climbs gently, making it suitable for the whole family. Information boards explain the vegetation of Gorski kotar, including trees and shrubs as well as mushrooms, medicinal plants and berries. This lets you combine your walk with a look at different plant species, rather than simply covering a distance.

If you are looking for a specific route, consider the Ravna Gora–Javorova Kosa trail, designated by HPS. Its stated walking time is 0.45 hours. A walk to Javorova kosa reaches a mountain hut after about 2 km. Below the hut is the Božji studenac spring, which is associated with a local healing legend about eyesight. A viewpoint 150 m from the summit of Javorova kosa offers a view of the summit of Medvednica.

For longer outings, there are routes of different lengths: MTB route 762, “Following the path of berries,” starts in Ravna Gora and is 33.5 km long. The 66 km road route 761, “Rivers of life,” also starts there. The routes differ in their designated type and length; this information can help you fit suitable activities into your travel plans.

In Kupjak you’ll find Sanjkalište Gorski sjaj, a family-friendly winter facility with a conveyor belt. The facility includes a hut serving food and hot refreshments, as well as a lounge area. This makes it a specific winter attraction in the municipality. If you are looking for a winter activity in addition to trails and nature, you can take this place into account when choosing your destination.

Stara Sušica Castle is a Frankopan castle in a centuries-old coniferous forest in Gorski kotar and has been restored in the romantic style of its time. The castle includes a church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The Frankopan Trail and a visit to the “Velike zvijeri” Centre start nearby: the trail begins in Stara Sušica near the castle and visitor centre. It follows the former Karolina Road towards the oldest part of Ravna Gora and Javorova kosa.

Religious buildings also provide points of interest for visitors interested in cultural history. The Church of Saint Teresa of Ávila in Ravna Gora was originally built in 1777 and renovated in 1907 to plans by architect Hermann Bollé. The Camino Gorski kotar passes the Chapel of Saint Florian, built in 1874, and the Church of Saint Stephen the King, built in 1912, in Stari Laz. Kupjak is also home to the Church of Saint Vitus, while Šije has the Chapel of Saint Roch.

The cultural calendar includes the “Iz bakine škrinjice” festival of antiques, which promotes and preserves cultural and historical heritage, and the chamber music festival as part of Kulturna jesen. “Dani plodova gorja” is considered an educational food and wine event. If you are also interested in culture and regional events alongside nature and winter experiences, these different themes offer further ideas for planning your trip.

To compare other municipal destinations, you can also explore the Municipality of Novi Vinodolski, the Municipality of Vrbovsko and the Municipality of Kostrena. For orientation among the locality pages, you can also find Zalesina.

Which marked trails are there?

The area has marked walking, hiking and cycling trails. These include the Plodovi gorja educational trail and the Ravna Gora–Javorova Kosa trail, designated by HPS.

What can you learn at the “Velike zvijeri” Visitor Centre?

Visitors can learn about bears, wolves and lynxes there. A multimedia exhibition creates the impression of being in a forest environment.

Which winter facility is there in Kupjak?

Sanjkalište Gorski sjaj is a family-friendly winter facility with a conveyor belt. It includes a hut serving food and hot refreshments, as well as a lounge area.

Which historic buildings are located along routes?

The Camino Gorski kotar passes the Chapel of Saint Florian, dating from 1874, and the Church of Saint Stephen the King, dating from 1912, in Stari Laz. The Frankopan Trail follows the former Karolina Road.

For the broader travel overview: Kvarner Bay.