Guidebook for Sapnik 1, 1336 Kostel, Slovenia
Parks & Nature
While staying in Doluš your must-visit is going to be Zeleni vir and Vrajži prolaz. It is a very interesting geomorphological carst phenomenon, situated in less than 30 minutes driving distance from Doluš. You’ll see the power of water, amazing stone shapes, a cave and lush vegetation in a narrow canyon. Inside your accommodation you’ll find some informative leaflets about it too.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vražji Prolaz I Zeleni Vir
While staying in Doluš your must-visit is going to be Zeleni vir and Vrajži prolaz. It is a very interesting geomorphological carst phenomenon, situated in less than 30 minutes driving distance from Doluš. You’ll see the power of water, amazing stone shapes, a cave and lush vegetation in a narrow canyon. Inside your accommodation you’ll find some informative leaflets about it too.
Apart from conquering Risnjak top, it is nice to visit a National Park Risnjak base as well. National Park offices are located in a natural ambient beside small village of Bela Vodica (first you have to pass the Crni Lug village). There you can take a nice long walk along the arranged bature educational path Leska that I found very attractive. Leska is a round walking trail. I is easy and plane path that will lead you through beautiful forest and meadows. It is about 4 kilometers long and full of interesting panoramas, details, plants and wildlife. Interesting information and explanations are available on the educative panels. The walking trail is suitable even for small children or elderly people.
Leska
Apart from conquering Risnjak top, it is nice to visit a National Park Risnjak base as well. National Park offices are located in a natural ambient beside small village of Bela Vodica (first you have to pass the Crni Lug village). There you can take a nice long walk along the arranged bature educational path Leska that I found very attractive. Leska is a round walking trail. I is easy and plane path that will lead you through beautiful forest and meadows. It is about 4 kilometers long and full of interesting panoramas, details, plants and wildlife. Interesting information and explanations are available on the educative panels. The walking trail is suitable even for small children or elderly people.
A view from the Risnjak mountain top (1528m) is very beautifull. If you love hiking, this could be a very interesting trip for you. In my opinion, the best (and not so demanding) access to Risnjak is from Gornje Jelenje. From Doluš it takes about 40 minutes (by highway from Delnice) to Gornje Jelenje. There you’ll see road markings for National Park. You can go by car quite far by this way, so you will have to real hike only about one hour to the Risnjak peak.
262 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Risnjak National Park
48 Bela vodicaA view from the Risnjak mountain top (1528m) is very beautifull. If you love hiking, this could be a very interesting trip for you. In my opinion, the best (and not so demanding) access to Risnjak is from Gornje Jelenje. From Doluš it takes about 40 minutes (by highway from Delnice) to Gornje Jelenje. There you’ll see road markings for National Park. You can go by car quite far by this way, so you will have to real hike only about one hour to the Risnjak peak.
You can have a very pleasant walk along the river canyon if you go by the country road that follows the Kupa river downstream. You can follow this road about 3 or 4 kilometers from your accommodation. If walking this way you’ll notice an artificial island made in the river. This ”wall” was made as a part of a project that was supposed to make Kupa navigable for small merchant ships. The Kupa channel project was abandoned in 1802. but the remainings of this artificial island are still present.
Or you can choose an easy walk through the forest, following small forest path beside the Kupa river upstream. This walking trail will take you by the Reštanti site where Kupa channel builders were situated in early 1800s. Remains of their buildings are not visible any more here, but your walk is going to be interesting anyway. You’ll have an easy and pleasant walking trip through the forest with the river beside you.
Doluš
You can have a very pleasant walk along the river canyon if you go by the country road that follows the Kupa river downstream. You can follow this road about 3 or 4 kilometers from your accommodation. If walking this way you’ll notice an artificial island made in the river. This ”wall” was made as a part of a project that was supposed to make Kupa navigable for small merchant ships. The Kupa channel project was abandoned in 1802. but the remainings of this artificial island are still present.
Or you can choose an easy walk through the forest, following small forest path beside the Kupa river upstream. This walking trail will take you by the Reštanti site where Kupa channel builders were situated in early 1800s. Remains of their buildings are not visible any more here, but your walk is going to be interesting anyway. You’ll have an easy and pleasant walking trip through the forest with the river beside you.
One of favorite walking trips while spending vacation in Doluš leads us towards neigbouring villages. About 30 minute away by feet from your Doluš accommodation there are Podstene and Kocijani villages, both almost abadoned small settlements and interesting destination for your walking trip nearby. Kocijani and Podstene are situated on the plateau up above the Kupa canyon, and underneath the rocky Špičasti vrh peak (= “Spiky peak” in Croatian). Your walking route runs about 2 kilometers uphill from the house to the church in Kocijani. That church is a very old one. It is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. There’s history in your walk as well, from the ruined old houses to the ancient Kocijani cemetary and this particular old church. Keep an eye out for artworks in the church. It is interesting to walk in and to see archaic church inventory, nowadays almost forgotten. Church keys are held by nearest neighbour. The edifice is open on Sundays for mass at 8:30AM. As the Kocijani church is a very peaceful place, the bat family found their secret hideaway in it. Those bats disturbed by people and bells on Sundays, often show themselves among the few of inhabitants attending the mass (this is an very interesting situation). Not far the Saints Peter and Paul’s Church there is the Chapel of the Holly Blood and the village of Podstene. Croatian writer and seafarer Joža Horvat (1915-2012) had his hideaway – a small vacation-house in Podstene as well. From Podstene there is a hiking trail that can lead you to the peak of Špićasti Vrh. Špićasti is about 700 meters high peak, with a nice viewpoint. You’d have about 1 hour easy hiking from Podstene to the Špićasti Vrh top.
Podstene
One of favorite walking trips while spending vacation in Doluš leads us towards neigbouring villages. About 30 minute away by feet from your Doluš accommodation there are Podstene and Kocijani villages, both almost abadoned small settlements and interesting destination for your walking trip nearby. Kocijani and Podstene are situated on the plateau up above the Kupa canyon, and underneath the rocky Špičasti vrh peak (= “Spiky peak” in Croatian). Your walking route runs about 2 kilometers uphill from the house to the church in Kocijani. That church is a very old one. It is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. There’s history in your walk as well, from the ruined old houses to the ancient Kocijani cemetary and this particular old church. Keep an eye out for artworks in the church. It is interesting to walk in and to see archaic church inventory, nowadays almost forgotten. Church keys are held by nearest neighbour. The edifice is open on Sundays for mass at 8:30AM. As the Kocijani church is a very peaceful place, the bat family found their secret hideaway in it. Those bats disturbed by people and bells on Sundays, often show themselves among the few of inhabitants attending the mass (this is an very interesting situation). Not far the Saints Peter and Paul’s Church there is the Chapel of the Holly Blood and the village of Podstene. Croatian writer and seafarer Joža Horvat (1915-2012) had his hideaway – a small vacation-house in Podstene as well. From Podstene there is a hiking trail that can lead you to the peak of Špićasti Vrh. Špićasti is about 700 meters high peak, with a nice viewpoint. You’d have about 1 hour easy hiking from Podstene to the Špićasti Vrh top.
If you like viewpoints as much as I do, aside of Špićasti vrh, you can choose a hiking trip to Medveja stena viewpoint or Kavranca viewpoint. At all those tree peaks you can experience a spectacular panorama overlooking the Kupa river valley. Medveja stena is somehow my favorite, as from there you can see your house and the Doluš village. In spring 2016 we have marked the way from our backyard to the Medveja and Kavranova stena tops. So now you can start an interesting hiking trip right behind your accommodation by following white-red markings on the trees. From the house to the both viewpoints on the top you’ll need about two hours of walk. The way is lightly to moderate steep. You need to take with you a supply of water for drink, appropriate clothing and a solid pair of hiking shoes. In some particular time of the year there is a possibility for you to find even some edible mushrooms on that trail (Boletus reticulatus or Macrolepiota procera specimen, if you like mushrooms you’ll know them well).
Nove Hiže
If you like viewpoints as much as I do, aside of Špićasti vrh, you can choose a hiking trip to Medveja stena viewpoint or Kavranca viewpoint. At all those tree peaks you can experience a spectacular panorama overlooking the Kupa river valley. Medveja stena is somehow my favorite, as from there you can see your house and the Doluš village. In spring 2016 we have marked the way from our backyard to the Medveja and Kavranova stena tops. So now you can start an interesting hiking trip right behind your accommodation by following white-red markings on the trees. From the house to the both viewpoints on the top you’ll need about two hours of walk. The way is lightly to moderate steep. You need to take with you a supply of water for drink, appropriate clothing and a solid pair of hiking shoes. In some particular time of the year there is a possibility for you to find even some edible mushrooms on that trail (Boletus reticulatus or Macrolepiota procera specimen, if you like mushrooms you’ll know them well).
When staying in Doluš, don't miss visiting Lokve. The must see is Lokvarka cave. You can enter the cave in a specified time, so it is the best to check the entrance schedule on the web. The cave location shown on their official web site map is inaccurate now, but you will see the road marks in the willage of Lokve.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lokvarka Cave
When staying in Doluš, don't miss visiting Lokve. The must see is Lokvarka cave. You can enter the cave in a specified time, so it is the best to check the entrance schedule on the web. The cave location shown on their official web site map is inaccurate now, but you will see the road marks in the willage of Lokve.
As you already spent your vacation in Doluš in the house overlooking the Kupa river, it could be challenging for you to familiarize even with the source of this beautiful river. The Kupa river source is found deep below a pale turquoise lake, hidden by the lush coniferous forest of the Risnjak National Park. This small, extraordinary beautiful lake is a secrete spot from where the Kupa river begins its journey.
When visiting the Kupa river source from Doluš, in Delnice you’ll have to turn right towards Rijeka. After passing the city of Delnice, in few kilometres you will turn on right, towards Crni Lug. In Crni lug you will note the road directions pointing the Čabar and Gerovo direction. On your way towards Čabar you will pass Malo Selo and few kilometres after that you turn on right to the side road towards Razloge. This side road is paved, but narrow, windy and quite damaged. So you will drive slowly through the forest to the village of Razloge. The village is situated on the beautiful plateau. Traditionally this particular location was a place where travellers used to take pause and rest their horses on their journey from Rijeka to Čabar. Word “razloge” in Croatian language means “to unload the cargo”.
From Razloge (554 m) there is about 30 minutes more by feet downhill to the Kupa river source (313 m). Interesting windy hiking trail will lead you through the forest to the river source. The trail is steep and narrow, but well maintained and equipped with stairs and handrails. However, solid footwear is required. When you reach the Kupa river source there is another walking trail that runs through the forest, following the Kupa and even crossing the river over the wooden bridge.
Kupa river source is an exceptional, magical corner of the Earth. It is so hidden that it is very possible that this site was not much changed for centuries.
Razloge
As you already spent your vacation in Doluš in the house overlooking the Kupa river, it could be challenging for you to familiarize even with the source of this beautiful river. The Kupa river source is found deep below a pale turquoise lake, hidden by the lush coniferous forest of the Risnjak National Park. This small, extraordinary beautiful lake is a secrete spot from where the Kupa river begins its journey.
When visiting the Kupa river source from Doluš, in Delnice you’ll have to turn right towards Rijeka. After passing the city of Delnice, in few kilometres you will turn on right, towards Crni Lug. In Crni lug you will note the road directions pointing the Čabar and Gerovo direction. On your way towards Čabar you will pass Malo Selo and few kilometres after that you turn on right to the side road towards Razloge. This side road is paved, but narrow, windy and quite damaged. So you will drive slowly through the forest to the village of Razloge. The village is situated on the beautiful plateau. Traditionally this particular location was a place where travellers used to take pause and rest their horses on their journey from Rijeka to Čabar. Word “razloge” in Croatian language means “to unload the cargo”.
From Razloge (554 m) there is about 30 minutes more by feet downhill to the Kupa river source (313 m). Interesting windy hiking trail will lead you through the forest to the river source. The trail is steep and narrow, but well maintained and equipped with stairs and handrails. However, solid footwear is required. When you reach the Kupa river source there is another walking trail that runs through the forest, following the Kupa and even crossing the river over the wooden bridge.
Kupa river source is an exceptional, magical corner of the Earth. It is so hidden that it is very possible that this site was not much changed for centuries.
Kamačnik protected area of nature is a very interesting geomorphological carst phenomenon, situated in 40 minutes driving distance from Doluš. You can have a very pleasant walk along the creek canyon by a mild, well maintained and interesting educational trail. You’ll see the power of water, amazing stone shapes, a traditional sawmill ruins, lush vegetation and a narrow creek canyon of the. Information are available on educational boards that are erected along the walking route. On the Kamačnik entrance, there is caffe and a restaurant. Don't miss pancakes or strudel cake with blueberries.
Kamačnik can be visited when arriving or departing from Doluš towards Zagreb direction by highway.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kamačnik
8 Željeznička ul.Kamačnik protected area of nature is a very interesting geomorphological carst phenomenon, situated in 40 minutes driving distance from Doluš. You can have a very pleasant walk along the creek canyon by a mild, well maintained and interesting educational trail. You’ll see the power of water, amazing stone shapes, a traditional sawmill ruins, lush vegetation and a narrow creek canyon of the. Information are available on educational boards that are erected along the walking route. On the Kamačnik entrance, there is caffe and a restaurant. Don't miss pancakes or strudel cake with blueberries.
Kamačnik can be visited when arriving or departing from Doluš towards Zagreb direction by highway.
Petehovac protected area of nature is a bit outside Delnice, so you’ll have to drive about 5 to 10 minutes following road marks behind INA gas station. Petehovac offers a beautiful panorama over Delnice and a spectacularly fresh and clean air even during hot summer days. Petehovac has a pleasant (and affordable) restaurant with a great terrace. Owner’s dog Max is loveable, kids found him very attractive each and every time we’ve visited Petehovac. Tasty and affordable meals are also available.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Petehovac, Mountaineering Center
1a PolanePetehovac protected area of nature is a bit outside Delnice, so you’ll have to drive about 5 to 10 minutes following road marks behind INA gas station. Petehovac offers a beautiful panorama over Delnice and a spectacularly fresh and clean air even during hot summer days. Petehovac has a pleasant (and affordable) restaurant with a great terrace. Owner’s dog Max is loveable, kids found him very attractive each and every time we’ve visited Petehovac. Tasty and affordable meals are also available.
Japlenški vrh protected area of nature is a bit outside Delnice, so you’ll have to walk about 5 minutes uphill the stairs from the Delnice city park. Japlenški Vrh offers a beautiful panorama over Delnice and a spectacularly fresh and clean air even during hot summer days. Japlenški vrh has a pleasant "Lovački" restaurant with a great terrace.
Japlenški vrh
Japlenški vrhJaplenški vrh protected area of nature is a bit outside Delnice, so you’ll have to walk about 5 minutes uphill the stairs from the Delnice city park. Japlenški Vrh offers a beautiful panorama over Delnice and a spectacularly fresh and clean air even during hot summer days. Japlenški vrh has a pleasant "Lovački" restaurant with a great terrace.
Essentials
During your stay in Doluš it is very possible that you’ll need to buy your basic supply in some of Delnice supermarkets. You can use this opportunity to visit few interesting points there, as well. First of all, try to visit Delnice on Thursday morning as there is a market day on Thursday. The market day is not really something much, but (despite the crowd) it is always interesting to see flowers, vegetables, wooden products… all spreaded in the central part of the town.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Delnice
During your stay in Doluš it is very possible that you’ll need to buy your basic supply in some of Delnice supermarkets. You can use this opportunity to visit few interesting points there, as well. First of all, try to visit Delnice on Thursday morning as there is a market day on Thursday. The market day is not really something much, but (despite the crowd) it is always interesting to see flowers, vegetables, wooden products… all spreaded in the central part of the town.
Food Scene
Here you can see carefully maintained traditional fish-farm, and even buy some fresh fish ready for your barbecue. Throuts are going to be caught and cleaned while you look around that interesting place. The Mala Lešnica village is located on the main road (D203) between Delnice and Brod na Kupi. Placed just near the river Kupica the village of Lešnica in the past was well known for its smithy workshop. The old name of the village was Homer, originated from a German word “hammer”. Today village is interesting for passengers and local people for its small fish-farm.
Mala Lešnica
Here you can see carefully maintained traditional fish-farm, and even buy some fresh fish ready for your barbecue. Throuts are going to be caught and cleaned while you look around that interesting place. The Mala Lešnica village is located on the main road (D203) between Delnice and Brod na Kupi. Placed just near the river Kupica the village of Lešnica in the past was well known for its smithy workshop. The old name of the village was Homer, originated from a German word “hammer”. Today village is interesting for passengers and local people for its small fish-farm.
While your stay in Doluš you can have a nice meal at the Mance restaurant/hotel in Brod na Kupi. The food at Mance’s place is authentic local and very well prepared. If restaurant food is not an option for you: just between the museum and the church there is a small noteless bakery. The bakery is held by Mrs. Marija who makes bread there for decades. Don’t miss her “buhtla” bagels with marmalade or chocolate, it is something simply priceless. She bakes it every working day about 5:30 PM.
Hotel Mance d.o.o.
While your stay in Doluš you can have a nice meal at the Mance restaurant/hotel in Brod na Kupi. The food at Mance’s place is authentic local and very well prepared. If restaurant food is not an option for you: just between the museum and the church there is a small noteless bakery. The bakery is held by Mrs. Marija who makes bread there for decades. Don’t miss her “buhtla” bagels with marmalade or chocolate, it is something simply priceless. She bakes it every working day about 5:30 PM.
Nearby the village of Lokve there is another attraction: Lokvarsko Jezero Lake. During hot summer days Lokvarsko is nice for swimming and refreshment. By the Lokvarsko Lake there is a very nice restaurant called “Jezero”. There you can taste some local cuisine (the cooker even got some international reward for his work) in a nice domestic atmosphere (and by affordable prices).
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lokve, Croatia
Nearby the village of Lokve there is another attraction: Lokvarsko Jezero Lake. During hot summer days Lokvarsko is nice for swimming and refreshment. By the Lokvarsko Lake there is a very nice restaurant called “Jezero”. There you can taste some local cuisine (the cooker even got some international reward for his work) in a nice domestic atmosphere (and by affordable prices).
Arts & Culture
The first bigger settlement closest to your accommodation is Brod na Kupi, about 5 kilometers far from Doluš. In Brod na Kupi just near the border crossing, there is a 17th-century fortress /castle, now renovated and adapted to a museum. The mace weapon outstanding at the rooftop of that building, hardly shackled door, gun holes on the fortress walls, even the tunnel dug up beneath the castle, testify about the past wars in this area and defending function of that building. But the fortress also had its residential function for members of the Zrinski noble family. The architecture of the building is simple, but solid and tight.
Restored and renewed Zrinski castle in the city of Brod na Kupi offers to the interested visitors a new one, remarkable content: permanent exhibition and items representing forestry, hunting and fishing of the Gorski kotar region. The permanent exhibition at the Brod na Kupi museum occupies 786 square meters, and is divided into five floors. The visitors can learn about the tradition, the history of Gorski kotar and the role that aristocratic Zrinski family had in it.
Brod na Kupi is a small settlement that appeared in 15th-century on the best suitable position for crossing the river. The name “Brod” (in Croatian means “the boat”) denotes unpowered ferries that crossed the river on a line, transporting merchandise and passengers.
In Brod na Kupi just between the museum and the church there is a small noteless bakery. The bakery is held by Mrs. Marija who makes bread there for decades. Don’t miss her “buhtla” bagels with marmalade or chocolate, it is something simply priceless when fresh and warm. She bakes it every working day about 5:30 PM.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Brod na Kupi
The first bigger settlement closest to your accommodation is Brod na Kupi, about 5 kilometers far from Doluš. In Brod na Kupi just near the border crossing, there is a 17th-century fortress /castle, now renovated and adapted to a museum. The mace weapon outstanding at the rooftop of that building, hardly shackled door, gun holes on the fortress walls, even the tunnel dug up beneath the castle, testify about the past wars in this area and defending function of that building. But the fortress also had its residential function for members of the Zrinski noble family. The architecture of the building is simple, but solid and tight.
Restored and renewed Zrinski castle in the city of Brod na Kupi offers to the interested visitors a new one, remarkable content: permanent exhibition and items representing forestry, hunting and fishing of the Gorski kotar region. The permanent exhibition at the Brod na Kupi museum occupies 786 square meters, and is divided into five floors. The visitors can learn about the tradition, the history of Gorski kotar and the role that aristocratic Zrinski family had in it.
Brod na Kupi is a small settlement that appeared in 15th-century on the best suitable position for crossing the river. The name “Brod” (in Croatian means “the boat”) denotes unpowered ferries that crossed the river on a line, transporting merchandise and passengers.
In Brod na Kupi just between the museum and the church there is a small noteless bakery. The bakery is held by Mrs. Marija who makes bread there for decades. Don’t miss her “buhtla” bagels with marmalade or chocolate, it is something simply priceless when fresh and warm. She bakes it every working day about 5:30 PM.