Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje - hiking, cycling, climbing

This mountainous region between Slovenia and Croatia will be good choice for your active vacation. Yes, better weather is coming, the spring is coming and warmer days are just around the corner. Put your hiking shoes and/or climbing helmet and follow me to Croatian north and countrie's one of the highest peaks. Let me present you Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park.

Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje is a park – a huge park. Since 1999 officially protected. This park has 12 protected areas, 7 of them in Croatia - Significant landscape Slapnica, Significant landscape Okić, Special nature reserve (forest) Japetić, Nature monument Grgos cave, Park-forest Tepec and Stražnik, Special botanical reserve Smerovišće and Natura 2000 Vugrin cave. Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje as a nature park is home for more than1000 species of different plants – so, botanical enthusiast will enjoy the visit on this level as well. Besides natural wonders and beautiful landscapes Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje is place where people lived continuously since pre-history. To see how people lived since pre-history until nowadays you can join one of the educational trails.

For more fun and adrenaline there are 40-60 km long bicycle paths. Spring and summer are definitely the best part of the year to visit Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje on your bicycle. Riding a horse is very interesting and part of a bucket-list of many people. In Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje that’s also very possible – local equestrian clubs organize riding trails and riding school. More than 10 hiking trails are available in the park – on the park’s website you can choose one (or two) or just create your own. There are two climbing terrains – Okić and Terihaji. Always remember that climbing is only recommendable with experienced trainers and climbers. Japetić and Plešivica are registered terrains for practicing paragliding.

Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature park is easy approachable from Zagreb and Karlovac in Croatia and Novo Mesto and Ljubljana in Slovenia. I will suggest to catch the bus from either Zagerb or Samobor and continue by foot or just come on you bicycle and enjoy it even more.