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Gorski kotar is a region in the mountainous part of Croatia which is situated between the Kvarner region and the river Kupa valley. Gorski Kotar stretches to mountain Velebit through the mountain of Velika Kapela. Both regions are very interesting and offer many opportunities for hunting, mountaineering and other sport activities. The climate is very pleasant in the summer in both regions. Since the summers are not too hot, the regions are appealing to all who rather wish to avoid Mediterranean summer heat. In the winter they have popular ski destinations. Both regions are full of rivers and currents, picturesque valleys, lakes, caves and other natural beauties. All guests are welcome to stay in hotels, apartments or rural estates.
General information
- Geographical position: West continental Croatia
- Climate: continental
- Average summer temperature: 23° C
- Average winter temperature: -5° C
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Lika and Gorski Kotar is rather spiced and aromatic, full of strong smells and tastes. The reason for this is that it is never gets too hot in these areas as opposed to Mediterranean cuisine which is light due to hot climate. In Lika and Gorski Kotar food is mostly composed of grains, meat and milk. Most common meat specialty in Lika is grilled lamb and in Gorski Kotar people mostly eat game specialties such as cured deer or wild boar meat. Gorski Kotar is also known for frog legs specialties usually fried. It may seem a bit unusual, but give it a try! Let's not forget mushrooms, very aromatic in these areas, which are put in sauces and sometimes served as main course. For dessert you can try delicious apple or cheese strudels. In Gorski Kotar there are also strawberry, blackberry and raspberry strudels. Berries are also used to prepare various sweet liquors.
to topSport
When talking about sport in Lika and Gorski Kotar, we recommend spending as much time as possible in the fresh unpolluted air where you can regain your strength. Walk around the National Park Plitvice Lakes or through centennial forests in Lika. You can also mountaineer, free climb or go rafting to the river Korana.
Gorski Kotar has been a favorite place for all who like to spend an active holiday, and on the mountain of Bjelolasica there is a Croatian Olympic Center. Also there are rich hunting areas for hunting lovers. If you want to raft you can go to the river of Kupa and we recommend to raft in the spring or fall when the river rises due to rain. There are several bicycle paths for bicyclists, and for the brave there is the path from Novi Vinodolski to Begovo Razdolje. The path is 45 kilometer long.
to topFun and night life
Lika is a quiet, peaceful place with unspoiled nature without loud noises from cafes and bars. Take a walk and relax, enjoy the fresh air that will surely make you sleepy so that the nightlife will be out of the question anyway. There are various festivities throughout the year in Gorski Kotar, most famous of which is the frog jumping competition Žabarska noć held in Lokve in April. There is also Marohlinijada, picking of mushroom marohline organized in July in the National Park Risnjak, and of course, Martin festivity in Vrbovsko in November. From May to October there is the "Plodovi gorja" festivity in Mrkopolje when you can buy fruit and mushroom eco products such as marmalades, tea, cakes, and good brandy.
to topHow to get there?
- By car:
- Zagreb-Gospić 239 km
- Zagreb-Delnice 116 km
- Rijeka-Gospić 150 km
- Rijeka-Delnice 41 km
- Zadar-Gospić 92 km
- Zadar-Delnice 241 km
- By bus:www.akz.hr
What to see?
Zrinski palace and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene – Brod na Kupi
This beautiful palace was built in the 17th century when duke Petar Zrinski transferred the administration and court to Brod na Kupi. It is believed that the palace was built on the foundations of an old castle from the 15th or 16th century consolidating two purposes: defense and living. You can also visit the Church of St. Mary Magdalene built in the Baroque style.
Rački House-Delnice
This is one of the oldest houses in Delnice. The house is decorated in the old traditional style. In one of those houses you can see how people used to live in the central space around the open fireplace where the family used to spend most of their time. Food was stored and meet was dried at the attic, the rooms were separated and intended solely as sleeping areas since the cold winters forced the family to heat only one room. Still, it was never too cold due to the isolation of hay roofs. In any case the houses were dry, warm sanctuaries for the whole family.
Butterflies-Plitvice, Lika upper flow of river Kupa, Gorski Kotar
Ideal ecological conditions have resulted in specific flora in the upper flow of the river Kupa, which attracts a large number of butterflies. More than one hundred butterflies (108) have been identified on this area. Take a walk along the river and watch the beautiful butterflies playing, especially in late spring and early summer they come in great numbers. Butterflies must like Plitvice as well, since there are more than fifty butterfly species there. Visitors can enjoy their carefree flight, and biology lovers can practice recognizing the species according to their colorful wing patterns. Butterflies are spring couriers, but the largest number of species can be seen in summer.
Town of Drežnik -Lika
Drežnik, a small town near the old town of Slunj is situated in the Northwest of Croatia. Beside being a transit town between Zagreb and Zadar, Slunj is also a historical town whose first monument dates back to the 14th century. Drežnik, although a small town, is famous for its medieval town ruins dating from the year 1278 which have been held by dukes and noblemen of this area. Drežnik is an interesting excursion destination on the way from continental to coastal Croatia and a good place for with excellent food such as fish and game specialties.
to topWhere to go on a trip?
Sixteen Plitvice Lakes-Lika
The lakes are divided into two groups: Upper lakes (12) surrounded by forests are larger and calmer while the Lower 4 lakes situated 70 meter below high cliffs are surrounded by low vegetation. Plitvice lakes offer their visitors miles of well arranged walking paths in the form of wooden paths above the surface of the lakes and connect one shore to the other. In the summer the vegetation is very lush due to the influence of coastal climate and there is plenty of snow in the winter period due to the continental geographical position of Plitvice so the National Park is well visited throughout all four seasons.
Slunj-Lika
The town of Slunj is situated on the river Slunjčica near the point it decants into the beautiful river Korana on the regional road Zagreb – Plitvice Lakes– Zadar. Slunj has much to offer to its visitors. First of all there is the rich historical heritage of the old fortified town dating back to the year 1323, and unique nature with beautiful places such as Rastoke – fairytale like village with several mills.
You can find 300-year-old wooden houses in Rastoke completely renovated in the original form with yards decorated with flower and shrubbery. Visitors fall in love with Rastoke at first sight. If you travel southwards to Dalmatia stay a couple of days in the area around Slunj, go rafting, rent a kanu or kayak and try the fast currents of Korana and don't forget to taste fish and game food specialties – we believe you will enjoy them.
National Park Risnjak-Gorski Kotar
National Park Risnjak dominates the northwestern part of Gorski Kotar and takes the central highest area of this massif. There is also an educational trail almost four kilometers long. In the Park one can come across a beautiful and gentle state protected white edelweiss which often hides in the snow. The Park was named after the beautiful animal lynx (ris) which is also under the auspices of the state being an endangered species.
Lokve-Gorski Kotar
Lokve are best known for a large artificial lake called Omladinsko jezero (Youth Lake). Lokve thus became a popular place for sportsmen but also for all who love to swim. There are various competitions organized on the lake like competitions in underwater sports such as orientation diving. This is not all, there is also a limestone cave Lokvarka for those who like speleology and natural park forest Golubinjak ideal for long walks through relaxing green. There is the oldest tree in the forest – the majestic 250-year-old fir-tree.
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