Djed Hill Forest Park

Djed Hill Forest Park is a protected wooded hill on the edge of Hrvatska Kostajnica, a small town on the Una river, on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Sisak-Moslavina region. The park covers the slopes of a hill that rises above the town and gives a high, green viewpoint over the roofs, the river and the countryside beyond. It has the status of a forest park, a protected category for places of natural value that are used for recreation, and it is a quiet refuge for local people who come to walk, sit and enjoy the shade. The forest is made up of native trees and shrubs, with many species of birds and small animals, and the tranquil atmosphere is a relief after the heat of the town in summer.

The main reason to visit is the panorama. Paths climb the slope through the trees, and from the upper parts, the view opens over Hrvatska Kostajnica, the Una winding through its valley, and the hills on both sides of the border. The paths are well maintained and mostly gentle, so the walk is accessible to most people, and a visit typically takes less than an hour. It is a good place for a picnic, for photography and for a short rest. The park is free to enter and open all year, without fixed hours, so it can be enjoyed at sunrise or in the evening light. Because the hill is shaded, it is pleasant in summer, and in autumn the leaves turn yellow and brown.

Hrvatska Kostajnica has a long and turbulent history. It was an important fortress and river town on the frontier between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire, and it changed hands several times, being held by the Ottomans from the 16th century until the end of the 17th. The town suffered heavily in the war of the 1990s, and memorials such as the Broken Landscape monument recall that time. The remains of the parish church of St. Nicholas, a site of the older town, and the Tekija Spring, a natural spring on the edge of town, are among the places that can be visited on foot. The Lenac Farmers Market gives a taste of local produce and daily life. The Una river is known for its clear, green water and is popular for rafting and canoeing upstream.

Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and respect the protected status of the park by staying on paths and taking away litter. The hill is close to the centre, so parking in town and walking up is easy.

The park suits walkers, families, photographers and travellers on the road along the Una. Combine it with a stroll through the town and a visit to the river.