Golubinjak Forest Park

Golubinjak Forest Park is a protected forest area at Lokve, in Gorski Kotar, the green mountain region between Zagreb and Rijeka, and it is a favourite place for families, walkers and cave enthusiasts. The park covers around fifty hectares of fir and beech forest in a karst valley, and at its centre is a broad green clearing, framed by tall firs and pale limestone cliffs, which gives the place the look of an Alpine glade. The air is cool and clean, the forest is quiet, and the landscape changes with the seasons: fresh green in spring, deep shade in summer, rich colours in autumn and a thick blanket of snow in winter. It lies close to Lake Lokve and the northern edge of Risnjak National Park, and it is part of the area that Croatians affectionately call the green lungs of the country.

The most famous resident is a giant fir known as the Queen of the Forest, a tree that is more than 250 years old and about 42 metres tall. Standing at its foot and looking up the long trunk is one of the main moments of a visit. The park is also known for its karst features. The limestone is full of caves, sinkholes and rock formations created by water over millions of years, and some of these can be seen along the marked trails. A network of paths of different lengths leads through the forest, including a panoramic trail with views of the valley and a long Cave Trail of about eleven kilometres, which visits formations and caves such as the Dimnjačarova Cave and the Lokvarka Cave. Information boards along the way explain the geology, the plants and the animals, and they make the walk instructive for children and adults alike.

The park offers facilities that make a day out easy. There is a playground for children, a multipurpose sports court and picnic areas, and grills can be rented, with advance booking recommended in busy periods. Groups can arrange guided tours, and visitors usually pay a modest entrance fee, with free entry for young children. Opening hours are limited to daytime, so check before you go. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a jacket since it is cooler than on the coast, and keep to the marked paths. Caves can be wet and slippery, and some require equipment and a guide, so do not enter them without proper preparation.

The park combines well with other places in the area. The Lokvarka Cave, a show cave, and Lake Lokve with its walking and fishing are close, and Risnjak National Park is a short drive away. The road from Zagreb to the coast passes nearby, which makes the park a good place to break a journey.

It suits families, hikers, picnickers and anyone who loves tall trees. Allow two to three hours, or more if you plan to walk the longer trails.