Japlenški vrh park-forest

Japlenški vrh is a protected park-forest on the edge of Delnice, the largest town in Gorski Kotar, the forested mountain region between Zagreb and Rijeka. The area covers about 173 hectares and lies at altitudes of roughly 750 to 842 metres, which gives it a cool mountain climate with plenty of snow in winter. It has been protected since 1953, and the status of a park-forest means that it is managed to preserve its natural character while remaining open for walking and recreation. The woods are a mixture of beech and fir, with clearings and meadows, and the paths are shaded, easy to follow and close to the town, which makes it a popular place for local people as well as visitors.

The park changes dramatically through the year. In spring the forest floor is covered in carpets of wildflowers, and bird song fills the trees. In summer the cyclamen bloom in the shade, the air is fresh and the temperature is several degrees below that of the coast. Autumn is the season of mushrooms, and the beech leaves turn shades of gold and copper, while in winter, snow covers the ground and the tracks of deer, foxes and other animals are visible. This variety is one of the reasons why people return throughout the year, and the park is also used for training by athletes who like the altitude.

The main trail starts near the Lovački dom, a hunting lodge with a restaurant and hotel, close to an enclosure where fallow deer are kept, and this makes the first stretch easy and family-friendly. The path is about three kilometres long, rated easy, and has educational boards that describe the plants, animals and ecology of the forest, so children and adults can learn as they walk. One of the unusual features is a ski jumping ramp of about 70 metres, built in 1947, which recalls the tradition of winter sport in Delnice and now works as a viewpoint over the town and the surrounding forests. In winter the slopes are used for skiing and cross-country skiing, when snow conditions allow.

Delnice has other facilities in the vicinity. There is an ice rink and a municipal swimming pool in town, along with cafés and restaurants serving the hearty food of the region, such as game, mushrooms and potatoes. The nearby villages of Drgomalj and Petehovac and the hunting house called Hiža Hajda give a taste of local life, and Risnjak National Park and Lake Lokve are within a short drive.

There are no opening hours or admission fees, so the forest can be explored at your own pace. It suits families, walkers, nature lovers and anyone passing through on the road between the coast and the capital. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, since the weather can change quickly.