Kunagora Mountain Hut and Chapel

Kunagora is a wooded ridge just outside Pregrada, a small town in Hrvatsko Zagorje, in the north-west of Croatia, close to the border with Slovenia. The hill is a favourite local destination for walkers, and the mountain hut and chapel on its slopes are the best-known places to stop. Zagorje is a region of rolling hills, castles, vineyards and pilgrimage churches, and Kunagora combines several of these features in a small area: a hiking destination, a place of worship and a lookout over the valley.

The mountain hut is a simple building run by mountaineering enthusiasts, where hikers can rest, get a drink and something to eat in season, and enjoy a view. Opening depends on the season and the volunteers, so it is wise to ask in Pregrada or check local information before you set out, and not to rely on the hut being open on weekdays. From the terrace, the view takes in the valley of the Kosteljina stream, the roofs of Pregrada and the hills beyond, and on clear days the line of the Medvednica mountain rises on the horizon to the south.

The chapel near the hut is dedicated to Our Lady, and the neighbouring open space, referred to as the square of Our Lady of Kunagora, is the setting of a traditional pilgrimage. The pilgrims climb the hill on foot and gather for Mass, and the chapel and the meadow are a point of local identity. Outside the pilgrimage season, the chapel is a quiet place to pause. Treat it as an active place of worship and keep your voice down.

Several marked paths lead to Kunagora from the town and the surrounding villages. They climb through beech and oak woods and meadows, passing viewpoints, and they are suitable for walkers of average fitness. The highest point of the ridge is a wooded summit that lies a short walk beyond the hut, and the open plateau of Velika Ravna offers a grassy space for picnics. From the hut, routes lead on to other sights in the area, including the Vražja peć cave and the medieval castle of Veliki Tabor, one of the best-preserved fortified manor houses in Croatia, a short drive away. The ruins of the Kostelgrad castle and a set of steps called the Lenart steps are also listed in this guide.

Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and a rain jacket, and check the weather, as the paths can be slippery when wet. Autumn is a good time to visit for the colours. The hut and the chapel suit hikers, families, pilgrims and anyone who likes simple, quiet places. Allow two to four hours, depending on your route.