Orhidejska Staza (Strahinjčica)

Strahinjščica is a wooded mountain ridge in the north of Croatia, in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region on the border with Slovenia, rising to around 850 metres above sea level. It is a favourite goal for walkers from Zagreb and the surrounding towns, because it combines easy paths, fresh air and open views over the hills of Zagorje. The Orchid Trail (Orhidejska Staza) is one of the routes that lead through the slopes near the village of Radoboj, and it is named after the wild orchids that grow in the sunny meadows and forest clearings.

Orchids are among the most diverse and fascinating flowers, and Croatia has dozens of wild species. Many of them favour dry, sunny grassland with limestone soils, such as the meadows on the hillsides here, and they bloom in spring and early summer, from the end of April to June, depending on the weather. The flowers are small and often subtle, in shades of purple, pink, yellow and white, and they repay slow, careful looking. Because they are protected, visitors should never pick them or leave the path, and should stay quiet and take photographs only. The meadows also support butterflies, bees and many other plants, and the trail passes through a mix of open grassland and beech forest, with birdsong in the trees.

The path itself is gentle and suitable for families and casual walkers, with no technical difficulty. It is waymarked, and information panels along the route explain the flora and the ecology of the meadows. The slope gives views across Zagorje, with its patchwork of fields, villages and church spires, and on clear days the distant ridges of Slovenia can be seen. The nearby summit, Vrh Sušec (Strahinjščica), is a longer outing for those who want a bigger climb, and the Crucifix Shrine at Strahinje Radobojsko, Jelenska Cave and the Sanjiva Dolina (Sleepy Hollow) offer other points of interest for a full day.

Radoboj has a place in the world of science. Its old mines and quarries are famous among palaeontologists for fossil insects, plants and fish from the Miocene period, and the village's history of mining and fossil collecting adds depth to a day in the hills. Bring water, sun protection and shoes with good grip, as meadow paths can be slippery after rain. The trail suits families, botanists, photographers and quiet walkers, and late spring is the best time for flowers.