View of Ravna Gora

Ravna Gora is a village and municipality in Gorski Kotar, the heavily forested highland of western Croatia, Croatia’s mountain heartland, at an altitude of around 800 metres, on the high ground between Zagreb and the Adriatic coast. The View of Ravna Gora is the outlook from the hills and clearings around the village, where the forest opens to give broad views of the mountains, and it is a good introduction to the landscape of the region.

Visitors find the area a place of long horizons and deep green, in the Croatian highlands. Beech and fir woods cover the slopes in an almost unbroken carpet, interrupted by meadows and small clearings where villages sit, and the ridges roll away in lines of blue. Viewed from the hills, the pattern of forest, clearing and distant mountain gives a sense of space that is rare in Croatia. In autumn the beech woods turn gold and copper, in winter snow covers everything in white and in spring the meadows fill with flowers. Gorski Kotar has some of the cleanest air in the country, as well as abundant wildlife, including bears, wolves and lynx, which live in the forests though they are seldom seen.

Walkers and cyclists can reach the best viewpoints by marked trails. A popular and rewarding route in the wider mountain area leads toward Bjelolasica, the highest peak in Gorski Kotar, passing quiet rest stops and, along the way, caves and chasms typical of the limestone mountains. The routes vary from gentle strolls to demanding treks, so you can choose according to your fitness, and the fresh mountain air makes even a modest walk a pleasure. The Javorova Kosa Summit and Lookout Tower is an easy outing from the village, and the Muževa Hiža Cave is a short excursion for those interested in caves. The Hiking Trails of Ravna Gora form a network that links these places.

Ravna Gora is also developing as a base for active holidays. Cycling, cross-country skiing, sledging and walking are all available, and in winter the village has facilities for snow sports and small ski runs, and for those who prefer indoor entertainment, a bowling alley has opened. It is less than an hour’s drive from the coast around Rijeka, which makes it convenient to combine mountain and sea in one trip, and it lies close to the motorway that links Zagreb with Rijeka.

The village’s guesthouses and restaurants serve hearty mountain food, such as stews, game dishes, sausages and cakes made with local honey and berries. Prices are generally lower than on the coast.

The viewpoints suit walkers, cyclists, families and photographers. Bring warm clothing and waterproofs, since the weather can change quickly at this altitude, and check the forecast. Early morning light is the best for views.