Žitnica Mountain Lodge

Žitnica Mountain Lodge is a hikers' hut on the slopes of Japetić, the highest peak of the Samobor Hills, in the area known as Samobor and Žumberak, west of Zagreb. It sits at about 815 metres on a quiet meadow, roughly a kilometre southwest of the summit, and it is looked after by a mountaineering society. The lodge was built between 1951 and 1955 by the Jastrebarsko Hiking Society, at a time when volunteer hiking clubs across Croatia were building huts so that ordinary people could reach the hills for weekends and holidays. That spirit of volunteer, community-run mountain hospitality still marks the place.

The building is simple and practical. A dining room and kitchen provide basic meals and drinks, and there is a terrace where hikers can sit and look out over the valleys and woods. Three bedrooms with a total of 21 beds allow overnight stays, which are ideal for those who want to start a longer hike early in the morning. The lodge also sells mountaineering literature, maps and guides to the area, which is useful if you plan to explore. It is open on Friday afternoons, at weekends, on holidays and by appointment, so it is wise to call ahead, especially if you plan to eat or sleep there.

The lodge is a starting point for several walks. Marked trails lead to the summit of Japetić, to Šoićeva kuća, another well-known mountain hut, and along ridges and through beech forests. Routes range from easy forest walks to longer, more demanding loops for experienced hikers, and the lodge is described as a stage on the Karlovac Bypass and the circular mountaineering route through the Samobor Hills. The surrounding forests are quiet and cool in summer, and in autumn the beech leaves turn rust and gold, so this is a good season for walking.

Getting there is possible by car, using a macadam road from Sveta Jana, or from Samobor or Jastrebarsko, and parking is available nearby. The road is narrow and can be rough after rain, so drive carefully. For those who prefer to walk, the approach from Sveta Jana is a traditional hiking route. In the same area, Castle Zwilling, Erdödy Castle and the Griffin Winery offer cultural and culinary stops, particularly in the wine hills near Jastrebarsko.

The lodge suits hikers, families with older children and anyone who enjoys simple mountain hospitality. Bring cash, warm clothing and good shoes, and check the opening days before setting out.