17.08.2020.
Mountainous area of Croatia that’s separating sea and the continental part bursts with tranquility but not only that. It’s the fairy-tale land but literally. Ogulin is home to one the most famous croatian children writers.
Gorski kotar, where is it located? Just around 100 km from Zagreb and 40 km from Rijeka or even less.
Samarske stijene
These rocks are the land of its own. Architecture of nature will take you across the time and fantasy. The Pharaon valley, Castle, grand Canyon and even the area of the dryads are here.
Starting at the highest peak the valley plays with the views but with the fog also. We can even see Bjelolasica at the distance, the lovely skiing point. Rocks speak of their own identity.
The moss has the main role here making the perfect decoration of the dreamy land. Through few viewpoints the rocks created incredible art of nature.
The confusing element of the trail is the thing called Pyramid which appears appearantly twice. These rocks are extremely high with some alpinistic features but one of them are named Stairs, the other Pyramid.
It was funny that our guide meets few people he knows from the college, not only that they even had a same name. What a perfect college from this point of view to preferences to mountaineering doesn’t happen often. It was a cheerful fact though the 7 of us were mostly older mens from the club, not something that brightened my day though their enthusiasm is unbeatable.
The sweetest part comes at the end. The canyon. Though there’s a harder way, not recommended because of the rain that poured days before we chose the easier way. What an amazement, I felt like visiting Arizona except this one was not coloured. Who would miss the canyon? It is and sounds so inviting. The art of nature once again shows its power beyond imagination.
The sweetest part comes on the way to the end. The refuge shelter, what a house called The shelter of Ratko (Ratkovo sklonište). As this was the main content of the conversation how amazing this house is, my question was- Is it a house at all? How possible among all these rocks? The answer was always- You beat it’s a real house, what do you think. Or Ratko is waiting with the sweet chocolate. What?!
Now when we came to Ratko’s place the amazement was -wow. It’s a place you just need to see, such a unique shelter in the mountains. When I posted this picture at instagram, everybody asked how it looks inside expressing the wish to visit. It is a pretty normal house with the tables and the gallery to sleep.
Now it was maybe 30 minutes till hour car. Again we met the slovenian man who walks alone, how possible specially after coronna lockdown. But people are brave and not bored with their own company.
Samarske stijene showed in all their beauty what the thrill it is to discover the nature. The place we were accomodated was a hostel serving also as the ski-center at the village called Mrkopalj. Though there’s a mountain hut at the same village, we chose this one as it’s more comfortable. Even the library is here and only one lady is leading the whole thing. I asked for the viewpoint but couldn’t managed to go up. The restaurant and pizzeria is just across.
Next time is the chance to discover also Bijele stijene (White rocks).
Ogulin & Klek
Ogulin is known as the birth place of the croatian children writer Ivana Brlić Mažuranić. The museum dedicated to her is located at the park near the lovely castle. The roots of Ogulin are also at this place belonging to the noble family Frankopan. River Dobra in Ogulin shapes the majestic Đulin ponor, the canyon dedicated to the girl and her unreturned love.
Excellent local cheese can be found almost at every corner at its surroundings. Ogulin town is the host to the festival of the fairy-tale every June when the special train goes from Zagreb to celebrate the glory of this colourful and rich event.
Though Ogulin doesn’t belong to Gorski kotar, Klek does.
Klek is a craddle of croatian mountaineering, an easy walk that it takes aproximately 2 hours up. It’s also an elegant alpinistic opportunity. Due to the legend Klek is the habitat of whitches taking some fairy-tale signs during the trails. The rock itself has the shape of the giant.
Not only picturesque view burst on the palm of your hand as you reach the top, but also the views of nearby mountains like Bjelolasica, Risnjak and even Alps. What I admire at Klek except the views is the diversity of wonderful flowers. Endemic primrose can also be found here. During our rise we even heard some english speaking people which was astonishing just as the lockdown began to smooth.
All in all
Gorski kotar amazes with its tranquility, the autumn should be specially beautiful with the nuances of colours. Its vastness I leave it for some other tales. It also amazes that our guide came back to the same place only after two weeks. I think this speaks enough of the beauty of the place.
This was a great read! I’m still trying to figure out how they got a house in between all those rocks.😁
Wow, this is such a beautiful place. As a gardener, I adore all the flowers and I’m also a huge fan of moss 🙂
Croatia has always been on my bucket list!
What a cool house! I would have enjoyed seeing what the inside looks like and wonder if it’s safe. Beautiful photos!
Wow, what a fairytale place indeed! That canyon looks great and I’m glad you made it 🙂
What a very beautiful nature! I loved the Gorski Kotar mountain view. Thanks for sharing this very detailed guide and beautiful photos
I didn’t know there were mountain hikes in Crostia let alone such unique ones. Love you pictures!
Croatia is definitely a place I’d like to explore and this is a part I’ve never heard of. It sounds fascinating and looks wonderful.
A really good read. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! This is such an awesome place! Had never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!
MagicandBliss | https://magicandbliss.com/
Wow, so gorgeous! Croatia is really high on our list to visit!
Love the refuge set in stone, it reminds me of my student years… Beautiful!
That little mountain house is so epic. The entire journey looks beautiful!
Wow your photos are stunning. How beautiful is the canyon? I bet it was a great experience. Croatia is now going on my list of places to visit!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
“Home to one the most famous Croatian children writers?!” I am not surprised, Croatia is truly a magical place.
Like most, I would have been curious to see the interior of the mountain shelter -;
Croatia looks very nice. I would like to visit all the countries around there.
Absolutely beautiful! I’ve been to Pula, Croatia and it was the most magnificent place I have ever been. I want to go back to Croatia! This just might have to be the place!
What a wonderful place! Croatia has a breath-taking nature. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience and photos
Truly a fairy-tale land. Beautiful views and a sense of tranquility. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Croatia. It is, hopefully, a place I’ll get to visit. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Wow these mountains are so beautiful. I would love to visit Croatia sometime!
Croatia is such a beautiful country 🙂 And you really have showed it in it’s true appearance. Great post!
Oooh! Gorski Kotar looks amazing!! Love the views from the top. Looks so peaceful. The buildings look amazing – feels so old school. Glad you had an amazing time out there!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
WOW! Everything looks so beautiful, I love it!
Mish | https://latteswithmish.com
Hii That’s an amazing and magical landscape.i can easily imagine it being home trolls and other mythical beings!
Okay wow, what an incredible place! I’ve never heard of it, but definitely need to go back to Croatia now to see it! I love mountains and this place is definitely extraordinary.
I love how many picture you added to this post! ♥ Views are stunning and I hope to visit these places one day, especially ”The shelter of Ratko”! That’s something really amazing and surprising!
This looks like such a beautiful place. Thanks so much for sharing
Oh my goodness! I’d never heard of this place before and it looks so magical! and you’re right, definitely 100% fairy-tale
Kirstin
http://LetsGoSomewhereElse.co.uk
This looks absolutely beautiful!! I’ll make sure to add this to my bucket list!
Wow, it’s so beautiful! And those rock features are pretty amazing. I’d definitely enjoy a place like that. Thanks for sharing the beauty!
Who doesn’t love nature. Seem like Croatia is a fun and adventurous place to visit.
Fascinating!