The primroses of Papuk: magnificient celebration of spring at the mountain

04.02.2019

Legendary mountain Papuk which is situated in its most part in Velika, Slavonia is the host to the annual spring gathering The primroses of Papuk. Already 36th time Papuk becomes the crown of mountaineering where arrive people from all over Croatia and wider. Area that is grateful to visit in any season has plenty of reasons why. Deep forrests and rocky paths protect us from summer heats and winter muds, give us delight in autumn and help us in welcoming spring. These impressions from the last year are taken here where spring is fighting with winter, the snow comes back in every shape and corner of our hope to be careless in the Sun.

What to see

Five directions at The primroses of Papuk, five different routes were this year in option like the panorama over the best places.

The path of primroses is the shortest and the most attractive route as the most people take this one. As the name suggests the lots of primroses on the way make the reason. It traverses the Old castle, the remains of tower still in imposing shape. From here the wonderful view of stone-pit spreads out. Here starts the Educational trail with wooden boards, sympathic pictures and relevant stuff. The rocks of Tauber are the rocks in the real sense of the word like the jagged path, with the cross on the top. This beautiful spot deserves all attention. The peak of Lapjak is the highest point of the Educational trail with its 667m. Other peaks at Papuk are Ivačka glava (913m) that is also place with an extraordinary view, Češljakovački vis (825m), Koprivnato brdo (852m), Lom & Točak (887m) and Papuk as the highest peak with 953m.

The walking path to Trišnjica is more simpler but assigned as longer than the Path of primroses. Trišnjica is a mountain house where mountaineers come to warm up and relax, maybe on the swing maybe just searching for flowers. The welcoming sign is always nice to see: „Trišnjice kućo stara, evo tvojih planinara“ (Trišnjica, the old house, here come your mountaineers!). We chose going to Trišnjica this time because my friends wanted to come back earlier. There’s a path straight on the road line which we bypassed through forrest in the direction towards. A little adventure of crossing the stream took us entirely dried! So now you know if you don’t know already that mountaineers and hikers develop some exquisite skills like this. There’s a nice viewpoint called Tisovac to all the peaks at Papuk but unfortunately we couldn’t see anything because of fog.

The path to Jankovac was choosed to be unmarked one. Few years ago there were seven trails at the Primroses of Papuk and one of them was unmarked trail. This one was not going to Jankovac, just unmarked trail. So the adorable Jankovac. Did you hear for it already? It’s the beautiful excursion site, property of another county, Virovitičko-podravska. Lake, the big waterfall, educational trail with stroll, the tomb of count Janković, the cemetery of glass due to the production of glass- all that can be found on this spot. Including the big meadow, the fairytale meadow with the wonderful mountain hut. The restaurant inside is quite imposing. Jankovac is also the place of many happenings. One of them is known as Knightly games, that used to bring together junglers, drummers, craftworkers and the others at the beginning of September.

There used to be a ski lift in the nearness of Jankovac but unfortunately it waits the better days if so. Just like the swimming pool in Velika that after the project of constructing the hotel and wellness centre got forgotten. I do hope that the swimming pool will be alive again. The skiing in Jankovac brings memories that only Jankovac can bring. Having the place like Jankovac near your home is the boon hidden in the heart.

Mališćak and Češljakovački vis were two remaining options. Mališćak offers another mountain house with another cross and Češljakovački vis the trail for horses.

Beside this, it’s also recommendable to visit at Papuk Ivačka glava, a summit with one of the best views. The hills go on and on like the music. Peak of Papuk, mentioned earlier hides the zen bench with another wonderful view. If I had to choose one of these two, I would choose Ivačka glava. In the lowland down it’s worth visiting the Forestry faculty, the department in Velika. The brook with little waterfalls and sculpture of Mother Mary nearby is just astonishing. Velika is home of many relaxing meadows, those of big enterprises where people come to picknick. The camping place for the visiting has been built in recent years. Papuk is rich with streams that fall down like waterfalls to another stream giving the amazement for the eyes and soul.

 

The Primroses of Papuk were this year like always accompanied by bread rolls and tea & coffee in the morning, by beans and johnycakes for lunch and the live music. But not only this. The visual part didn’t miss so decorations made of giant primroses in previous last years became the total hit. The little primroses were put on jacket or in the hair. More than that, we enjoyed in preparing this little decorations.

Besides the Primroses of Papuk, Velika need to be discovered. Its mediterrean note is inwrought in the cobblestone houses and walls, cobblestone taverns, in the pines that shine on. The sundial stands proudly at the main church.

All in all

If you haven’t yet, come to the Primroses of Papuk. Come anytime in Velika. Thousands of people join the Primroses discovering Papuk from the new angle all over again. You will not be left in the Old castle, we have the mountain huts with the greatest one Lapjak if there’s not the other option in nearby Požega. Come for one day but don’t let that this mountaineering soul of Slavonia lets you by. I know we’re all proud of our mountains but Papuk is a special mountain with lots of possibilities. The protecting heart of the area lies in Papuk.