Ravna Gora – Gorski Kotar

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Ravna Gora offers active vacation and winter pleasures – In the very centre of Gorski kotar, around 40 kilometres off the coast, surrounded by mountains, there is the town Ravna Gora, attracting more and more visitors each year with its possibilities for active vacation, especially in the winter time.

At an average altitude of 800 metres, Ravna Gora is surrounded by areas of untouched nature, clean air and spring water. It is a paradise for mountaineering enthusiasts, cyclists, walkers and all nature lovers.

Ravna Gora is flanked by the mountain Bjelolasica and the hills Višnjevac and Suhi vrh on one side, and the hills Javorova kosa, Kosica and a number of smaller hills on the other. Beside the interesting landscape, all of these hills offer possibilities for active vacation, joined in the tour-program of Ravna Gora mountain paths, with 12 major locations.

Completely developed cycling trails and a completely new and beautiful bowling alley are new facilities attracting an increasing number of tourists who want to enjoy in sports tourism. Ravna Gora features winter sports facilities, offering, just like many other neighbouring towns, paths for Nordic disciplines – Nordic running and skiing, as well as ski slopes, sledge slopes and areas for children.

In Šije, a town not far from Ravna Gora, there is a small ski lift where recreational skiers can ski day and night. Mountaineers and hikers can enjoy in the Ravna Gora mountain path that goes through the wider area surrounding the town. The tour begins at the chasm Kosice, 970 metres above sea level and ends on the highest peak of Gorski kotar – Bjelolasica.

It includes Kicljeve jame caves, one of the largest cave systems in Croatia, as well as surrounding hills and mountains – Javorova kosa, Vijenac, Turmin, Višnjevica and Bjelolasica. The tour also includes, of course, rest stops along the way on platforms, lookout-spots and excursion destinations, where visitors can enjoy in the numerous natural, cultural and religious monuments and sights.

It takes around 24 hours to take the entire tour on foot, which, of course, depends on the will and fitness of the visitors, and those interested can take the entire tour in the company of an expert guide.

Visitors will also be happy to know that they can taste home-made specialties and mountain fruits in Ravna Gora restaurants, with a pleasant accommodation and hospitable hosts, while mountain lodges offer the possibility of a unique accommodation and a stay in nature.

When visiting Ravna Gora, be sure to go and see its cultural monuments, the excursion destination Javorova kosa with the mountain lodge next to which, according to legend, the healing well Božji studenac is located. Visitors should also take a tour of the Ravna Gora mountain path, bicycle trails or take advantage of other recreational possibilities. The hunting area “Višnjevica” offers the possibility of recreational hunting and photography. (Ravna Gora Tourist Board www.tz-ravnagora.hr)