Žumberak
Žumberak, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Žumberak, Croatia
The beautiful Zumberak Nature Park is located in northwestern Croatia in a bucolic mountainous setting. Forests of beech and chestnut trees cover much of this 333 square kilometer preserve. It is sparsely populated with some farming.
The Zumberak has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Iron Age and Roman sites are found within Zumberak at a site in Budinjak. The Tuscak fortress and Old Town Tumberak fortresses hearken from the medieval era.
The scenic Zumberak park features the Zumberak Mountains and the Samobor Mountains. The highest peak in the park is the 1178 meter Sveta Gera. Other natural points of interest are waterfalls like the 40-meter high Sopot waterfall, over 300 springs and many natural caves.
There is an incredibly rich array of animal and plant life to be seen in Zumberak. Thirty-six orchid species alone have been recorded within the park! Large predators that are rare elsewhere can be seen in Zumbarek. Bears and wolves roam the wilds in this nature preserve, their populations sustained by the rich abundance of prey animals.
There are a plethora of recreational activities to enjoy in Zumbarek. One can actively enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in the Zumbarek by mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, hiking and cycling. There are many kilometers of well-marked hiking and biking trails available like the Karlovac Hiking Transverse that features the Sopot Waterfall and scenic villages.
There are many opportunities to enjoy traditional cuisine in the scenic villages throughout the Zumbarek. Venison and traditional dishes are prevalent as are the fine regional wines. One particularly special place is the Medven family estate located right near the entrance to the Zumbarek Nature Park. This 25,000 square meter estate shows life as it was 300 years ago. A stay at this authentic estate is truly a memorable experience and a perfect way to either start or end your visit to the Zumberak Nature Preserve.
