From the Roman “Magna Vie” near Komin to the Zelina charcoal kilns known far and wide
Zagreb County

This route is a part of Zagreb County Cycling Network project run by Tourist Board of Zagreb County. We are recommending that together with this description you are using published/paper map number 10 (scale 1:40 000) which can be obtain from office of Tourist Board of Zagreb County, Preradovićeva 42, Zagreb, Croatia, www.tzzz.hr. Please contact office for map delivery.

Route description

This route is intended to turn your attention to today's settlement of Komin where 95 kg of late Roman money was found, confirming all assumptions of the existence of the settlement Pyrri during Roman times in this spot. This was also the location of one of the main state roads, called “magna via”, that connected Poetovio (today Ptuj) and Siscia (Sisak), i.e. the northern province and Pannonia. This Roman communication remained important during the medieval age when the rulers of Zelingrad supervised the road as did other nobles and landowners, as there were many in this area. The importance of this area also grew due to the importance of this road, and the entire area developed. Ban Mikac granted royal privileges to the area of Zelina and Moravča in 1328, turning Zelina into a free trading zone beneath Zelingrad, and the right to hold a trading fair each Thursday also was reflected in the name of Zelina at that time, Četvrtkovec (četvrtak=Thursday). Several centuries later, in the mid 19th century, based on these historical foundations, this grew into a strong craft and trade centre and alongside the many butchers, boot makers, shoe makers, millers, blacksmiths and carpenters other representatives of the national economic trades arose, including charcoal makers and lime makers, as the raw materials for both professions were in abundance in this area. The charcoal makers worked in the charcoal kilns, old brick rooms shaped like an igloo where wood was burnt to make charcoal. This route offers the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with the old charcoal kilns in Zrinščina. The route is easy and is recreational in character, but above all, it is both interesting and beautiful. The area around Rakovec can rightfully be called pastoral, as many cows can be seen at pasture and milk trucks passing through the villages collecting fresh milk.

The route begins at the plateau  1  next to the Church of the Epiphany in Komin. There is a parking lot next to the church which offers a lovely panoramic view of the area you are about to ride through. From the church, head downhill to the right through the small street to the intersection in the centre of Komin. Adjust your riding speed as you are passing through a village! Take caution at the intersection  2  as it is very busy and visibility is somewhat limited. This is the old Varaždin road, and we recommend you use the nearby crossroad. In the centre, you will see the Dragutin Domjanić elementary school, a shop and the post office. From the intersection, continue in the direction of the highway overpass. Upon crossing over the highway, you will enter into Gornji Tomaševec. At the T intersection in Gornji Tomaševec  3  at the 1.5 km mark from the route starting point, continue riding straight uphill. This begins your ride through the hills that are typical for this area. The uphill climb is constant and tough, so save your strength. At the 4.3 km mark from the route starting point, you will come to a steep and long downhill section and then to a Y intersection  4  in Radoišće. Take caution in Radoišće as it is easy to miss the intersection and continue along the main road towards Križevci! At the elementary school on the right hand side of the road, turn right in the direction of Zrinščina. The route continues through the valley of Cukovec creek past meadows and past a grassy football field. A short but steep climb takes you up to the fantastic ridge sections of this route. Soon after the climb, at the 6 km mark, you will reach a Y intersection  5  in Mojčeci. The brown route continues along the main road, right at the intersection. However, we recommend you turn left or take turnoffs B1 and/or B2, a 1.8 km distance, which will lead you to a real historical treat B1: the charcoal kilns (vuglenice) in the settlement of Zrinščina.

These are traditional ovens where the local population make charcoal in the traditional manner. The kilnsmen in the Zelina area were known far and wide, as were the lime makers. Lime was made from limestone that was burned in the lime kilns (vapnenice), while charcoal was made by burning wood in charcoal kilns. For certain agricultural improved their household incomes with the sale of charcoal while for others, this was the main source of income. After a visit to the kilns, you can visit Zrinščina Lake by taking turnoff B2. The lake has been beautifully designed through the great love and effort of the local population for this lake, seen in the numerous details like the "island of love" in the middle of the lake and the wooden bridges. If you decide to visit the lake, please keep the order and peace. The gravel access road to the lake is steep, so be careful! The bicycle route continues downhill along the paved ridge rod in the direction of Salnik. In Salnik, you will pass by the Chapel of the Mother of God of Bistrica, and soon afterwards past the Greek Catholic Church of St. Petca (Parasceva). Riding along the ridge road will provide fantastic views to revel in. At the 11 km mark, you will enter into the settlement Valetić where a unique viewing point opens up from the road, stretching to Mt. Kalnik (highest peak Vranilac, 643 m) and the walls of the old Kalnik fortress (from the 13th century, a popular alpine climbing site) to the east, and to Mt. Ivanščica (1061 m, the plateau meadow is a famous paragliding take-off point) to the north. Continue riding through Gornje Dvorišće and at the 13.2 km mark from the route starting point, at the Y intersection before Donje Dovrišće  6  take a sharp left turn at one of the turns. Caution in the turn as visibility is limited! After the intersection, the route continues across the bridge and you will soon come to a short but steep climb. After the climb, you will pass a Y intersection; keep to the right and ride towards Hruškovec. At the 14.8 km mark from the route starting point and before the entry into Hruškovec, turn right again at the Y intersection  7 . You will pass through Hruškovec and arrive at a T intersection  8  at the 16 km mark. At the intersection, turn right towards Rakovec.

The road to the left heads towards Vrbovec. Take caution while turning, as you are coming onto a busier road! At the 17 km mark, you will enter into the centre of Rakovec where you can stop for a rest and some refreshment in the local cafe and shop. The route continues on past the parish church, then left, and after another shop at the Y intersection  9 , turn right towards Krečavesi. Before Krečavesi, pay attention to the gravel turnoff to the left which leads to the thermal spring called Jokobanja, which we have called “shower in the field” where the local population heal body and soul. At the T intersection 10 in Krečaves, at the 20.5 km mark from the route starting point, turn right and continue riding in the direction of Novo Mjesto. See the blue route for more information about the Chapel of St. Peter in Novo Mjesto. The route leads you on through Donje and then Gornje Polonje, and you will also pass through Keleminovec. At the 28 km mark from the route starting point, you will reach a T intersection in Gornji Tomaševec that crosses with the road at the beginning of the route. At the T intersection  3  turn left and once again cross over the highway overpass to return to the impressive Church of the Epiphany in Komin. Again, take caution while passing over the old Varaždin road. Visit the restaurant Tonček in Komin, recommended for its excellent food and fine wines, to sort through all the impressions and images from the route.

Technical description of the route

Cultural-historical, ethnology and natural points of interest:

Accommodation, hospitality facilities and sport and recreation:

Service information

Authors: Lidija Mišćin and Robert Rigo
Published: September 2006.

If you notice any changes on route, which are not introduce in route description, please inform us about changes on email: rigo@pedala.hr