Through the centuries old forest vegetation reserves to the magnificent fish ponds of the Vrbovec area
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 (scale 1:60 000) 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

The population of the Dubrava area, rich in lands and forests, has been mentioned throughout history in connection with the establishment of the Zagreb Diocese. As the name itself implies, Dubrava (Croatian = woods or glade) has always been known for its dense, green oak forests, alternating with fertile plough fields and lush meadows. The Hungarian King Ladislav, who established the Zagreb Diocese in 1094, gave Dubrava to the bishops, thereby transforming it into a bishop’s town (castle), encircled by walls and a deep moat. Eight well known clergymen were born in Dubrava in the 15th and 16th century. The bishop’s town of Dubrava succeeded in fending off attacks from the Turks right up until the 16th century, when it lost the battle. It is important to note that this historical town was also the venue for the Parliament Assemblies of the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia on four occasions, in 1527, 1536, 1537 and 1539. At the Parliament Assembly held on 6 January 1527, Ivan Zapolja was chosen to be the Croatian king.

The bicycle route begins in the centre of the municipality on the main square (Trg Slobode)  1 , which is suitable for parking and planning out your trip with a morning coffee. From the square, the route leads you down Strossmayerova Street. You will soon arrive in Brezje. At the Y intersection  2 , 1 km from the route starting point, turn right next to the crucifix and mill. Continue riding down the narrow and less busy paved road through the fields and villages. You will soon reach the village of Dubravski Markovac, at the 2.9 km mark. The lovely Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel stands in the shade of tall trees in the centre of the village. The route continues on through the picturesque village of Mali Markovac. On the left hand side of the street is an interesting chapel-shrine, adorned with many small gifts from the local population. At the 4.9 km mark of the route, you will reach the Y intersection  3  with a busy road. Turn left at the intersection, and ride very cautiously down this busy main road to Koritna. In the village of Koritna, at the T intersection  4  at the 5.9 km mark of the route, continue riding straight to the right of the chapel, along the narrow and less busy paved road. The Chapel of St. Florien and statue of St. Florien, the patron saint of firefighters, and crucifix from 1905 stand in the centre of the town. The route continues along the picturesque road that offers fantastic views of the surrounding fields, forests and idyllic villages. This part of the route is at a somewhat higher altitude, and in the distance, one can see two mountains, Zelinska gora and Medvednica above Zagreb. You will also have a good view of the two landmarks of the town of Vrbovec, the church tower and water tower. Soon you will enter into the village of Zabrđe, and after this, into the village of Grabrić.

At the 11.7 km mark of the route, you will reach the Chapel of St. Barbara, which stands on a small plateau in the midst of the cemetery. On this part of the route, the vistas stretch all the way to Mt. Kalnik, and Mt. Ivanščica and other mountains in Inland Croatia. Ride northwards to Cugovec and the Y intersection  5 , at the 12.3 km mark. In nice weather, you can see the Kalnik cliffs in the distance if you look northwards from the distance, right between the houses. At the intersection, turn right to the south and head towards the artificial lake, the Fuka fish pond. The route continues along the hills, past the fish pond, right to the Y intersection in the Brezik forest  6 , at the 16.4 km mark of the route. At the intersection, turn left in the direction of Habjanovac and continue riding along the narrow paved road through the woods. You will soon pass the Zrno Eco Estate (Habjanovac 45), a suitable place for rest and refreshment, and later pass the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. After leaving the hilly and idyllic village of Habjanovac, you will reach an intersection in the Bukovac forest. At the intersection  7 , at the 20.3 km mark, continue riding straight down the gentle descent, along the wide gravel road through the Bukovac forest. The ride through the forest is a special experience. On the left are fenced hunting grounds and, if you’re quiet enough while passing through, you might catch a glimpse of some wild boar. The ride through the forest ends next to the Sokol Hunting Society, where the paved road continued towards Gornji Vukšinac. In Gornji Vukšinac, at the T intersection  8 , at the 24 km mark of the route, turn right. After 200 m, at the next intersection with the crucifix, turn left onto the gravel road. The route continues through the vineyards and orchards, through the surrounding fields, towards the Vukšinac fish pond (private property – restricted access and movement through the area).

From here, you will have a nice view of the fish ponds with the surrounding centuries old common oak forests. The gravel road turns into a dirt road, which gently leads you down towards the fish pond. Right before the entry ramp into the fish pond area, pay attention to the poorly visible intersection  9 , at the 25.9 km mark, where you need to turn right into the forest on the unmarked forest trail. The forest trail continues for another 100 m, and then you will come out onto a meadow to the north (right) of the lateral canal. Continue riding through the grass or push your bicycle along the edge of the forest, sticking to the lateral canal, until you reach the wooden bridge. Cross the canal and continue along the dirt road through the field towards the village of Kostanj. The dirt road ends at the T intersection 10, at the 26.7 km mark of the route, where you turn right. The road to the left leads to the Dubrava fish pond (private property). When riding through the village Kostanj, on the right hand side of the road you will see a private wooden structure, called "Štagalj" or the Barn. Thanks to the initiative of two enthusiasts and warm hosts, a local poet, Mrs. Mirjana Bobanac Sačer and Mr. Davorin Supek, this is a venue for cultural events and artist gatherings and socialising with neighbours from the village. Various exhibits, concerts, plays and poetry evenings are hosted in the Barn and its courtyard several times throughout the year, and you are certainly welcome to attend. Continue riding and enjoy the lovely vistas surrounding you. You will soon pass through Podlužan. At the Y intersection 11, at the 30.3 km mark, continue to the right in the direction of Dubrava. Upon returning to Dubrava, this route gives the option of continuing the ride in a figure eight, this time by heading south of Dubrava. In Dubrava  1 , again continue along Strossmayerova Street towards Brezje. This time, at the intersection with the mill  2 , turn left along the busier road towards the villages of Zvekovac and Gornji Marinkovac.

In Zvekovac is the Zvekovac Sport Airfield of the Dubrava Aero-club. In Gornji Marinkovac, at the T intersection 12, at the 36.2 km mark, turn left along the less busy road in the direction of Pehardovac. In Gornji Marinkovac, you will see the gravel road turnoff for the Varoški lug Zoological Reserve, managed by the Vrbovec Forestry District (visit to the Friends of Nature Trail possible for groups, by appointment only). After riding about 1 km from the intersection, a beautiful view opens up over the surrounding areas and fields. The road winds through the field, and in the distance, you will see the red and white tower of the Church of St. Margaret in Dubrava. The route continues through Pehardovac and continues through the field in the direction of Prnjarovac. In rainy weather, parts of the road can be muddy or flooded, so it will be necessary to occasionally push or carry your bicycle over short distances. After the picturesque ride through the fields, you will enter into Prnjarovac. At the T intersection 13, at the 40.2 km mark of the route, turn left northwards. The route continues down the road, past the well maintained mill building from 1922 (on the left hand side), a very harmonious structure, and you will soon pass by the quaint Chapel of St. Nicholas with its cemetery. Upon returning towards the centre of Dubrava, you will pass through several more idyllic villages through this predominantly livestock breeding area. You are sure to notice the specificity of this area, with large barns and stables for keeping machinery and animals dominating virtually all the yards.

This picturesque bicycle route through the wider area of the Dubrava municipality ends back at Trg Slobode  1  in Dubrava, after a pleasant 46 km ride of medium difficulty, full of unexpected impressions of beauty from this little known part of the Zagreb surroundings. We recommend you take a look at how Dubrava looked as a bishop’s fortress, in the sketches on display in the Klub D cafe, which is also open on weekends.

Technical description of the route

Cultural-historical, ethnology and natural points of interest:

Accommodation, hospitality facilities and sport and recreation

Service information

Vrbovec

Dubrava

Gradec

Farkaševac

Preseka

Rakovec

Sveti Ivan Žabno

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