The picturesque western foothills of Medvednica Nature Park
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 1:25000) 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.

Introduction

Bicycle riding throughout the Zaprešić region is a true pleasure. The landscape is dappled with green hills and villages with well preserved autochthonous wooden houses. Meanwhile, this region is interesting to many as it opens up the possibility to explore the beautiful Baroque churches and chapels strewn about the steep hills, and virtually every one is accessible by small road or path, which is ideal for bicyclists. Looking back to the 18th and 19th centuries in this region and the dense concentration of nobility which withdrew before the Turkish attacks into this protected area “za gorom” (meaning behind the mountain), or by Medvednica, better known as Croatian Zagorje, exploring by bicycle permits us to enjoy the large number of Baroque castles and manors. Many have unfortunately been abandoned; however, they are still interesting enough to take us back in our thoughts to the times when the nobles lived here in all their luxury. The municipalities of Bistra and Jakovlje are situated very near to Medvednica, today a nature park. Perhaps through their vicinity and ties, and due to their natural beauty and conservation, they have experienced development of rural, sports, recreation, mountain and winter tourism.

Route description

The route begins in Ivanec in the parking lot near the Church of St. Mary the Helper  1 , under the Ivanec stone quarry. Take the main road Zaprešić – Ivanec – Jablanovec - Bistra, with the restaurant "Jezera" on the right hand side of the road, about 2.2 km from the route starting point. At Jablanovec turn right off the main road by the chapel in the centre of the settlement, 4.4 km from the route starting point  2 . 50 m after the turnoff at the intersection of three roads, take the far left road. To the right are hiking signs for Kameni Svati and the mountain hut of the same name at 482 m above sea level (about a 1 hour hike), the loveliest natural viewing point from Medvednica overlooking Zaprešić, Hrvatsko Zagorje and the Samobor and Žumberak mountains. On clear days, you can see Triglav Mountain and the Kamnik Alps in Slovenia. At the same intersection, the right road leads towards the Kameni Svati and on further along Zakičnica to Ponikve and bicycle trail  3  of the Medvednica Nature Park, which later joins onto the transversal bicycle trail 1 which runs along the entire length of Medvednica and enables you to descend at Gornji Stenjevac and return to Zagreb along the Glavica mountain hut and the Veternica cave.

Our route through Zagreb County leads you on to the intersection of Ljudevita Gaja Street, where you will turn left. Continue right along Selska Street. At the intersection of four roads, continue straight on through the intersection and pass over the bridge.  3  At the intersection near the graveyard, the route leads you on straight along the road for Gornja Bistra. At this site is the  A  turnoff from the red route, and we recommend you take the steep uphill climb to the right along Crkvena Street to the Church of St. Nicholas at Poljanica Bistranska (dating back to 1631) – a unique viewing point of the Zaprešić region. At the intersection at Podgorska Street, continue straight along the small bridge.  4  At the 8.4 km point from the starting point, about 100 m before the STOP sign and the exit onto the main road, turn right and continue straight along. About 900 m on, you will pass through Strmečka Street. At the small red house, turn left. At the next intersection, turn left again.  5  On Vinogradarska Street, at the intersection of four streets, turn right and continue riding along towards the Oršić castle in Gornja Bistra. To the right, you will see a beautiful view of the northern slopes of the Medvednica Nature Park and the TV tower at the top of Sljeme Mountain (1033 m).  6  After about 1 km of riding from the right turn at Vinogradarska Street, turn left onto the gravel road (see the house with the sign "Tratinčica"). Ride along this road with many well preserved wooden houses of the traditional architecture of this region. You will arrive at the  B  turnoff from the red route at the road which leads straight to the Oršić castle at Gornja Bistra. This municipality is situated only 24 km from Zagreb, and is primarily oriented along the natural features of the land, as the Medvednica Nature Park covers one third of the surface area of the municipality in its eastern part. In this region, wine making, fruit growing, agriculture and cattle breeding are well developed, as is small and medium business. The municipality celebrates its day on the Day of St. Nicholas (December, 6th), when the atmosphere in the municipality is particularly joyous. Next to the castle, you will see the marked mountain trail 42 towards Oštrica, the French mines and the foothills with Horvat's 500 stairs (this excursion site was constructed in 1946 by Zagreb mountaineer Vladimir Horvat and his associates). If you have the time and will to extend your ride by about 2 hours, then head off in this direction and do some exploring. At the same place in Gornja Bistra is the beginning of bicycle route 5 of Medvednica Nature Park, from the end of Sljemenska Street past the quarry through the Bistra Creek canyon to Rasuha and Bistransko sedlo (meaning mountain saddle).

For the continuation of the route through the County, turn left along the paved road near the castle, and 20 m after the electrical power station, turn right onto the gravel road that runs along the castle fence. You are now in front of the main entrance to the Oršić castle, again on paved road and turn left onto Ribnička Street. At the intersection of the two streets, continue straight. You will ride along about 500 m of gravel road.  7  At the intersection of the gravel road and the main road, turn right in the direction of Kraljev Vrh. After 2 kilometres, you will pass by the football field on the left hand side of the road, while to the right are houses and the lanes of Turistička Street. Take Turistička Street and arrive at the intersection with the crucifix  8  where turning right off of the red route onto the  C  turnoff will lead you about 1.5 km to the Church of the Holy Three Kings in Kraljev Vrh – a fantastic viewing point of the entire region. At the intersection, turn right towards the church, while the left road heads towards Stubičke Toplice and Donja Stubica (can be connected to the circular bicycle route "Gupčevim krajem" – 35 km – meaning Through the Matija Gubec region). On the right hand side of the road is a shop. At the intersection near the well, turn left towards the church. In the centre of Kraljev Vrh, you can find refreshment and rest in one of the local bistros. The well also bears the signs for the marked hiking trail 49 towards Krumpirišta and the peak of Sljeme Mountain. After a visit to Kraljev Vrh, return back to the intersection with the crucifix and turn right, heading down a gentle downhill section on the road towards Jakovlje. On the right hand side of the road is the Kraljev Vrh tennis centre, with a bistro suitable for rest and refreshment. After the entrance sign for Jakovlje at the 18.4 km mark of the route, turn left off the main road  9  at the bus stop onto the gravel road towards the castle at Jakovlje, where the paved road continues.

The municipality of Jakovlje is situated 28 km from Zagreb, and is one of the most developed in the Zaprešić region. Not far from the castle along the main road is the MB petrol station. From the castle, continue straight along the main road Jakovlje – Donja Bistra and be cautious, as this road can have a lot of traffic. At one of the next intersections, pay attention to the diskont pića (discount shop for drinks) situated in the well preserved traditional home on the left hand side of the road. Continue straight along. After the uphill section, the road offers a lovely view of Medvednica, the Church of St. Nicholas (turnoff onto route  A ), the Kameni Svati, Samobor mountains and the entire Zaprešić region. 10 At the intersection, turn right off the main road Jakovlje – Donja Bistra. After 900 m of gravel road, you will come onto paved road. Continue straight along the creek and past the yellow bridge which stays to your right, as well as the lovely homes and their gardens. Caution is required at the intersection where you will again turn right onto the main road Jakovlje – Novaki Bistranski – Ivanec. In the settlement Bukovje Bistransko, there is a petrol station on the left hand side of the road. In the centre of Novaki Bistranski, continue straight along the road at the intersection. To the left of the road is the Chapel of St. Roc. Nearby is the shop and cafe "Laci". After 30.4 km of riding along this circular bicycle route, you will again reach the starting point at the parking lot under the Ivanec stone quarry.

Technical description of the route

Accommodation and hospitality facilities

Service information

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