Sveta Jana region and the Plešivica wine road
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

Situated only 30 km west of Zagreb, the picturesque, tame and wine growing hills of Plešivica and the Krašić-Slavetić wine-growing hills are an excellent destination for an excursion and for bicycling, with its beauty and uniqueness, the steep and sunny vineyards, the well known Plešivica amphitheatres upon which wine grapes have been grown and excellent wine produced for centuries. The numerous breathtaking vistas throughout the entire region will help you to forget all the steep uphill and demanding sections of these two routes while, on the other hand, providing you with reason enough to take short breaks as needed, to breathe in the beauty of the region and to rest from the ride. The view from Japetić, the highest peak of the Samobor hills, and the Žitnica field with its mountain hut, may invite you to do some hiking. The brave and more experienced may want to try out paragliding and hang-gliding, which are popular here, while bicyclists will likely want to turn off here and take the road to Japetić, where they can await the end of the day and sleep in the mountain hut before heading off the next morning on new adventures in exploring the Jaska and Žumberak regions. Whichever option you choose, you will certainly enjoy the diversity of the landscape, the wealth of cultural monuments, the preserved wooden architecture and the wealth of all the flavours of the autochthonous offerings of this region.

Route description

The route begins in Jastrebarsko at the parking lot near the Forestry Institute. Across the street from the parking lot is the city park, once the gardens of the castle of the Erdödy family. The park has a fish pond suitable for sport fishing.  1  The first kilometres of the ride confirm the promised beauty of the Jaska region, as the ride to Črnilovec leads through gently rolling hills with fertile fields and tree farms, beautiful in all seasons. Half a kilometre before entering into the town of Črnilovec, the route passes past the football field and continues to climb towards the centre of the town. The ascent is short and perfect as a warm-up.  2  From here, ride on towards Miladine along the slight incline of the paved road. The road to Miladine leads through the forest and offers a pleasant ride and protection from the hot summer sun. The town of Miladine marks the 6th kilometre from the route starting point. Turn left at the fork in the road at Miladine, as the right hand road leads downhill to Dolanski Jarak. Upon entering Miladine, the short uphill section will be over and you can view the traditional homes. On this part of the route, the right hand side of the road opens to show a breathtaking vista of Plešivica and the vineyard filled hills. After a 1 km ride from Miladine, you will arrive at Srednjak to point  3 . In the town of Belčić, turn right at point  4 . In Draga Svetojanska, 10 km from the starting point, is the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity, and you have reached point  5 . Here pay attention to the possibility of turning off route  B  through Draga Svetojanska, along the ruins of the old city of Turanj left on the hill along the road, to Jarušje or along the village Grabarak to Japetić (870 m).

Turning off of route  B  also offers the possibility of connecting these two routes with the routes through the Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje Nature Park. After a short climb (400 m), you will enter into Gorica Svetojanska  6 . The town is better known as Sveta Jana, as the patron saint of the parish is St. Anne. The church of the same name is situated in the centre of the town, which also has a fire station, shops and taverns, and the town is particularly festive on the day of St. Anne on 26 July. As you pass along the elementary school, stop and take a look at the ethnography collection of the Sveta Jana region, on display in the school building. At the fork in the road for Malunje, turn right and head uphill, following the signs for Šumski dvor. After 200 m, there is another intersection at point  7 . The Šumski dvor restaurant, in the grounds of the Erdödy family estate, is an excellent place for rest and refreshment, and is also a viewing point with splendid views of the entire region. In Ivančiće Gornje, there are two wells with drinking water which date back to the early 20th century. Continue riding on towards Prodin Dol. 12.2 km from the starting point, you will arrive at point  8 . The route continues with a steep climb 300 m in length. What comes up must also come down! After the climb is a downhill section, this time to Kupeć Dol. After Kupeć Dol, you will pass by the water spring and the chapel next to it, and after 100 m, you will come upon a T intersection. At the intersection, continue straight. To the right are two gravel roads, one of which leads to Klet Jana about 800 m away.

The route continues along demanding terrain, with a well established rhythm of climbs and descents, so be prepared to go up and down some more. 200 m from the final intersection on the uphill section is a Y intersection, stay to the left and continue riding towards the town of Balije. At Balije is a Y intersection with a chapel. Head to the right and continue downhill.  9  200 m from the curve is another right curve which ends in a bridge. Next to the bridge at the T intersection, the route continues left in the direction of Vranov Dol. In the centre of the town, head right at the Y intersection, and begin the steep climb which is 300 m in length. The route continues on towards the centre of Prilipje, where there is a shop. From Prilipje, head straight on towards Plešivica, 16.6 km from the starting point. 10 In the centre of Plešivica are a chapel and firehouse, and the road signs will lead you, at your liking, to one of the wineries along the wine road. Several hundred metres along the road towards Samobor is the Ivančići restaurant, a perfect place to rest and recharge, and also is a fantastic viewing point. Above the restaurant is the Church of St. George, and the restaurant terrace offers a lovely view of the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and its graveyard. 300 m from the intersection at Plešivica, when you turn downhill Mlečenici, you will arrive at two serpentines which require special attention and that you adjust your speed to the road conditions. The road continues along the ridge of the hills, and offers spectacular views of the surrounding areas. At 19.1 km from the starting point, you will arrive at point 11. The turnoff is easy to recognize due to the abundant hiking trail markers, and from this point on the route, you will also begin to follow the hiking markers. 500 m from the turnoff is a Y intersection, take the right road and following the trail markers.

A gravel road begins after 100 m, and you will soon reach a Y intersection where you will take the left road following the trail markers. Pass by the world renowned moto cross trail at Mladina. 21.6 km from the starting point, you will arrive at a Y intersection where the gravel ends and paved road begins. Take the right road towards Jastrebarsko, while the left road heads towards Breznik Plešivički. 200 m further, you will reach yet another Y intersection, and you will see a triangle of green pine woods 12. Continue along to the Y intersection which is followed by a short climb. At this intersection, take the left paved road towards Jastrebarsko. At the T intersection is point 13. Continue on and you will shortly arrive at point 14. You have now entered Jastrebarsko, ride on through the town centre, pass by the left side of the parish Church of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the town. On the right side is a sign and turnoff for Sveta Jana, continue on straight and you will soon arrive at point 15 and the route starting point.

Technical description of the route

Cultural-historical values along the route

Accommodation and hospitality facilities

Sport and recreation:

Service information

Authors: Lidija Mišćin, Robert Rigo
Published: May 2005.

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