Delnice

General information a place in the Gorski kotar region at the altitude of 696 m. The economy is based on wood processing. The mild mountain climate and natural phenomena (Hajdova hiza, Drgomalj and Petehovac), as well as modern sports facilities favored the development of Delnice into the tourist center of the Gorski kotar region. Almost a century old tradition of excursion, health and sports tourism, as well as other types of tourism, along with natural phenomena and favorable climate make Delnice the center of the Gorski kotar region. Since Delnice can be reached in less than an hour from Rijeka and other destinations on Kvarner Riviera, the place is ideal for one-day trips, short visits to the peaks of Gorski kotar (Drgomalj, Petehovac), as well as longer stays.
Nowadays, Delnice has a varied offer: hotels, sports facilities, hunting grounds. At the foot of Japlenski Peak, you will find sports facilities (soccer, basketball, bowling and boccia), as well as two excellent ski jumps. Highlights of the Place: The restaurants in Delnice are known for the traditional specialties of Gorski kotar cuisine, primarily game dishes. Hunting cabins can be rented. Risnjak National Park lies in the vicinity of Delnice. We recommend: [b] Risnjak National Park [/b]
Risnjak is a wooded mountain massif not far from the city of Rijeka, named after the Croatian word for lynx, its most popular inhabitant. The park lies at an altitude of 300 to 1500 meters, and due to its location at the junction of the Alps and the Dinarides, as well as central Europe and the Mediterranean, almost all of the forest types from these areas, as well as numerous flora and fauna species can be found there.
Particularly important animals are the brown bear, lynx, wildcat, chamois, deer and eagle. The beauties of the woods, Karst phenomena, attractive sources (the National Park includes the source of the Kupa River) and magnificent views attract numerous mountaineers and nature enthusiasts to Risnjak.
When visiting Risnjak National Park, Leska Educational Trail is definitely a must – being one of the first of its type in Croatia, easily accessible from the direction of Crni Lug. It begins only a short walk west of the Park Administration building. It has been designed in a way allowing every visitor to explore it independently. A whole range of breathtaking natural and cultural details on a 4.5 km long trail presents an excellent opportunity to explore this national park.

[b]Zeleni Vir protected area and Vražji prolaz canyon[/b]
Zeleni Vir is a protected natural area by Skrad, where Zeleni Vir source, Vražji prolaz canyon and Muževa Hiža cave are located.
When looking at Zeleni Vir, one gets the impression of standing in front of a temple from ancient times. Two mountain brooks fall down a 70 m high rock, in front of the cave opening, in which a source is located. The source water forms a small lake, greenish at first sight, yet crystal clear, after which the source was named. There is also a third brook that flows out of the cave, that forms a foamy waterfall and flowing by the trail reaches the hydro power plant.
If we head right from the mountain lodge, the trail leads over two small bridges and does not promise much, however, climbs over the steep slopes and various types of bridges soon begin. The trail is cut into the rocks high above the brook.
The brook drops in the abyss under the small bridge, while the frothy water passing over the rocks creates a deafening roar. The rocks become increasingly steep and it looks as if they would completely meet and close the trail. The sky becomes almost invisible in this gallery that the water has formed over the course of thousands of years and one instinctively grabs on to the bridge railing. Afterwards, the canyon gradually grows wider and the trail leads towards Muževa Hiža Cave.
At the exit from Vražji prolaz, there is a spacious opening in the rock. That is Muževa Hižica. Stronger lighting is necessary for a detailed visit. A subterranean corridor leads to a chamber with a small lake. Cave explorers have found here the rarest example of our fauna - blind cave salamander. The air and water temperatures amount to approx. 8°C. It is recommended to join visits to Zeleni Vir, Vražji Prolaz and Muževa Hižica cave. For the entire visit, you need a maximum of 3 hours on foot, and you can also be accompanied by a guide.

[b]Vrelo Cave in Fužine, Lake Bajer and ranch[/b]
Located 3 km from the center of Fužine. The total length of all of the cave corridors amounts to 300 m, while when sightseeing you can visit some 250 m. At the bottom of the cave there is a source and a brook that springs here, flows through the cave and ends in Lake Bajer. Lake Bajer was formed in the sunken valley of Ličanka. The dam on Lepenica has formed the lake of the same name.
Full-blooded horses have been bred on the farm since 1983. Young horses at the age of two are taken to Zagreb hippodrome, where they are ridden and prepared for races. They stay there until the age of four, when the selection process takes place, some go back to the farm for breeding, some are used for sports, free time and tourism, while the rest is sold on the market. Besides at the hippodrome, the horses are tested in distance riding, from 200 to 500 km. Some of the horses take part in exhibitions all over the country (Gudovac, Sunja, Zagreb and so on).

[b]Popovićev mlin Mill in Delnice[/b]
Hidden from chance visitors, the Mihelčić family mill, known as “Popovićev mlin”, has been located in the oldest and main street in Delnice for the last 83 years. Josip and Francika Mihelčić had it built after having retuned after many years of work in the United States to their place of origin. The construction of the electric mill began in 1924. With the help of several inhabitants of Delnice, it was built by two master builders from Ganz Danubius company from Budapest, from where all of the parts of the mill were delivered. Construction was completed in 1925 when the mill was opened. It should be noted that Delnice was completely electrified only in November of 1927, which bears witness to the importance of the mill and several other business and industrial buildings in the area of Delnice.
The inhabitants of Delnice, as well as the entire region of Gorski Kotar, used the services of the mill. Two grinding lines were used in the mill itself. One was operated by a stone mill, while the other (more modern) by steel rollers. Both mills lie in the ground floor of the building, while the screening and drying system are located in the loft area. All the devices (mills, elevators, screens, electric motor, leather power belts…) are preserved in their original forms.

[b] Lokvarka Cave – Croatia’s largest lit cave[/b]
Discovered in 1912. Since 1935, when it was electrified, and later when steel stairs were installed, the cave has become an increasingly important element of the tourist offer of Lokve. Due to its unique beauty, diversity and richness in cave ornaments, it has been proclaimed a nature monument. Today, it is one of the largest caves in Croatia, suitable for sightseeing. Accompanied by a guide, tourists can visit four galleries, while the others have yet to be explored and represent a real challenge for speleologists and other adventure lovers.
The temperature in the cave is always from 6.5°-8°C, which makes a visit in summer a real pleasure. In the immediate vicinity of Lokve, there are several caves interesting for tourists, primarily Bukovac cave and Medvjeđa špilja cave.
Evidence of Stone Age man has been found in Bukovac, its age estimated at about 40.000 years. Medvjeđa špilja cave was named after the bears who lived in it and whose bones have been found in the cave.

[b] Golubinjak Park Forest[/b]
Golubinjak Park Forest, an exceptional gift of nature, offers you an opportunity to relax your body and soul in the shade of its century-old forest. The well-kept hiking trails will take you to the “Forest Queen” - a giant fir-tree over 250 years old or to “Paklena vrata” cave opening. Moreover, you can take a walk to Ledena and Golubinja cave. In Ledena špilja cave, snow and ice can often be found even during summer, while Golubinja špilja cave was named after pigeons that used to live there. The park forest can be visited with a guide during summer. Other information: 1.050 m
Ski region: Gorski Kotar
Information on Petehovac ski resort: approx. 500 m of ski trails, approx. 100 m sleigh trail, 1 ski lift. Possibility of night skiing.
No snow canons. Access Access: Zagreb – direction of Rijeka – Delnice exit.
Distance: Zagreb 122 km, Rijeka 52 km.