Zumberak Nature Park

Zumberak and the Samobor hills were made a nature park in 1999, covering a landscape of steep wooded ridges, meadows, streams and small villages west of Zagreb against the Slovenian border. The area was settled in the sixteenth century by Uskoks - refugees from Ottoman-held territory brought in to hold the frontier - and their descendants included a Greek Catholic community whose churches stand in several villages. The hills have been losing population for a century and many hamlets are half empty, which is why the walking here is so quiet. The visitor centre at Slani Dol covers the geology, the fossils and the settlement history.

What you'll find

• A nature park since 1999 - wooded ridges, meadows and small villages.
• Uskok settlement from the 1500s - refugees brought in to hold the frontier.
• Greek Catholic churches - from that community, still standing.
• Half empty hamlets - a century of depopulation.

When to go

April to October. A full day.

Good to know

Public transport is almost non-existent and roads are narrow and winding. Services in the villages are very limited - carry food and water. Trail marking is variable in places. There is no single big attraction here.

Nearby

Samobor is east; the Slovenian border runs along the ridge.