There are 4 educational trails on Medvednica:



1. Educational trail Miroslavec – geological educational trail. It is located on a mountain trail between Šestinski lagvić and Kraljičin zdenac.

Public institution "Nature Park Medvednica" has renovated geological educational panels on "Miroslavec" trail, which stretches from "Šestinski lagvić" to Kraljičin zdenac. Educational panels, which existed until now were devastated by atmospheric conditions and time, and somewhat by unconscientious visitors.



Complex geological history and Medvednica's structure are shown in a simple and understandable way with numerous illustrations, maps and rocks "in situ". During panel design, already recognizable visual identity of Nature Park Medvednica was followed.
The introductory panel shows geological map of Medvednica, ant the route of educational trail, and the remaining 6 panels next to the trail show geological periods, and rocks which can be seen along the way, like green shiest, clay shiest, deep sea limestone, and fossils which can be found in such rocks. Rock descriptions contain clear information about their age, structure and origin. Walk along the trail lasts about 60 minutes.



We invite you to take a walk down educational trail "Miroslavec", which count Miroslav Kulmer adapted for his wife's strolls on Medvednica.

Trail length: 2780 m
Duration of hike: 60 min.
Altitude: 450 – 580 m

2. Forest trail Bliznec – first educational trail in Croatia which is completely, in construction and content, adapted to persons with special needs. The trail follows Bliznec stream on Sljeme road, on the part of the road between a tur for cable – way and Bliznec mill (bistro «Šumarski gablec»).

11 educational panels are located on the trail which tell us about natural, cultural, and historical significances of this locality. Design of each educational panel followed the principles of modern interpretation with the goal of explaining the assigned theme in an attractive, understandable and simple way. Along 800 meters of the trail forest books are placed which contain the texts of educational panels in Braille alphabet, as well as resting places with benches. In time the educational trail got yet another attraction, the Way of the Cross, along with texts in Braille alphabet.

The value of this project was recognized by the whole Croatian public, and in 2002, for this accomplishment, Public Institution received an award from Ministry of Environment Protection, Physical Planning and Construction for achievement in the area of environment protection.

Trail length: 800 m
Duration of hike: 15 min.




3. 500 Horvat's steps

Public institution "Nature Park Medvednica" has renovated 500 Horvat's steps and resting place Srnec with financial help from Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development.



Steps are the work of Vladimir Horvat, great nature lover, mountain climber and caver, which single-handedly carved 500 steps in this, until than inaccessible but beautiful karst island on Medvednica, by which he enabled other mountaineers and visitors to enjoy it, as well. Besides that, he adapted cave Medvednica for visitations, discovered Dwarf's cave and a couple of abysses, and by the shore of a stream, in thick forest shade, he set a beautiful resting place with terraces, benches for visitors and one shed in case of bad weather, and called it Srnec. Horvat had several assistants, and one of them was Tomislav Jutrović which continued with renovation of the steps after Horvat's death in 1962 until 2001.





The works carried out by Public institution include immobilizing loose steps, renovated handrails and benches, resting place Srnec; stream Bistri jarek and access trails were cleaned of waste, old trumps and branches, and new benches and tables were placed at the resting place. As well, completely devastated Horvat's shelter was renovated. On mountain trail which leads to Horvat's steps ducational panels were placed, designed in accordance with recognizable visual identity of the Park, so that the visitors can learn something more about the area they are passing through. As well, old and damaged panels with cave and abyss designs were replaces, and old signposts and panels which were nailed to live trees were replaced with new ones and placed on posts or dry trees. On the parking lot at the entrance of the trail toward Horvat's steps a large panel was placed with general information on steps and Nature Park Medvednica. As promotional material a T-shirt was printed with an illustration of Horvat's steps, designed by artist Dubravko Mataković.








4. Educational trail Bistra

Educational trail Bistra introduces visitors to natural, geological, cultural and environmental characteristics of the northern part of Medvednica. The trail starts at Gornja Bistra, rises to Bistransko sedlo at elevation of 800 m, than goes downhill towards forestry Ostrica, and back to Orsic castle in Gornja Bistra. The tour lasts 6-8 hours, but it can be passed by in shorter stages and not all at once. The whole trail is marked with signposts and interpretative panels that warn and inform about certain natural phenomenon.


Making of Educational trail Bistra was financed by Holcim d.o.o. Hrvatska Company in three phases.

I phase 2006: Gornja Bistra, Bistra quary, Bistransko sedlo, with emphasize on natural characteristics such as: Bistra stream canyon, sulfur spring, geologic material - volcano rocks, natural forests, rich flora and fauna.

II phase 2007: Bistransko sedlo, ski slopes, French mines and forestry Ostrica, with emphasize on French mines of lead and silver from 19th century, ski slopes, picturesque beach forests and beach-fir forests, and the view of Zagorje landscape.

III phase 2008: Ostrica, Orsic castle, Gornja Bistra, with emphasize on natural beach forests and beach-fir forests, replica of "vuglenice" (an old way of coal-making), picturesque landscape of Hrvatsko zagorje.