Hiking in Zagreb: Bikčevićeva trail to Puntijarka

by croatiaweek
October 19, 2019
in Travel

On the way to Puntijarka

by Sofia B.

One of the great things about the Croatian capital Zagreb is the chance to enjoy in wonderful nature just minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Hiking on Medvednica mountain is a popular, all year round, activity which locals love to do. There are many trails which lead up to Sljeme peak and we recently tackled hiking trail 18, known as Bikčevićeva staza, named after prominent Croatian forester Tomislav Bikcevic (1915-1986).

The trail leads to to the Puntijarka mountain lodge and restaurant where you can get a delicious, well-deserved meal after your hike.

The start point we took for this trail was at Bliznec 68 where Restaurant Pilana Bliznec is located. There is parking right in front of the restaurant and also up the road.

Pilana restaurant

The trail starts over the little bridge right behind the restaurant. (You can also start the trail 1.5 km down the road where the main start point it.)

The bridge leading to the trail

The first part of trail to the rest stop ‘Njivice’ took us around 40 minutes and includes the steepest part of the trail.

This part of the track is quiet as most people use the main entrance

Amazing nature on a warm autumn day

There are some steep parts on the first half of the trail

Green, green, green…

And more green…

Hard to believe the city centre is a short distance away

The trail is very well marked so you can not get lost

After a drink and a few minutes chilling out taking in the surroundings at ‘Njivice’, we embarked on the second leg of the hike.

Njivice rest stop

The rest stop is relaxing

With it being a Saturday, there were quite a few people on the trail and the second half has a mixture of semi-steep, steep and flat parts. For inexperienced hikers like us, it was great and the trail is definitely one for novice hikers to tackle.

Flora

Impressive trees

The trail is for young and old

Nearing the top

This little shack is vacant

After around 50 minutes of ‘casual’ hiking from the rest stop ‘Njivice’, we finally reached Puntijarka with big appetites.

Drinking water

Puntijarka

There is a place to eat outside and in

Puntijarka restaurant offers a wide variety of meals like stuffed peppers, turkey with mlinci, bean stew, soups, chicken, salad, risotto etc at very reasonable prices. They also have great strudels with cheese, apple and cherry.