Mala Erpenja: Hiking Routes and Chapel

Mala Erpenja consists of scattered hamlets along the valley of the Erpenjščica, a tributary of the Horvatska. Marked trails and the Chapel of Majka Božja Bistrička offer different points of interest: the routes can be compared by distance and approximate duration; the chapel is a historic landmark in the centre.

Hiking Routes and Events

The 2026 edition of the Mala Erpenja Trek offered three distances: Jagodica bobica at 6–8 km, Šumska jagoda at 10–12 km and Divlja jagoda at 20–25 km. This gives visitors a choice of distinctly different distances.

Another marked route passes through Dubrovčan, Ravnice, Velika Erpenja and Tuheljske Toplice. On the return, it runs through Mala Erpenja towards Tuheljske Toplice and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. By contrast, the marked Round Tuheljske Toplice is a circular route; its return leg follows the ridge between Mala Erpenja and Kuharov jarak. The routes therefore differ both in layout and in the time required.

For the 2026 edition of the Erpenjska Pisanica Trail, the Društveni dom at Mala Erpenja 139A served as the registration, start and finish venue. If you are planning to attend a later edition, check its date and venue in advance: the information about the Društveni dom refers to the 2026 edition.

The 2026 Mala Erpenja Trek programme included children’s races over 300 and 500 metres, creative workshops, games, bouncy castles and face painting. There was also a tasting of fruit brandies from Vinarija Petrovečki. The Etno sekcija Kubure Male Erpenje prepared homemade cakes for the event. These details describe the programme for this edition and are not a commitment for future events.

Chapel and Local History

The Chapel of Majka Božja Bistrička stands in the centre of Mala Erpenja. The Šoštarić brothers had it built in 1915 as a votive offering after their return from the Galician Front. Its year of construction, dedication and reason for being built give the chapel a specific historical connection to the area. Together with the trails, it offers another way to experience Mala Erpenja: through the history of a building rather than distances and route layouts.

Additional Context: Općina Krapinske Toplice

In the wider destination of Općina Krapinske Toplice, the Aquae Vivae water park is located in Krapinske Toplice. It covers more than 18,000 m² and includes five indoor pools and one outdoor pool. Its more than 160 water attractions include waterfalls, geysers, underwater side massages and massage loungers. There is also a 4.5-metre-deep diving pool with professional equipment and diving instructors. BadlFest in Krapinske Toplice is a traditional annual festival; an edition also took place in 2026. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for the relevant edition.

The wider destination of Općina Krapinske Toplice also offers further historical points of interest. The Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene stands on Zašat Hill, east of the centre of Krapinske Toplice. It was built in 1874 on the site of an older wooden chapel. Investigations in the surrounding area uncovered finds that suggest a prehistoric hilltop settlement; its preliminary dating ranges from 1200 to 800 BC. This dating is provisional.

Discover more destinations: Krapinske Toplice.

View the wider travel overview: Općina Krapinske Toplice.