Municipality of Stubičke Toplice: Hiking Trails, Nature and History

The hiking trails in the Municipality of Stubičke Toplice range from the historic educational trail in Kamenjak Forest to longer routes towards Medvednica. Chapels, memorial sites and protected trees give the trails additional themes; mineral water springs and a gastronomic event add to the picture of the municipality. When planning your trip, you can choose between natural history, cultural history and a longer summit route. If you are planning a hotel stay, arrange your days around the places you want to visit and your preferred walking time frame.

Educational Trails and Hiking Routes

The historic “Kamenjak” educational trail is 1,200 metres long and has an elevation difference of 87 metres. Along the trail, there are rest areas and information boards about local trees, plants and animal species. In Kamenjak Forest, the pedunculate oak “Galženjak”, a protected natural monument, stands beside the educational trail. The trail’s length, rest areas and nature themes shape the character of this route.

The “Kapelščak” educational and recreational trail starts in Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park and climbs towards the viewpoint and the Chapel of St Catherine. It is two kilometres long; at a leisurely walking pace, the route takes about 45 minutes. There are information boards, eco-messages, wooden benches and waste bins along the trail. Check current trail conditions and the state of the facilities before setting out.

Those planning a longer hike will find two routes to Medvednica: Trail 38 leads from Stubičke Toplice to Main Hiking Trail 1 on the ridge. Trail 39 runs from the Zagorje side via Pila to the summit of Medvednica, Sljeme, and has two access points. The full route on foot from Stubičke Toplice to Sljeme is estimated to take about four hours. Walking time may vary depending on pace and trail conditions; check the latest conditions in advance.

Chapels, Memorial Sites and Architectural History

The Chapel of St Catherine was built and consecrated in 1814. It is a rare example of early Classicism. On Kapelščak, a memorial plaque beside the chapel commemorates the last battle of the 1573 Peasants’ Revolt. Architectural history and the memory of a specific historical event stand side by side here.

The Horvatove stube consist of 500 stone steps, built single-handedly by Vladimir Horvat between 1946 and 1953. At the top of the steps stands a yew tree, protected as a natural monument and considered one of the oldest specimens of its kind in Croatia. This place thus brings together a precisely dated structure and a protected tree.

The Betlehemska spilja is located on the grounds of the parish church of St Catherine. Its permanent exhibition includes nativity scenes and the Tomb of Christ. The site is the work of sculptor Izidor Popijač Bednjanski and adds a distinctive artistic theme to the historic chapels and memorial sites.

Mineral Springs and Gastronomic Tradition

Four mineral water springs in Stubičke Toplice are hyperthermal and reach temperatures of up to 69.7 °C. Their maximum temperature makes the springs a distinctive geological feature of the municipality. The “Gljivarenje v Stubakima” event also promotes Zagorje’s gastronomic tradition. Together with the hiking trails and historic sites, it offers another perspective on the local themes you can take into account when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Stubičke Toplice, Strmec Stubički, Municipality of Zagorska Sela, Municipality of Zlatar, Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće, Municipality of Zabok, Municipality of Marija Bistrica, Municipality of Novi Golubovec.

For the broader travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.