Sunger: Moorland, MTB Routes and Chapel

Sunger is a destination for travelers who want to combine cycling routes with a clearly defined natural area and a cultural-historical landmark. Two MTB routes pass through Sunger, and the Sungerski Lug bog is nearby. The village is also home to the Chapel of St. Cyril and Methodius.

MTB routes and cycling event

The “Šume pjevaju” MTB route runs via Mrkopalj, Poljička kosa, Polane, Sunger, Brestova Draga and Zagmajna, returning to Mrkopalj. Its total ascent is 690 meters. This figure applies to the route as a whole, not just the section near Sunger. The E7 MTB stage runs from Fužine to Delnice via Lokve, Lokvarka Cave, Brestova Draga, Mrkopalj and Sunger. It links lakes, forests and mountain villages. The entire stage alternates between paved roads, unpaved roads and natural trails.

The two routes offer different experiences: “Šume pjevaju” returns to Mrkopalj, while the E7 covers the route between Fužine and Delnice. This distinction can help you choose between a loop and a stage with two named endpoints when planning your trip. Another cycling highlight is the family event “Obiteljska rekreativna biciklijada Sunger.” It is designed as a communal outdoor leisure event focused on spending time in nature and an active lifestyle, and brings together participants of all ages.

Sungerski Lug nearby

Northwest of Sunger, Sungerski Lug lies in a small, high-altitude karst field at 770 to 790 meters above sea level. The bog is in an open forest hollow and covers 0.5 hectares. The surrounding moist fir and spruce forest contains about ten depressions with small acidophilous bogs and bog pools. Sungerski Lug is also a fir and hard-fern forest (Blechno-Abietum) at an altitude of 780 meters.

The most notable plant is the bog arum (Calla palustris): Sungerski Lug is its only known recent site in Croatia. An information board documented at the bog in 2009 warned visitors that entering the area could affect plant and animal life, as well as natural processes. Plan your visit so that you do not enter the bog itself.

Chapel and religious folk festival

The Chapel of St. Cyril and Methodius in Sunger is a branch church of the Mrkopalj parish and a 19th-century sacred building. Sunger is also associated with Cirilovo, a religious folk festival. Together, the chapel and festival offer two different insights into the village’s religious life: a specific building and a folk celebration.

The wider region: Općina Mrkopalj

For broader trip planning, Općina Mrkopalj provides a wider regional context. The area includes Bijele stijene and Samarske stijene, which were designated strict nature reserves in 1985. Check the current regulations before visiting. Mrkopalj is considered the cradle of Croatian skiing; the first Croatian ski jump, “Pod Vrhin,” was built there in 1934.

The history of skiing can also be explored in the wider destination of Općina Mrkopalj: the Historical and Ethnographic Collection of Mrkopalj opened in 2017 on the first floor of the cultural center. It contains more than 550 historical photographs and approximately 200 old objects. The exhibits include a document on the establishment of the parish in 1771, a 1933 design for the “Pod Vrhin” ski jump, and handmade skis, ski poles, snowshoes and a rescue sled. This offers a dedicated cultural perspective on the region’s skiing history, while the chapel and Cirilovo provide a specific connection to Sunger itself.

Discover more destinations: Brestova Draga, Mrkopalj, Begovo Razdolje, Tuk Vojni

View the wider travel overview: Općina Mrkopalj.