Žarovnica: Hiking, Views and Cultural Heritage

Žarovnica brings together hiking to Ravna Gora, scenic views, and a chapter in the history of sacred art. The marked trail and its viewpoints provide practical information for planning your hikes; the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows offers a historical highlight. Regional dishes at the JAK and Nec restaurants round out the picture of the town.

Hiking and Views at Ravna Gora

The marked, easy Žarovnica–Ravna Gora (Babice) hiking trail takes 1 hour 30 minutes to walk and has an elevation difference of 454 m. It leads through the forest to the rocky Babice section, which is slippery when wet. The easy rating and the warning about the slippery stretch concern different aspects of the hike: when planning, consider both the route and trail conditions in the rain.

A turnoff from the hiking trail leads to the Glažareva pećina viewpoint. The Žarovnica–Ravna Gora trail also reaches the Balkon viewpoint. From there, you can see the Bednja Valley, Trakošćan, and the Zagorje Mountains. Balkon is the viewpoint for this named landscape vista; Glažareva pećina is another destination reached via a turnoff.

The 1 hour 30 minutes walking time applies to the named hiking trail. The Ravna Gora area is also accessible via forest roads, paths, and marked hiking trails. There are two paragliding launch sites, where national and world championships are frequently held. In addition to the marked walking trail, Ravna Gora therefore offers other ways to access the area, as well as paragliding as a separate activity.

The Chapel and the History of Sacred Art

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows in Žarovnica stands on Jelenec Hill above Kamenica. After the former chapel was demolished in 1742, construction of the present one began. In 1751, Ivan Krstitelj Ranger painted the sacristy; a sacristy altar by a Pauline master from Lepoglava was also made there in 1751. The two works date from the same year but have different creators: Ranger painted the interior, while the Pauline master made the altar.

Accommodation and Regional Cuisine

The Filićev dom mountain lodge on Ravna Gora serves food and drinks to hikers and other day-trippers. It has 70 beds in 16 rooms. The lodge includes a restaurant with a common room, kitchen, and toilet, as well as an outdoor terrace with 200 seats. There are also children’s playgrounds and facilities for football and basketball. Since facilities may change when the lodge changes operators, check current offerings before your visit.

In Žarovnica, the JAK and Nec restaurants serve traditional regional food and drinks. The specialties mentioned include zagorski štruklji and meso iz banjice; homemade schnapps and wine are also available. The food and drinks offer specific regional examples to help you plan your meals, without limiting you to just one type of cuisine.

More Reasons to Visit

The third Voodoostock Festival took place at Voodoo Lake in Žarovnica in June 2025. If a festival is the reason for your trip, check the dates of any future edition separately.

Discover more destinations: Lepoglava, Donja Višnjica.

Go to the main travel overview: Općina Lepoglava.