Stage E4: Brod na Kupi – Tršće

The mountain bike transversal from Brod na Kupi to Tršće takes you upstream of the Kupa River, where more than 100 species of butterflies live because of their exceptional ecological preservation and biodiversity. The entire Kupa Valley is often referred to as the Butterfly Valley. The road takes you along the right bank of the Kupa River to the picturesque hamlets of Kuželj, Gašparci, Turke, and numerous rapids and beaches may incline you to refresh yourself in the river. From the village of Hrvatsko to the source of Kupa there is a promenade, and in Kupari there is a visitor center ‘The birthplace of the Kupa River’. At the end of the road to Tršće you arrive at Zamost where you can see the still active water mill and sawmill of the river Gerovčica or continue along the road (P 2) towards Mali Lug.

The transverse road will lead you along the Čabranka River upflow first to the Plešce village. You must not miss to see Palčava šiša – a house owned by the Čop family from 1856 in which the old trade customs with original equipment have been preserved, as well as an arched groundfloor rooms with tavern, whilst on the upper floor is the old office, a saloon with rich equipment and decorations from 1880s and bedrooms. From Plešca we continue upflow along Čabranka River to reach Čabar – one of the oldest towns in Gorski kotar that is linked to Crusaders who passed across this area. The development of this area is connected to Petar Zrinski who in 1651 built in Čabar an iron smeltery. The most famous facility in Čabar is the Zrinski Castle from 16th century and only 700 m distant from the castle is the spring of Čabranka River that you must visit.

After riding on a relatively plain road from the centre of Čabar begins a more demanding rise (4 km) until Parg. Riding up through serpentines towards one of the coldest places during winter in Croatia, you will leave the Kupa valley behind your shoulders as well as one of the most beautiful belvederes of that area – Tropetarska stijena rock reachable through the homonymous instructive trail. In Parg you will reach the crossroads with the Tršće – Prezid road on which you turn left and after 3.5 km reach the centre of Tršće. But, if you want to ride another few kilometres and discover more attractions of the Čabar area, in Parg turn right towards Prezid and after 4 km you will reach Goat’s peak where you turn left towards Milan’s Peak – an extraordinary landscape with hunting lodge and fenced area for deers. From Milan’s peak you can reach Tršće through the forest trail (P1).