Zumberak-Samoborsko Nature Park

A protected highland west of Zagreb along the Slovenian border, dotted with abandoned military frontier villages, forest paths and the country’s highest peak, Sveta Gera, on the edge of the range.

Zumberak-Samoborsko Nature Park sits in Central Croatia, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the nature park is the reason most people stop.

Fewer crowds mean fewer facilities, so bring water and snacks.

Practical info

• Entry: check the official source before you travel. Prices and opening hours change, and some spots close entirely out of season.
• How to get there: Tap the map for the route. Croatian town parking is mostly paid and marked with blue P signs; if your trip involves an island, build buffer time in for the ferry.

Best time to visit

Plan Zumberak-Samoborsko Nature Park for May to October, with June and September the quietest warm months. July and August bring the crowds and the heat; winter is cheaper and handsomer than people expect, especially in the inland cities.

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