The best hiking routes in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County divides its walking terrain between dense, elevated forests and the lower, Mediterranean coastal hinterland. In Nacionalni park Risnjak, the landscape is defined by steep limestone peaks, deep sinkholes, and dark pine forests that reflect the cold, damp climate of the Gorski Kotar highlands. Underfoot, walkers will encounter sharp karst rocks, exposed tree roots, and damp leaf litter on steep, shaded forest paths.

In contrast, Značajni krajobraz Lisina offers a gentler, lower-altitude woodland experience on the slopes of the Učka mountain range. The trails here wind through beech forests that are less rugged than the high crags of Risnjak, with paths consisting of packed earth and loose limestone gravel. In October, the beech canopy in Lisina turns a deep copper, making the forest floor bright even on overcast days.

This region is not a place for flat, easy strolls or open, grassy meadows. Walkers should expect constant elevation changes, enclosed forest canopies that limit distant views, and rough, uneven limestone underfoot that requires sturdy footwear. While the well-marked trails near the main entrances of Nacionalni park Risnjak see regular foot traffic, the deeper paths of Značajni krajobraz Lisina are often quieter.