WALKING TRAILS

IN THE PROTECTED LANDSCAPE OF BARAĆ CAVES

 

 

 

All walkers, recreationists, nature lovers and Nordic walkers are bound to enjoy the three newly landscaped and marked walking trails in the Protected Landscape of Barać Caves. The walking trails have been landscaped by Public Institution Barać Caves – Protected Areas Management In the Municipality of Rakovica, and all three trails are located within the protected area.

The trails are circular, named after protected large carnivores that live in the area of the protected landscape – wolf, lynx and bear, and special markings in the shape of wolf, lynx or bear paws have been made accordingly. . The trails are additionally marked with signposts at important intersections, and all of them start and finish at the Barać Caves excursion site. .

 

1,2 km – The Wolf Trail  is the shortest, and the tour takes between 20-30 minutes (1,2 km). It is suitable for beginner walkers.

Also, it is a very convenient option for a short walk while, for example, waiting for a tour of the Upper Barać Cave. When walking along the Wolf Trail, follow the orange markings on the trees or wolf paws.

Download GPX route file: Vučja staza-1.2-Volf trail

 


3,1 km– The Lynx Trail is 3.1 km long, and the estimated duration of the walk is between 1 and 1 and a half hours which makes it ideal for a pleasant family walk. When walking along Lynx Trail, follow the blue markings on the trees or lynx paws.

Download GPX route file : Risja staza-3,1-Lynx trail

 

 


7,5 km– The Bear Trail is designed for challenging walkers who have at least 3 to 4 hours at their disposal, as it is 7.5 km long. In return, the Bear Trail will treat you to some of the most beautiful look-out points, forest springs, streams and numerous caves. When walking along the Bear Trail, follow the red markings on the trees or bear paws.

Download GPX route file: Medvjeđa staza-7,5-Bear trail

 

 

 

Take a look at a brief overview of our trails:

 

 

 

REMARKS:

  • Make sure to inform yourself about the weather conditions before starting off.
  • Choose a trail that suits your level of physical fitness, bring adequate footwear and clothing and plenty of water.
  • Please note that, in some parts of the forest, there is no cell phone signal. Also, do not forget to bring your medicines with you if you need them.
  • We recommend that you go to the forest in pairs, not alone.
  • Be aware that there are wild animals in the forest.

 

The new trails pass through a larger complex of mixed deciduous forest. The ecological importance of forests is manifold: in summer, they increase the humidity of the air, and prevent changes in the microclimate of a certain area, protect settlements from polluted air, strong wind and noise, and retain large amounts of dust. In addition, forests offer a home to a large number of plant and animal species. The new trails will also cross grasslands in one part. These are dry and semi-dry grasslands that represent important habitats for many rare and endangered plant and animal species. Due to the abandonment of villages and traditional ways of farming, many mountain grasslands are disappearing due to the gradual overgrowth of woody and shrub species from nearby forests, and they are among the most endangered ecosystems in Croatia. Due to the use of the trails, the grasslands will be mowed regularly and thus a valuable habitat will be preserved, which is one of the most important goals of the management of the protected landscape of the Barać Caves.

Download the map of walking trails via the link: Map of Walking Trails

 

Read the recommendations for a possible encounter with animals below:

Animals feel threatened when they are startled. Make louder noises while moving and converse loudly to alert them to your presence. They are bound to get out of your way long before you approach them. This way, you will safely rule out unwanted encounters with wild beasts.
Avoid staying in the woods late in the evening, at night or early in the morning, when the animals are most active, which is especially true for the mating season in the months of May and June. Follow the marked trails and paths through the forest.
If you spot an animal, don’t try to approach it. This particularly applies if you encounter them on their feeding grounds.
Meeting a female leading young can be especially dangerous. If you see such a family in time, try to walk away imperceptibly the way you came. Never approach young animals, and do not try to catch them by any means. The female will surely attack if she feels that her young are in danger. Young orphan bears who lost their mothers early can be dangerous. These bears are not afraid of humans and are therefore potentially dangerous.
Do not take your dog to a bear habitat. While running away from a bear, your pet will lead the bear straight to you.
If you encounter a bear up close, try to keep calm and cool and don’t run away. If a bear is leaning on its hind legs, this does not mean it is preparing to attack – it just wants to get a better look at you because its vision is less developed. Avoid any actions that could make the bear feel threatened (throwing stones, yelling…) as there is a high probability that it will attack you. Give the bear room to retreat.
If it’s impossible to avoid a bear attack, do not tackle the bear by any means. Throw yourself on the ground on your stomach and protect your head with your arms crossed.

And once again, remember: Animals feel threatened when they are startled. Make louder noises while moving and converse loudly to alert them to your presence. They are bound to get out of your way long before you approach them. This way, you will safely rule out unwanted encounters with wild beasts.