Wikiloc | Podevčevo - Čevo - Grebengrad - Veliki Lubenjak

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Photo ofPodevčevo - Čevo - Grebengrad - Veliki Lubenjak - Podevčevo (10/2022)

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Blackbirds

with 1 trail buddy

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Trail stats

Distance: 10.6 mi
Elevation gain: 2,523 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 2,523 ft
Max elevation: 1,941 ft
TrailRank: 53
Min elevation: 623 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 5 hours 2 minutes
Time: 6 hours 46 minutes
Coordinates: 3056
Uploaded: October 16, 2022
Recorded: October 2022

2 Claps

near Podevčevo, Varaždinska (Hrvatska)

Viewed 174 times, downloaded 6 times

Trail photos

Itinerary description

Physical difficulty: 2/5
Technical difficulty: 1/5

Note #1: At Intersection #2 you'll be presented by 2 routes to the 1st peak Čevo - the easier ("lakši")and slightly longer, and the harder ("teži") and slightly shorter. Go on the harder route (the opposite of what we did), as otherwise you will miss one of the only two viewpoints on this trail ("Mali Čevo", aka eng. Little Čevo) AND you will have to backtrack for 10 minutes to continue the trail.

Note #2: Both peaks on this trail are unremarkable and offer no view. The two viewpoints are Balkon (eng. Balcony) west of Čevo, and Mali Čevo, east of Čevo. There are no viewpoints near Veliki Lubenjak.

Note #3: The return from Intersection #11 back to Podevčevo is on an UNMARKED forest trail, which is fairly easy and clear to navigate even without the markings.

Note #4: Somewhere between Intersections #9 and #10, there was a bigger tree right on the path with a hornet's nest on it. They aren't aggressive generally and were buzzing in the upper branches, so they shouldn't bother you. Still, be careful and don't stop in their vicinity.

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The trail is a physically moderate and technically easy trail, mostly through softer forest terrain. It starts at the village of Podevčevo (near Novi Marof), which has a dedicated free parking place at the trailhead (called "Parking Čevo").

Balkon and Mali Čevo supposedly supposedly offer the best views in the area, but sadly these were hindered by slightly foggy weather.

The trail from Čevo to Intersection #11 has some ups and downs, but it shouldn't be demanding (even for kids and pets). Once at this intersection, you can make a circular tour to the "Grebengrad" mountain lodge (usually closed) and then to Grebengrad, the ruins of an old fortification; or go directly to Veliki Lubenjak; or simply skip all of that and return back to Podevčevo through the unmarked forest path.

Once you hit Podevčevo, you'll be walking for a few km on asphalt roads back to the parking spot.

Mobile reception is mostly OK throughout the trail, though in some deeper parts of the woods it can be spotty.

For additional information about the trail and waypoints, read the waypoint descriptions.

Waypoints

Podevčevo - Car park

Free parking at Podevčevo, the village resting underneath the peak. The parking is located very near the trailhead, and markings are visible and easy to follow.

Intersection #1 / continue straight

Continue into the woods.

Intersection #2 / all available paths lead to Čevo

Go left on the "harder" (teži) route, slightly shorter but nicer because it passes through another viewpoint. Continue straight to go through the "easier" (lakši) and longer route, but which skips one of the viewpoints.

Intersection #3 / continue straight

Intersection #4 / to 'Čevo - vrh'

Intersection #5 / go left

Photo ofVidikovac Balkon (eng. Viewpoint Balcony)

Vidikovac Balkon (eng. Viewpoint Balcony)

The best viewpoint of the trail, and actually the only one if you skipped Mali Čevo. The place offers a picnic area, and a hut which was open when we visited.

Čevo (568 m)

View is covered by trees. The geodesic post with the peak's metal stamp was vandalized when we arrived. It was removed and thrown off into the forest just below the peak. We've managed to recover it and placed it back near the altitude marker. Hopefully, it'll still be standing when you visit this place.

Intersection #6 / to Grebengrad

Intersection #7 / to Grebengrad

Intersection #8 / go right

Intersection #9 / go left (follow the 'pi' signs)

Intersection #10 / go right

Photo ofIntersection #11 / to Grebengrad (ruins), Grebengrad (mountain lodge), Veliki Lubenjak

Intersection #11 / to Grebengrad (ruins), Grebengrad (mountain lodge), Veliki Lubenjak

Choose whichever thing you want to visit first. We first came to the lodge, then the ruins, and then on our way back we detoured to Veliki Lubenjak (it's on the hill, past the big cross) and then resumed towards Podevčevo.

Photo ofIntersection #12 / right, to 'Pl. dom' aka mountain lodge

Intersection #12 / right, to 'Pl. dom' aka mountain lodge

'Grebengrad' mountain lodge

The lodge is only open on prior request. It does not serve foods or drinks by default.

Intersection #13 / go left

Grebengrad ruins are to the left of this sign.

Grebengrad (ruins)

The ruins of an old fortification called Grebengrad (roughly translated as "Ridgetown"). The ruins are thoroughly destroyed and are overgrown with the tall grass and bushes. First mentioning of Grebengrad dates to 1209. Hidden between the hills of Ivanšćica mountain, Grebengrad was populated from around 1209 and up to 1710, when a fire rendered it uninhabitable.

Intersection #14 / go right

Veliki Lubenjak (590 m)

A thoroughly unimpressive peak, surrounded by trees. It used to be a a part of the official Croatian Mountain Trail (Hrvatska planinarska obilaznica - HPO), but it was later removed in 2021 because the trail to it supposedly passes through private property. We didn't see any fences or anything of the sort blocking passage. However, if you aren't collecting the metal stamps of the HPO, there's really nothing to see on this peak for any hiker.