Wikiloc | Veliko Snježno - Donji Medvejci - Gornji Medvejci - Brankov vrh - Jelenc - Planina

Download

Trail photos

Photo ofVeliko Snježno - Donji Medvejci - Gornji Medvejci - Brankov vrh - Jelenc - Planina - Veliko Snježno (09/2023)

Author

Blackbirds

2,660 103 1216

See more trails from this author

Trail stats

Distance: 8.44 mi
Elevation gain: 2,392 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 2,392 ft
Max elevation: 4,861 ft
TrailRank: 51
Min elevation: 3,691 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 4 hours 34 minutes
Time: 6 hours 29 minutes
Coordinates: 2456
Uploaded: September 9, 2023
Recorded: September 2023

1 Clap

near Lividraga, Primorsko-goranska (Hrvatska)

Viewed 91 times, downloaded 1 times

Trail photos

Itinerary description

Physical difficulty: 3.5/5
Technical difficulty: 2/5

Note #1: There's no water springs in the area. Even though the trail is mostly in the shade, bring plenty of water in the summer months.

Note #2: The signal reception is mostly OK, though in the deeper woods you'll get none (or basic E signal). Prepare your offline maps accordingly. Since Slovenia is so close, your network may switch sometimes to roaming, especially from Brankov vrh until Planina.

Note #3: Even though the Platak area is a popular destination, almost nobody ever ventures beyond Snježnik peak or the amenities centered near the resort itself. It's most likely you won't encounter anyone else on this trail, even on weekends.

Note #4: Don't park at the main huge parking lot on Platak for this trail. It will add too much to the trail distance. Instead, park at Veliko Snježno (see waypoint #1 for a more detailed description).

--

This is a loop trail in the Platak area visiting 5 different peaks. In order: Donji Medvejci, Gornji Medvejci, Brankov vrh, Jelenc and Planina. Veliko Snježno is the meadow near which you will park.

None of the peaks are technically demanding, though the immediate ascents and descents on some of them do require that you use your hands to climb over karst rocks.

The real killer here is the slope of the ascents - they're generally short, but really brutal. Hiking poles are extremely helpful because at times you'll be going almost at 45° angles. By the time you reach Jelenc and Planina, the steepness of these ascents will take a toll on your stamina regardless of physical condition. It's pretty much the same even if you take the trail in reverse.

Other than that it's a very pleasant hike through the beautiful, deep karst woods of Gorski Kotar. Even in the summer, the temperature should be pleasant as most of the trail is under shade. Due to not being frequented by other hikers, it will also be slightly overgrown in some parts, so long pants are advisable.

The markings are for the most part newly-painted, except in a short segment from Jelenc to Planina where they are faded, bur still visible. Because of the dense forests, it can be sometimes tough to spot the next marking amongst all those tree trunks. Keep an eye out on crossings so you don't miss any turns.

Waypoints

Veliko Snježno / Car parking

The "parking lot" is just a wider intersection at the northside of the Veliko Snježno meadow. The meadow itself is not visible because of the dense trees. You could also park at the official Platak asphalt parking lot, but there's a 2hrs hike from there to Veliko Snježno - it would needlessly add way too much time and distance. Instead, continue straight from the main Platak parking lot and onto an asphalt road through the forest. The asphalt will give way to a fine gravel road, without any potholes or dangerous spots. It should be perfectly passable by any normal car. After a short while on it, you should reach Veliko Snježno. See directions on the 3rd picture. Just keep out for cyclists on these roads and don't drive too fast!

Intersection #1 / Veliko Snježno

Take a right here, off the gravel road and onto the forest path. The official stamp for Veliko Snježno is located on the big rock on your right. Be careful to stamp it in the right direction, because for some reason it's turned upside down.

Intersection #2 / go left

Go left, on the slope. The trail is a bit overgrown here.

Intersection #3 / go left

Intersection #4 / go left

Intersection #5 / slight left towards Donji Medvejci peak

Take a slight left here, towards Donji Medvejci.

Intersection #6 / go left

Donji Medvejci (1395 m)

Donji Medvejci is a small rocky promontory, partly overgrown by woods that obstruct the view from the southwest to the north side. It still offers a nice view in the other unobstructed directions, particularly towards Guslica, Učka, and the so called Grobnik's Alps. Prominent is also the Slovenian peak Snežnik (the sister-peak of the Croatian Snježnik). From it, you can also see the other peaks you're going to visit on this trail: Gornji Medvejci and Brankov vrh to the north, and Jelenc and Planina to the east.

Intersection #7 / slight left

After you pass this sign, continue straight and slightly to the left.

Intersection #8 / continue straight

Intersection #9 / go right

Intersection #10 / continue straight

Cross the road and continue straight into the woods.

Intersection #11 / go right

Gornji Medvejci (1461 m)

Located almost directly north from the shorter Donji Medvejci, the higher brother peak offers mostly unobstructed views in all directions.

Intersection #12 / continue slightly right

Intersection #13 / continue straight

Intersection #14 / to Brankov vrh

Cross the road and into the woods again in the direction of Jelenc & Brankov vrh.

Brankov vrh (1445 m)

Also known as "Branko Lončar's Peak" or "Branko's Peak" for short. In terms of views, it's similar to Gornji Medvejci. It's a rocky promontory overgrown with juniper shrubs.

Intersection #15 / to 'Jelenc'

Follow the path left towards Jelenc peak.

Intersection #16 / to 'Jelenc'

Continue straight, following the sign pointing to Jelenc.

Jelenc (1442 m)

Jelenc is not the highest peak on this trail, but it's the only one included in the official Croatian Mountain Trail (Hrvatska planinarska obilaznica). If you're too tired, you can cut the hike short and head straight back towards the parking lot at veliko Snježno.

Intersection #17 / continue straight

Past the sign for Lividraga meadow is the marking leading straight and to the final peak in the area, Planina. If you want to cut the trail short, you can head right and towards Veliko Snježno directly (follow the "Platak" direction).

Planina (1425 m)

Planina in Croatian simply means "Mountain". Despite it's unremarkable and lazy name, this is the most beautiful peak on the hike. It offers the most diverse view of all: a look at the meadows Šegina and Lividraga. Snježnik in Slovenia, to the north. A pretty close-up view of Guslica and its telecommunications tower to the south... and well, everything else you've passed on this hike. Reaching it from Jelenc is touugh, because that western side of the peak is steep as hell! But, it's worth it :)