Papuk Nature Park

Papuk Nature Park connects two Croatian counties - Pozega-Slavonia County and Virovitica-Podravina. It was proclaimed as the Nature Park in 1999, with the protection of part of the area of Papuk Mountain and a part of Krndija. Eight years later Papuk Nature Park became the first Croatian geopark and part of the European and World Geopark Association. Geological history of Papuk and its surroundings is interesting. Once the island, today the mountain. The Pannonian Sea, which was once surrounding mountains like Papuk, retreated, and the peaks of Papuk remained high above the Slavonic Plain as islands of geomorphological and biological diversity. The highest peaks are Papuk with its 953 meters and Ivacka glava with 913 meters. 96 percent of the area is covered with beech forests, with the areas of jew habitats which are now the last in Slavonia. Bears, wolves and witches have once lived here, while today, these regions are home to deer, wild boar, fox and marten. We can find here more than a quarter of all plant species inhabiting Croatia. Apart from biological curiosity, Papuk is also a cultural phenomenon. Mountain areas with abundance of water and food have always provided shelter and home to people, hence the Iron Age finds, more precisely 750th - 300th BC. The Slavonians fled at the mountain from Turks, leaving seven medieval fortresses mostly from the 13th century as proof. The most beautiful is Ruzica near Orahovica, an outstanding example from the period of Gothic and Renaissance.
Find accommodation in Slavonia and Baranja and time to visit this unique place. Look for Plis-Maliscak-Turjak-Lapjak, Rupnica, Stare hrastove, Jew habitats, Jankovac and Sekulinska Mountain. These are geomorphological and biological sites and specially protected areas due to their exceptional beauty and importance for natural processes on Earth understanding. Come by car, public transport or bicycle - 104 kilometres of bike paths and paragliding on the Plis hill offer an extra adrenaline dose for those who do not find walks across centuries-old forests exciting. You can find rocks for sports climbing in the nearby Sokoli Mountains and you can ride a horse on ranches in places like Orahovica. Do not miss a visit Maksimova cave located on the educational trail of Grof on Jankovec. Let Papuk seduce you with its branches wide spread of centuries-old oak trees and the warmth of sunny meadows. Slavonian traditional hospitality covers every corner of the Park. You will leave your soul at restaurants and wine houses of this area where you will find another proof of the generosity of Papuk, local people and the nature. The Visitor Centre is located in Velika and is open every working day, and you can find more information at +385 34 313 030 or at the following e-mail address: kontakt@pp-papuk.hr. Prices are symbolic. Put on layered clothes.