Klana, a village located in the mountainous part of the Rijeka hinterland, between the coast, Gorski Kotar and Slovenia, traces its history back to the time of the Roman Empire. The “Gradina” archaeological site, as well as the system of monitoring stations, fortifications and ramparts known as “Claustra Alpium Iuliarum” near the hamlet of Studena, speak of the strategic role of the settlement in late antiquity. Before leaving for the “Queen of the Forest” route, do not miss the excavations of the Gradina castle, located just above the centre of Klana, on a hill 629 m above sea level.
From the centre of Klana, the route takes you first on asphalt, and then down a forest road to Škalnica. From Škalnica, you will ascend towards Pliševica, followed by a descent to Lisac. This forest-rich area will provide hospitality within its natural habitat in a show of real richness and diversity. The gravel road from the hamlet of Lisac will take you to the “Queen of the Forest” – a two hundred year old beech with some impressive dimensions. Its height reaches 25 m, with a trunk diameter of 122 cm. After taking a short break in the embrace of the “Queen of the Forest”, you will continue to the old road house called “Stara Rebar”, built on the model of an Istrian kažun (stone cottage). Today it serves as a shelter for mountaineers, and it is not far away from the Vela Voda riverbed, which is the source of the Reka river. This is followed by a well-deserved descent along a beautiful gravel road to the centre of Klana.
At the end of the route, be sure to visit the Ethnographic House “Rebičina kiša”, which preserves some valuable ethnographic material in its collection, as well as its original appearance.
