Autumn wealth

When you decided to visit Karlovac County in autumn, you had no idea it would require more than a few days. Autumn here is warm enough to enjoy the outdoors without feeling too cold.

Cycling along the marked bike trails will take you to places you can barely find on a map. Experienced cyclists say that biking in Karlovac County is a unique experience – it’s never the same, and you never know what awaits around the bend. Since our county lies on diverse terrain, a mix of lowlands and hills, in just an hour or two of cycling, the difficulty or type of path is never the same. You’ll go from flat areas to hills, from shaded forest paths to open clearings surrounded by tall trees. Then, you’ll head downhill toward the river, and just when you start to worry about stopping in time, the trail will suddenly veer alongside the high walls of an ancient fort or an old town, taking your breath away with the scenic view from the roadside lookout.

If you plan a full day, be sure to allow time for unexpected changes. Autumn is a time of harvest bounty. Chestnuts, mushrooms, honey – they’re just the crown of the diverse fruits and vegetables offered as delicacies at fairs and local festivals. If your journey takes you to Vivodina, you’ll probably want to step into a vineyard yourself and help the owner harvest the juicy grapes that will later become wine. You'll be doubly rewarded – with satisfaction and maybe a glass or two. That’s why we told you at the start: you’ll need more than a few days here. Harvest celebrations often last a bit longer.

The chestnut festivals are the best. Nearly every village has its own chestnut festival in chestnut season, and everyone is invited. You can start by gathering chestnuts yourself or buying them – raw or already roasted. Or perhaps you’ll prefer to skip right to the final product – a dessert made from chestnut puree. In any case, don’t forget to try some young wine or last year’s vintage. And don’t rush. We did say you’d be staying more than a few days.

No matter what fruit you like best, if you come here in autumn, every one will become your favorite – in strudel. Strudlafest is a festival of endless rolled dough layers, filled with the best of each fruit – apples, pears, plums, grapes... Although the longest strudel in the world (1,479.38 m) was made in Jaškovo in 2015, earning a Guinness World Record, it doesn’t mean you can’t set a new personal record – in the amount of strudel you’ll eat. And after good food, a little drink is in order again. And once again, we’re back at the beginning, reminding you to plan on staying more than a few autumn days.