MOUNTAIN HUT ON KLEK (1000 m) is located directly below the imposing Klek rock face. The idea for building a mountain hut appeared at the beginning of the century, but the first hut was built only in 1958. The ground floor has a kitchen, phone booth and two day rooms, the upper floor and extension have dorms with 50 beds (there are also about 10 spare mattresses). Water from cistern. Usually open in summer weekends and partially stocked.
Approaches to the hut:
START: OGULIN /via Vučići 3h.
From Ogulin train station follow first marks through town, at 2nd junction left, then straight another 400m past traffic lights junction to concrete fence above Dobra canyon through Krlenac promenade. From there right out of town to shop in Vučići (bench with tables). 10m behind it starts ascent to first then second Bukovnik plateau. About 1km further (signpost) worth turning right off trail 3' to viewpoint at Pečnik peak edge for unusual view 150m deep. Follows gentle ascent through nice mixed forest, then through middle of gentle Malo polje (540m). From spring ascent through forest to Kneja sports-recreation center (560m), where there are playgrounds and cabins that can serve as shelter. Above Kneja exit to Ogulin-Jasenak road, left 300m, then right uphill through forest to Sovenica pass (700m) between Sovenica peak (850m) and Ostrvica (722m); locals call it Zakopa because, according to legend, bodies of Turkish soldiers are buried here. From here sudden nice close view of Klek. Gentle descent to meadows with few small springs at Klek foot, where we cross Bjelsko-Turković Selo trail, then very steep ascent on grassy slope 15'-20'/Mrcina to Klek ridge and join marking from Bjelsko.
START: OGULIN /via Puškarići 3:30
Through town towards Vrbovsko past Đulin ponor, gas station to junction. Turn left towards BJELSKO.
At first road branch turn left into Puškarići village. There weaker marking through village and gentle ascent along wooden poles/power lines to meadows. Soon exit to Ogulin-Bjelsko road, after hundred meters turn left.
We are in Ostrvica forest. Along cart track past former quarry/here comes path from Vučići.. Continue same way.
START: BJELSKO
BJELSKO (625 m) is hamlet of Musulinski Potok with few houses, orchard, inn and spring, all along road, important as closest road access to Klek. Parking possible. At village entrance, left of road, interesting natural rock formation like mushroom, so-called Visibaba. From house with red-white roof steep hiking trail up eastern and southern slopes of Klek. The surrounding meadows are habitat of many interesting, protected and endangered species. Passing Klek-Ogulin-Bjelsko signpost already close to goal/HERE OUR PATH FROM OGULIN JOINS. Soon two benches, then two sharp turns after which path breaks to ridge with thinner forest. Flat trail along ridge below famous witch welcome slab to hut on Klek.
ASCENT TO KLEK SUMMIT /30 min.
unusually interesting but not recommended for vertigo sufferers, avoid in windy/rainy weather when terrain slippery. From hut to summit trail left along contour passing small cave (5x4x2.5m) below overhanging rock. Soon trail forks: straight 35' to Klečice, right uphill 15' to Klek summit. To Klek summit trail climbs beside vertical rock tube and past memorial plaques of fallen climbers to grassy terrain. Over helipad plateau to summit in 5'. Though height not great, ascent gives high mountain feeling, especially exiting to grassy summit ridge with wide views all around.
KLEK SUMMIT (1182 m). Near summit small concrete helipad, on summit itself two repeaters. Views Bjelolasica, Bijele stijene, Risnjak, Sabljaci lake etc. On summit don't approach rock edge too much. Summit is stone dome ~10m diameter, now with repeater remains. From here wide view one side to Gorski kotar, other to Medvednica above Zagreb. Careful not to dislodge stones, fatal for climbers below. From fork to Klečice summit ~30'. After 2-3' path to wooded pass ~100m wide, then up ridge left very steep meadow (view to Musulinski Potok village), right forest. At top of meadow (1098m point) trail enters forest towards Hrelin, right very steep down weak path under Klečice peaks where carefully choose way to summit (for experienced hikers only!).
KLEČICE
(1062 m) huge crag s. of Klek summit, bit aside and lower than main ridge. Two rock hooks distinguishable. Narrow mountain ridge connects to main ridge, all around picturesque vertical rocks. Hiking return from Klek to Ogulin via Kneja and Vučići 3 hours. Over various beautiful flowery meadows with frequent views of Klek rock mass, no villages so landscape very natural.