Brestova Draga: Fajeri and Historic Roads

The townscape of Brestova Draga is shaped by a settlement loosely arranged along a road on gently sloping karst terrain. A number of older buildings featuring elements of traditional architecture have been preserved. The settlement pattern, terrain, and building fabric give the place its distinct character. The loose arrangement describes a dispersed settlement along the road, not a densely clustered town center.

Townscape and the Karolina Road

Fajeri are the 13 stone supports of a wooden viaduct built in 1732 along the Karolina Road. The combination of the wooden viaduct and stone supports makes Fajeri recognizable as a structural feature of the road. They are located on the original Karolina route between Brestova Draga and Slavica; today, it is a forest road. Fajeri can be approached from either Slavica or Brestova Draga. Road conditions can vary after rain, so you should check access conditions in advance.

The Karolina Road was built in the first half of the 18th century as Croatia’s first road connection between the Pannonian and Adriatic regions. It is 105.6 km long. Its history places Fajeri along a route that had significance beyond the local area.

Hiking and mountain biking routes

As a cycling stage, the E7 MTB route runs from Fužine through Lokve, Brestova Draga, Rudine, and Mrkopalj to Delnice. The full stage profile lists a total elevation gain of 650 m, a high point of 950 m, and a low point of 710 m. The Karolina Road reaches its highest point at 970 m between Belo Selo and Brestova Draga; this elevation refers to a different route.

On foot, the 20.1 km Sunger–Brestova Draga–Bitoraj hiking route passes Bitorajske Bijele stijene and Bitoraj. Unlike the elevation figures for the E7, the total length is the main point of reference for this route. Trail conditions can vary; check the current status before setting out.

Route 727, “Tragovima starih povijesnih cesta,” runs from Lokve through Brestova Draga and Slavica to the “Roswell cowboy village,” then back to Lokve. The route name refers to historic roads; the sequence of stops also provides a concrete itinerary for orientation.

Prenka and the regional context

The Prenka ski area in Brestova Draga is classified as part of the Mrkopalj ski-center system. If you are planning a day of skiing at Prenka, check its operating status locally in advance. In the Općina Mrkopalj, Mrkopalj is considered the cradle of Croatian skiing; in 1934, Croatia’s first ski jump, “Pod Vrhin,” was built there.

Bijele stijene and Samarske stijene are also located within the Općina Mrkopalj. Both were designated strict nature reserves in 1985. Check the applicable protected-area regulations before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Mrkopalj, Begovo Razdolje, Tuk Vojni, Sunger

Go to the main travel overview: Općina Mrkopalj.