Stara Sušica, Ravna Gora
About this place
Stara Sušica is a Gorski Kotar village on the historic Karolina road, about five kilometres from Ravna Gora and roughly 800 metres above sea level. Its defining landmark is a stone castle rooted in the Frankopan era and reshaped in a romantic style after Rijeka merchants Feliks and Josip Neuberger bought it in 1890, adding its distinctive tower and turret. The building is now managed by Rijeka’s Dom mladih and operates as a mountain lodge for pre-booked groups. Beside it stand the Large Carnivores Visitor Centre and the starting point of the Frankopan Walking Trail. The route circles a small lake beneath conifers before following the old Karolina road towards Ravna Gora’s oldest quarter and reaching the first houses of Vrh after about two kilometres. Walkers can continue towards Javorova kosa, where a lookout and mountain hut occupy the summit and the Božji studenac spring lies below. Stara Sušica is therefore a base for woodland walks and Frankopan heritage rather than a seaside stay.
Stara Sušica takes its character from a woodland castle and the old Karolina road running through the village. During the 19th century the castle belonged to Laval Nugent, while the Neuberger brothers remodelled it after purchasing the property in 1890; it is now owned by the City of Rijeka and primarily serves organised groups of children and adults. Rather than functioning like a conventional hotel, the mountain lodge requires advance booking, with Dom mladih publishing separate conditions for groups of fewer than 20 guests. The conifer forest, the small lake beside the Frankopan Walking Trail and nearby interpretation of Croatia’s large carnivores give the village a distinctly educational Gorski Kotar identity.
Things to see
Significant landscape
Significant landscape
Special reserve
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Things to do
Begin beside Stara Sušica Castle, then cross to the Large Carnivores Visitor Centre near the local trailhead. The Frankopan Walking Trail first loops around a small lake furnished with benches and loungers, climbs along the old Karolina road and alternates between gravel track, forest and meadow before reaching the houses of Vrh after roughly two kilometres. Return towards the castle along the same route. For a longer outing, join the Javorova kosa trail and continue to its panoramic summit and mountain hut, looking for the Božji studenac spring on the lower slope. Plan access to the castle interior only as part of a pre-arranged group visit or stay.
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Nearest destination: Kvarner (33 km)
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Practical information
Getting there and around
The principal local reference point in Stara Sušica is Karolinska cesta; the mountain lodge stands at Karolinska 85, about five kilometres from Ravna Gora. Arriving by car gives direct access to the village and to the Frankopan Walking Trail trailhead beside the castle and Large Carnivores Centre. The walk itself follows part of the old Karolina road towards Vrh before the asphalt gives way to gravel and forest track, so that continuation is not a road approach. Organised groups staying in the castle arrange and pay separately for transport on the lodge’s optional excursions. A visit combining the castle area with Javorova kosa can conveniently begin and end at the same Stara Sušica trailhead.
Frequently asked questions
Can an individual stay overnight in the castle?
Stara Sušica Castle accepts organised groups with mandatory advance booking, while groups below 20 guests are subject to specific dates and booking deadlines.
Where does the Frankopan Walking Trail begin?
The trail starts in Stara Sušica, close to the castle and the Large Carnivores Visitor Centre.
Where does the extended walk lead?
The extension climbs Javorova kosa to a lookout and mountain hut, with the Božji studenac spring below the summit.
Nearby
Stara Sušica, Ravna Gora
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Photo credits: Stara Sušica, Ravna Gora, Ravna Gora, Kupjak — Martinarg (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Moravice — The original uploader was Goran051 at Croatian Wikipedia. (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Vrbovsko — Original uploader was LalalaB at hr.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Kamačnik Canyon, Kamačnik River — Modzzak (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Zeleni vir — Deapmakeup (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Gomirje Monastery — LalalaB at Croatian Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Apartmani Klenovica.eu — Ljiljana Pavkovic (courtesy of the property owner) · Apartman Opatija — Grazia Kožul (courtesy of the property owner) · Kuća za odmor Green Zen — IVICA ŠKRINJARIĆ (courtesy of the property owner) · Holiday House Šterna — Vjekoslav Simon (courtesy of the property owner) · Apartman Mira — Marijan Ćaćan (courtesy of the property owner) · Fužine — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain) · Delnice — Lan Glad (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Mrkopalj — Mr. Mrko. (CC BY-SA 4.0)