Ljubešćica

Ljubešćica sits below the northern side of the Kalnik range, between Novi Marof, Varaždinske Toplice and the Ludbreg area. Rising immediately south of the village, Kalnik culminates at the 643-metre Vranilac peak; its bare rock faces and deciduous woods form Ljubešćica’s unmistakable backdrop. Part of the protected Kalnik landscape lies within the municipality, an area designated in 1985 and also included in the Natura 2000 network. The village landmark is the parish church of the Holy Trinity on Kalnička Street, within the Varaždinske Toplice deanery. Ljubešćica is particularly useful as a northern gateway for walkers who want to approach Kalnik away from the busier southern access near the village of Kalnik. A local trail follows the Hruškovec stream canyon towards the mountain and crosses a wooden bridge restored through a community initiative. Cyclists encounter a very different side of the same landscape on the demanding Gravel Kalnik loop: after descending through the forest, the route passes the quarry near Ljubešćica before returning towards Ludbreg along Kalnik’s rolling northern flank. The close meeting of village streets, stream gorge, woodland and rocky uplands gives Ljubešćica its distinctly outdoors-oriented character.

Ljubešćica stands where north-western Croatia’s lower transport corridor meets the wooded northern slopes of Kalnik. Within the municipality, the protected mountain landscape is shaped by faults, springs and varied rock formations, while deciduous woodland dominates and naturally occurring conifers are largely absent. Forest and exposed crags alternate above the village, and the Kalnik ridge itself divides the Sava and Drava drainage basins. Local life centres on the Holy Trinity parish church and on paths climbing from the foothills into the range. For travellers, Ljubešćica should not be confused with the village of Kalnik on the mountain’s southern side: it is a separate northern approach, naturally linked with Varaždinske Toplice, Novi Marof and Ludbreg.