Stubičke Toplice combines the wellness facilities of Special Hospital Stubičke Toplice with historic buildings and trails in the Medvednica landscape. When planning, it is worth keeping the different time and distance measures in mind: the Kamenjak educational trail is 1,200 metres long, while completing Route 39 to Sljeme in the Općina Stubičke Toplice takes about four hours on foot. This makes it easy to distinguish short cultural and nature stops from longer hikes.
Wellness and the History of the Spa
The Wellness Centre at Special Hospital Stubičke Toplice offers a swimming pool, a whirlpool, underwater and dry massages, Turkish, Finnish and infrared saunas, and a relaxation area. Specially developed wellness packages prepared by medical staff are also available, as are medical and anti-stress massages for the face and body. The Special Hospital provides services to private users and tourists. Check the latest offers and access conditions before travelling, as service conditions may change.
The historic bathing and spa complex was built between 1811 and 1814 by Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac of Zagreb. In the Općina Stubičke Toplice, four hyperthermal mineral springs reach temperatures of up to 69.7 °C. The spa and springs provide a distinctive setting for a stay that combines wellness with excursions in the surrounding area.
Chapels and History
The Chapel of St Catherine on Kapelščak was built in 1814 by Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac for the nearby spa and serves as a parish church. It is under preventive protection as a cultural asset. The parish church park is also home to the Betlehemska spilja, with a permanent exhibition of Nativity scenes and the tomb of Christ.
The Horvatove Stube tell a different story of construction: Vladimir Horvat built the 500 stone steps by hand between 1946 and 1953. The steps can be reached from Pila in Stubičke Toplice on a one-hour hike. The staircase links a specific historic undertaking with a hiking option; the surrounding area also features karst caves, pits, disappearing streams, rocks, dolines and karren.
Educational Trails and Nature
The historic Kamenjak educational trail is 1,200 metres long, with an elevation difference of 87 metres. Rest areas and information boards focus on local biodiversity; the trail can also be used for outdoor school activities. It leads to the Galženjak Oak, a protected natural monument associated in local oral tradition with the 1573 Peasant Revolt.
Jarki Lake also offers a way to explore nature: it is used for nature recreation, fishing tourism and outdoor school activities. On foot, the route passes through historic Kapelščak and follows a forest road to the lake, which lies in the forests of Medvednica Nature Park. A wooden fishing hut beside the water is available for various activities.
Hiking in the Općina Stubičke Toplice
Eighty percent of the Općina Stubičke Toplice lies within Medvednica Nature Park. The Kapelščak educational and recreational trail starts in Maksimilijana Vrhovca Park and climbs towards the viewpoint and the Chapel of St Catherine. The two-kilometre route is estimated to take about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. Information boards, eco-messages, wooden benches and waste bins are among the facilities along the route; check their current condition on site. A memorial plaque beside the chapel commemorates the final battle of the 1573 Peasant Revolt.
For longer distances, Routes 38 and 39 lead from Stubičke Toplice into Medvednica. Hiking Trail 38 connects the town with Main Trail 1 along the ridge. Route 39 goes via Pila to the summit of Sljeme and has two access points. The full route to Sljeme takes about four hours on foot; actual walking times depend on pace and conditions. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
A Cycling Route as an Alternative
The ten-kilometre Stubičke Toplice cycling route is an easy loop that starts in the town centre. It offers a different type of route from the hiking trails. Route conditions and signage may change; check both before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Strmec Stubički
Return to the main travel overview: Općina Stubičke Toplice.
