Cycling, hiking and village history offer different ways to explore Stari Laz. The “Following the Path of Berries” mountain bike route passes through the village, while the Camino Gorski kotar passes the Church of St. King Stephen. There is also a described approach to Dedinski Vrh and the Kraljevo village festival. Whether you prefer cycling, hiking a route or focusing on local history, you can shape your stay around different interests.
Cycling and hiking around Stari Laz
The MTB Route 762, “Following the Path of Berries,” starts in Ravna Gora and forms a loop through Stari Laz. It is listed as 33.5 kilometres long, with 670 metres of elevation gain. The ratings indicate a physical difficulty of 3/5 and a technical difficulty of 2/5. These figures relate to different aspects of the route and can be considered separately. The distance, climb and two ratings give you concrete points of reference when planning the loop. As route conditions can change, check them before your ride.
In Stari Laz, the Camino Gorski kotar passes the Church of St. King Stephen. The described Camino Gorski kotar stage is considered one of the more challenging routes because of the mountainous terrain. Before setting out, check the trail conditions and markings. This lets you compare the general difficulty rating with the conditions relevant to your planned hike.
The Church and its historical context
The Church of St. King Stephen was built in 1912. A municipal planning document from January 2025 lists it as a religious building and classifies it as a little-researched cultural heritage site with historical or architectural potential. The same document records Stari Laz as a historic rural ensemble. Those walking the Camino pass the church; the classifications of both the church and the village ensemble add a historical perspective to this route.
The approach to nearby Dedinski Vrh offers another way to experience the surroundings. From Stari Laz, a forest track leads towards the peak between the fire station and the church. The described approach takes about 30 minutes: first across meadows, then into the forest. The track is unmarked. Take this information into account when deciding whether to include the route in your plans.
History and village life
The area’s earlier settlement history can be traced to around 1632, when Stari Laz was among the settlements in the region where Gašpar Frankopan settled people from Bosnia. The Karolina Road provides another historical perspective. Built from 1726 in the wider Ravna Gora area, it connected Karlovac with Bakar. The first reference concerns settlement in communities across the region; the second places this historic road connection in a broader regional context.
Kraljevo, the Stari Laz village festival, is part of village life. A report published on 11 June 2025 describes the celebration as taking place on 16 August or on the first Sunday after that feast day. Portions of beans are served to visitors. If you want to plan your trip around Kraljevo, check the specific event date in advance.
Discover more destinations
Kupjak, Stara Sušica, Ravna Gora, Zalesina
Back to the broader travel overview: Općina Ravna Gora.
