We suggest a walk in Međimurje. Do you know that 20% of Međimurje is actually a protected area of the Mura Drava Regional Park, which has a total area of 87.680,52 hectares? The park in Međimurje County covers the area of three cities, Prelog, Mursko Središće and Čakovec, and 13 municipalities.
Rivers Mura and Drava they are among the last prenatural flows of lowland rivers in Central Europe, and are characterized by a high level of biodiversity. They are especially significant wet habitats which are among the most endangered in Europe, and are also protected in the Republic of Croatia: floodplain forests, wet grasslands, dead backwaters, abandoned riverbeds and meanders, reefs and steep sloping shores where strictly protected species nest.
///Why Međimurje? Check out what this green oasis hides
A special experience is a walk along the left bank of the river Die where five kilometers of trails are arranged for easy walking, hiking, biking and other active activities. Along the trail, which is suitable for all ages, there are forest classrooms, and visitors are happy to take photos on the popular restored wooden bridge.
St. Martin's Wall brings together individual local eco and ethno attractions. Through twenty educational boards placed along the trail, Međimurje residents and tourists can learn about interesting things from the domain of natural heritage. Who are the villains in nature, how do frogs live in Žabnik, why is the Mura River the main vein of Međimurje and Prekmurje, what is the life cycle of dragonflies from the swamps and a number of other instructive details from the flora and fauna of the St. Martin area.
The miller's route
Want to get to the Mura River and don't have much time? This is the ideal route for you. In the area around Mlini na Muri, find out a few interesting things about the nature that surrounds it.
- Estimated tour time: about 20 minutes
Međimurje horse route
Apart from the river Mura and the oxbow lake, are you interested in the endangered breed of Međimurje horse? Going in the direction of Gmajna with Međimurje horses is a great choice. This route allows a moderate walk, experience the natural sounds along the Mura and meet horses.
- Estimated tour time: about 60 minutes
The Living Dead Route
You have been around Mlini na Muri several times already and want a slightly different tour of the area? This circular route starts at the northernmost tourist point of the Republic of Croatia and offers a tour of the Mura oxbow lake and its wildlife.
- Estimated tour time: about 30 minutes
Beaver route
If you do not want a lot of walking, but you are interested in beaver tracks in nature, this is an ideal circular route. We start at the Skelarska kuća and, in addition to the Mura River, we visit the former gravel pits around Sveti Martin na Muri.
- Estimated tour time: about 45 minutes
Old Mura route
At this circular route we go all the way along the old or main course of the river Mura. By visiting it, we notice all the differences between the living world of the oxbow lake and the main stream, as well as different ways of using these spaces.
- Estimated tour time: about 1 hour and 30 minutes
Route Svetomartinska Mura
Want a little more hiking? The Svetomartinska Mura is the longest route and includes all the interesting features on the trail. Wildlife along the backwater, the main course of the Mura River, a pasture with Međimurje horses, gravel pits and traces of beaver activity.
- Estimated tour time: about 2 hours
Med dvemi vodami and Ecomuseum Međimurja
What is a merganser, does Međimurje also have its own cod, why is it important to preserve the sea breams, who are the marlins, what is the legend about the Drava kingfisher, who are the flojsaris, which tropical-looking bird flies over Međimurje, why are the grebe and the black sasa an endangered species, just are part of the interesting things that you will find out if you visit the Med dvemi vodami Visitor Center.
We definitely recommend the Visitor Center Ecomuseum of Međimurje in the Međimurje Palace of Tourism, which unites the most important values of Međimurje - folk music, archaeological and sacred heritage, mill on the Mura, washing of gold on the Drava, Old town of Zrinski, natural heritage, wine culture, traditional Međimurje gastronomy, life and work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, sport and recreation. In addition to the unique concept of the Ecomuseum, the technological solutions it offers are also unique - virtual reality is connected with the material, ie through the elements of virtual reality, contact with the museum space is achieved.
In addition to this state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive exhibition in this part of Europe, it was announced at the beginning of May that Međimurje will get another contemporary museum. It's about museum of intangible heritage “Treasury of Međimurje”, which will offer visitors an attractive museum display.
Cover photo: Međimurje Tourist Board
