Land Art Trail on Mt. Učka
Stražica – Sapaćica Land Art Trail is on Mt. Učka (in Učka Nature Park), on the border of Istria and Kvarner in Croatia. It was opened in July 2016, two years after the initial idea by artist Boris Pecigoš, and completed by the end of that year.
- This article is an itinerary.
Understand
This 6.5 km long circular trail is a combination of artistic interventions in the form of land art and rock art, and the natural features of Ćićarija, i.e. its southern areas around the Stražica cliffs and Sapaćica pastures. The artworks are in places in which you would least expect them.
The guiding idea behind the trail, which is the conceptual project of artist Boris Pecigoš, is to raise awareness of the importance of the connection between man and nature. Man is, regardless of the alienation and bustle of today’s way of life, an inseparable part of nature. Although by his very existence he has an influence on nature and changes it, he can learn to follow the rhythms of nature and respect other creatures that share this planet with him.
As you walk, inhale the fragrance of the forest, listen to its sounds, feel the moist soil under your fingers, caress the soft moss, hug a tree, let the sun caress your skin, soak in the lush greenery and feel the powerful energy of nature around you. You don’t need to search for feelings of oneness with nature because they will come spontaneously. It is only important that you are present.
Don’t forget to look for the land art, that will prompt you to contemplate and meditate. Stand in silence, feel nature and connect with it as you observe the artistic work. Touch the handprints that are situated on some pieces of art, and make contact with nature. Feel the effect of nature on your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Think about your relationship with nature and become aware of your connection with all things created. Breathe as one with nature.
Land art is today a very diverse art form. The works are created in the very nature using natural materials found in situ (stone, gravel, soil, tree trunks, branches, leaves, snow, water...). Sometimes artificial materials are introduced. Painting the rocks with eco-friendly paints, as is the case in some of the works on this trail, is called the rock art. The land art works are situated in the open air, located far from civilization, left to change and disintegrate under the influence of natural forces.
Land Art as an art movement emerged in the 1960s in the US. Still, the cave drawings, megaliths, geoglyphs and petroglyphs of the ancient tribes show that this sort of expression has been fundamental since the beginning of humankind.
Prepare
This is an easy walking trail in the mountain, suitable for families, children, elderly people.
Nevertheless, have firm shoes (hiking or mountaineering shoes), a hat for sun protection in the summer, and for protection against cold and wind during winter. Walking sticks are not necessary but will make your walking easier.
Take enough water, especially in the summer! Take some food too, because you may want to stay in nature a little longer than 2-3 hours needed for this trail.
Make sure you have a copy of the Trail Map when you hike the trail. You can download it to your mobile device or print it out.
- Trail difficulty: easy
- Length: 6.5 km
- Duration: 2 – 3 hours (but, if you want to fully enjoy, take some more time)
- Entrance fee: there is no entrance fee to Učka Nature Park nor to Land art trail
Get in
Land art trail has two entrances that are on the road which connects Kvarner and Istria across Mt. Učka. The main entrance /🌍 / is located on Poklon, near the Info-center of the Učka Nature Park, mountain lodge (Planinarski dom Poklon) and Pansion Učka restaurant. The second entrance /🌍 / is near Dopolavoro restaurant, opposite the intersection where minor road turns for the Vojak, the highest peak of Učka. There are information board and signpost stone on both entrances.
You'll need a car, your own, rental or taxi, because there is no other means of transportation to the entrance of the trail. Only on Sundays, Poklon pass can be reached from Opatija (Slatina bus stop) by the local Autotrolej bus line no. 34. The journey takes about one hour.
- Opatija departure – 09:40 , 14:10
- Poklon return – 10:30 , 15:45
If coming from the direction of Rijeka, Opatija or nearby cities, take the E61 (A7) ring road and highway E751 (B8) in the direction of Pula. Take the exit for Veprinac. At the first intersection, turn left for Veprinac. At the next intersection in Veprinac also turn left (there is a sign for Učka). Drive for about 7.2 km to the Poklon and the first Land art trail entrance. The second entrance is located 800 m further down the road.
From the direction of Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag, Motovun or some other cities) via highway E751 (B8) exit in Vranje, just before the tunnel Učka, at the exit for Cres, Labin and Vela Učka. After the toll, turn right as the sign for Vela Učka shows. To the second Land art trail entrance drive for about 4.9 km. The first, main entrance is located 800 m further down the road.
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Walk
Start
Although the Land art trail has two entrances, start from the main entrance at Poklon (Entrance 1) /🌍 /, and then go around the trail in the anticlockwise direction. In that way, you will go through art works in the order in which they are listed. Follow the path and it will naturally guide you from one stop to the next. Everything is well marked so you can not get lost, and you will not miss a single point. Just watch for the markings and signposts.
The trail is divided into 5 sections, each marked with its own color. Start following the green markings placed on the trees and rocks. Along the green section of the trail there are seven land art installations (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 1 - 7). Then follow the red markings and you will find five more land art installations (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 8 - 12), and three viewpoints. On the violet section of the trail there are six land art installations, mostly in the form of rock art (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 13 - 18).
Then you come to the Entrance 2, where short pink section of the trail leads you to the Krog viewpoint on the Stražica cliff (1001 m), and along that trail there is only one land art installation (marked with number 19). When you get back to the Entrance 2, follow orange markings through the forest and they will return you to the Entrance 1 and Poklon, where you started your journey. Along the orange trail there is also only one land art work (in the itinerary marked with number 20).
As you walk through the woods and pastures, you will encounter the works of land art and rock art. You will surely wonder what they mean. So, description and meaning of all 20 artworks follow.
- Signposts and markings on the Land Art Trail
One of two entrances to Land art trail, with a signpost and information table
Logo of Land art trail
Signpost at the entrance to Land art trail
Markings on Land art trail
Signpost invitation to the visitors
Markings on Land art trail
Signpost showing to an artwork
Markings on Land art trail
Logo of Land art trail marking a location of an artwork
Markings on Land art trail
Green section of the trail
1. Grassy top
This place in the shade of trees offers you the first chance for deeper contact with nature.
A stone circle (∅ = 140 cm) with footprints in the limestone slab invites you to take off your shoes and stand inside it, be calm and quiet, listen to the nature around you and feel yourself as part of nature.
Your view will then spontaneously be directed to a hanging mandala (∅ = 150 cm), land art construction stretched between two trees on a small ridge that connects the two neighboring dolines. The mandala serves to focus your attention so you can easily enter a meditative state of deep relaxation.
Near the stone circle, surrounded by thick green grass, there is a beech tree that you can embrace and thus literally merge with the forest.
- 1. Grassy top
1. Grassy top - Stone circle
1. Grassy top - Mandala
2. Fairy gathering
On a small hill seven stones, which nature has placed in a circle (∅ ≈ 5 m), stick out of the grass. It's said that in places like this the forest fairies gather. Local legends speak of the “vile Učkarice” (Učka fairies).
Enter the circle and choose one of the seven painted stone symbols which attracts you the most, sit next to that stone on the soft grass and enjoy the shade of this magical place. The symbols represent the seven letters of the word “nature” (“priroda” in Croatian) written in cursive Glagolitic alphabet.
Also hug a beech tree that grows from a large stone and as a guard leans over the stone circle. Listen to and watch in silence... maybe you'll get lucky and see the forest fairies!
- 2. Fairy gathering
2. Fairy gathering
2. Fairy gathering
3. Love stone
A rock in the shape of a heart, measuring 150 x 200 cm, is comprised of two stones which lean on each other, symbolising love, partnership and mutual support. The deeper message of the painted rock is love and the unity of man and nature.
If you visit this place with your partner, touch the rocks together or lean on them and soak up the atmosphere of this place.
If you are single you can still enjoy this place, and if you long to find the love of your life, maybe the nature in some strange way realizes your wish...
The nearby meadow with a little pond in the shape of a heart is a cute place for romantic picnics and can become a meeting place, not only for wild animals such as roe deer, deer, wild boars, foxes, wolves, bears and others that come for the watering and grazing, but also for humans as refreshing point.
Puddles in the past played an important role as a watering hole for cattle. Today, they are left to decay because fewer people are engaged in animal husbandry. Puddles and their maintenance are important for biodiversity conservation because it entails a rich world of water and marsh plants and aquatic invertebrates.
4. Stone mound
Hemispherical stone mound (∅ = 160 cm) with painted capstone and two branches directs hikers on the right path.
On the grassy slope opposite the stone mound some larch trees grow. This is the only place on Land art trail with the larches. Larch is one of the few conifers that in winter releases its needles. In early spring the female cone-like flowers attract with its red color.
5. Palm prints
This land art (actually rock art) carries a message of the positive impact of man on nature.
The pasture Sapaćica as well as other pastures on Učka did not occur naturally but from the millennia of man’s activities, deforestation and sheep grazing. Over time, the new ecosystem stabilized with meadow plants and animals. Because of the distinctive and rich flora and fauna, grasslands are a significant reservoir of biodiversity of wildlife. Today, this ecosystem is threatened due to the emigration of people from Učka and neglecting of traditional activities. Meadows are unfortunately less used for pasture and as hayfield so they gradually overgrow with forests, and many meadow species are threatened with disappearance.
The palm prints on the rock measuring 2.2 x 11.5 m want to show the actions of human hands that have left a positive impact on the colorfulness (biodiversity) of the natural world.
6. Sheep geoglyphs
In a symbolic way the sheep geoglyphs return the flocks to the pastures and represent the indigenous Istrian species – Pramenka, on pastures which were once used for grazing in the past.
The area of origin and cultivation of Istrian sheep Pramenka is our largest peninsula of Istria, according to which this breed got its name. It is the most lactic Croatian original breed of sheep. Sheep are usually colorful or black and white, rarely completely black, while there are the smallest number of completely white individuals. As their milk contains an average of 7% fat, it is mostly used to make traditional semi-hard, full-fat cheese and curd.
Ram: 7.5 x 7.6 m
Ewe: 5.9 x 6.8 m
7. Red tree
The message of this land art is the negative impact of humans on nature. The gas pipeline, powerline, transmitters, radar, road, the Učka tunnel – all of these are artificial structures which unnaturally stick out amidst the mountain beauty. And so this red tree 5.5 m high, located on high ground in the middle of Sapaćica pasture, between the route of the gas pipeline and power line, unnaturally dominates the landscape, transmitting a message about our destruction of nature.
Still, it draws attention, attracts and invites you to sit beside it and enjoy the view of Učka and the hills of Ćićarija.
Red section of the trail
8. Stone teeth
The bare stone surface stands out like a stain in relation to the surrounding grass, whilst numerous stone teeth protrude into the air. There are 23 teeth 20-50 cm high on 4.5 x 5.0 m surface area.
The golden painted teeth send a message that the eternal force of nature can very well "show its teeth" if humans go too far with their destruction.
9. Triangle & Glagolitic stone
Stone triangle measuring 245 x 280 cm. Its peaks direct hikers to pasture Sapaćica and Poklon (Entrance 1), to Stražica (Entrance 2) and to a rest stop on Little viewpoint (Mali vidikovac).
If you look carefully at the triangle, as well as at the nearby scattered stones you'll find spiral fossils of planktonic foraminifera.
Little viewpoint offers a view of The Raven Reef and Istria. Down in Istria are the towns of Roč and Hum, and between them passes the Glagolitic Alley, artistic memory of the Glagolitic history of this region. For this reason, on a small rock just opposite a bench, verse of Boris Pecigoš’ poem is written in the Glagolitic alphabet:
I am the king of the high mountain,
of the rock from the sea emerged,
its eons are like short days, and I,
I'm just a breath of little significance.
- 9. Triangle & Glagolitic stone
9.1. Triangle
9.2. Glagolitic stone
10. Labyrinth
The geoglyph in the labyrinth shape (∅ = 11 m) directs you to stay on the right path on the sharp turn of the trail. It also points to the trail which leads to the Gornji vidikovac (Upper viewpoint) with the view of Istria, the geomorphological natural monument of the Vela Draga canyon and the main Učka massif.
Geoglyphs are the form of land art, motives “drawn” on the ground, usually by stones or similar permanent landscape elements, such as gravel, soil, planted plants, hedges or trees. The term petroform is also used for the forms made of superimposed pieces of freestanding stones.
Labyrinths are complex forms of path leading to the center and back, and mazes are wide networks that require resourcefulness and orientation to find out the exit. The famous ancient labyrinths like Minoan on Crete, Roman mazes, labyrinths in medieval Christian cathedrals, and even todays labyrinths in certain circles, are given spiritual significance – circling the winding paths of the labyrinth to its center represents the quest for answers and the journey to the center of the soul, coming into the center of labyrinth symbolizes contact with the divine and the acquisition of knowledge or insight, and then follows the return and realization of acquired insights. Labyrinth can be shown on a drawing or picture, but if it is made in the form of geoglyph (petroform) falls under land art.
11. Stone playground
Given the abundant source of broken stones, here you can play with the building of your own land art – pillar, mound, pyramid, circle, spiral or other shape as you want. It is an excellent way to stimulate your own creativity!
Through taking and stacking stones you achieve a direct tactile contact with nature, which is the main theme of this artistic-environmental project.
12. Spiral geoglyph
The spiral geoglyph (∅ = 13.5 m) has been made following the cross section of the spiral shell of a fossilised foraminifera (nummulite), which, if you look a little carefully, can be found in the nearby scattered rocks on this rocky viewpoint (Donji vidikovac / Lower viewpoint) with views of the summit ridge of Učka, Stražica cliff, Vela Draga canyon and Istria.
Učka and Ćićarija are built of limestone rock which had been forming by long-lasting deposition of limestone skeletons of planktonic organisms in the then Tethys Ocean in the Cretaceous period of 140 million years ago until the mid-Tertiary, 30 million years ago. A collision of the African and European plates rises Alps and the Dinarides, whose integral part are Učka and Ćićarija. Therefore, today, in this place, at a height of over 900 meters above sea level we can find the remains of organisms that once lived in the deep sea.
- 12. Spiral geoglyph
12. Spiral geoglyph
12. Spiral geoglyph
Violet section of the trail
13. Stone forest
In the place where the forest has been completely cleared there only remain sad stumps as a reminder of the impressive trees that once grew here and provided homes for numerous forest creatures. The land art installations here are a direct artistic reminder of the damage that arises due to the reckless and excessive cutting down of trees.
On several stumps there are painted stones that represent the soul of the missing trees, but also the seed of new life that emerges from the desolation of human activity. This points to the power of nature to be renewed and that is impossible to destroy nature.
- 13. Stone forest
13. Stone forest
13. Stone forest
14. Rock painting on the cliff
The theme of this large rock painting (petroglyph measuring 300 x 300 cm) are lichens, their diversity and importance to the eco-system. Rock painting can be seen already from the main road, but you can get closer by the short branch trail, touch the rock art and enjoy under the Stražica cliff.
The lichens are extremely sensitive to human activities such as pollution and forest clearance. Due to the loss of habitats, changes in the microclimatic conditions and pollution of the air they have become endangered. Knowledge of the lihenoflore contributes to the knowledge of biodiversity in general and is an important bioindicator of different environmental conditions.
15. & 16. Moss I & II
The petroglyph painted on a small stone (36 x 36 cm) opposite the bench draws attention to moss, which has overgrown on the mass of stones on the rock creep under the Stražica cliffs. The place seems a bit like a fairytale. In the immediate vicinity there is a painted rock mosaic (290 x 450 cm), partly covered with moss. Both rock paintings are inspired by the intricate forms of moss sporangia (capsules with spores) and peristomes (openings of capsules).
There is a widespread misconception that moss grows on the north side of trees and rocks, and that it can determine the north. Moss grows in shady, moist areas regardless of the orientation of the habitat. This area, for example, faces the west.
- 15. & 16. Moss I & II
15. Moss I
16. Moss II
17. & 18. Monolith with a spiral motif I & II
The theme of this point is the spiral as a basic form of nature that appears from the microcosm to the macrocosm.
The spiral form is present in DNA, in the shells of foraminifera that build the limestone rocks of Učka, in snail shells, in the twists of young fern leaves and other plants, in water eddies and large atmospheric cyclones, and in the shape of galaxies.
The first monolith (155 x 195 cm) is located along the trail and a spiral form alludes to the building elements of rocks of Učka and Ćićarija – the invisible spiral microfossils, that artistic work in this way makes it visible.
The second monolith (250 x 180 cm) is a little indented in the woods, and the spiral deals with ferns. After reflection on the rock paintings go beyond the monolith to a little rest area, or even climb the monolith and enjoy a different perspective of the forest.
- 17. & 18. Monolith with a spiral motif I & II
17. Monolith with a spiral motif I
18. Monolith with a spiral motif II
Pink section of the trail
This is short, blind branch of the Land art trail. It goes from the Entrance 2 to the Krog viewpoint on the Stražica cliff (1001 m), and along that branch there is only one land art installation. After visiting Krog, you must get back to the Entrance 2, and then continue the trail by following orange markings.
19. Sentinel
Land art installation made of acacia logs appropriately reminiscents of the sentinel (guard) because it is located on the rise to the Krog viewpoint on Stražica. Stražica took its name from the observation points from the Uskok-Venetian War in the 17th century. The remains are visible along the elongated ridge in the form of dry stone walls and little artificially levelled clearings.
Krog viewpoint at an altitude of 1001 m offers a view of the western slopes of Učka, Istria and the Josephine Road, named in honour of Emperor Joseph II, who had it built at the end of the 18th century. The road connected Kvarner and Istria over the Poklon pass until the opening of the tunnel Učka in 1981.
Logs: 230 x 45 x 30 cm
Orange section of the trail
The orange section of the Land Art Trail connects Entrance 2 with Entrance 1. Follow the orange markings through the forest and they will return you to Poklon, where you started your journey.
20. Grassy plateau
On the grassy plateau above a steep slope (on “the balcony”) there is a simple small geoglyph with multilayered symbolism of the circle and the center (∅ = 5.5 m).
The place by itself can be a pleasant resting place – inside the circle or on a small elevation on which a big tree is growing. The tree invites you to hug it with gratitude to nature, and the entire site serves as a farewell to the forest before returning to the Poklon and into civilization.
Conclusion
Messages that these works in the form of land art and rock art convey, their psychological and emotional impact, spiritual significance and importance for man's benefit that exceeds the purely artistic and aesthetic enjoyment in the works, show that the land art is far more than art because it used to contain spiritual values, rituals and for humans important contact with nature.
The oldest rock and cave drawings, paintings and petroglyphs, which regularly appear throughout history in almost every "primitive" art, as well as the geoglyphs and monolithic structures of many ancient civilizations, can easily be classified as a precursors to land art as an artistic and conceptual movement that occurred in the 1960s in the US.
The whole Land art trail project can be described as an artistic, ecological and spiritual experience intended for visitors of the trail, where the artworks came to life under the influence of the mountain environment and its natural specificity, with elements of mythology and folklore that follow the concept of the artist's work. Rock art, as the dominant part of the project, incorporates the ancient influences with new artistic practices and materials, and extends the concept of land art itself.
- Land Art Trail on Mt. Učka in winter
Love stone
Palm prints
Red tree
Glagolitic stone
Rock painting on the cliff
Stay safe
Signposts and markings
In order to not get lost, follow the signposts and special markings in five colors (green, red, violet, pink, orange) along the trail.
As this is not an ordinary hiking trail but art walk, signposts on the trail are also designed in art manner. Handprint with the labyrinth is the logo of Land art trail and is located at the entrance signposts, but also on those that show the branches of trail that lead to some indented land art points. The palms with the labyrinth mark each land art point on the trail map too.
Map of the Land art trail
The detailed map of Land art trail shows two entrances on Poklon pass on Mt. Učka, location of 20 land art and rock art works, four viewpoints, two restaurants, toilet and Info-center of Učka Nature Park.
The trail itself is marked with special markings in five colors (green, red, violet, pink, orange), so following the map you’ll know exactly where you are on the trail.
- There is a version of the Trail Map that you can download.
Emergency
In case of emergency, call The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service on 112.
Go next
After you visit the trail you can go to one of the restaurants located near the entrances to the trail (see the map). "Restaurant & Pansion Učka" /🌍 / is near the main Entrance 1 at Poklon. There you can rent a room too. "Restaurant Dopolavoro" /🌍 / is near the Entrance 2.
On Mt. Učka you can visit the following interesting trails and attractions:
- Vojak, the highest peak of Mt. Učka (1401 m) /🌍 /. You can go there by car or on foot from Poklon pass. It is possible to visit the peak in the same day as Land art trail, because Vojak is in its viccinity. If you want to go there by car, follow the narrow road for Vojak, which from main road turns south at the Entrance 2, and drive for about 5.7 km. If you want to go there on foot, the best hiking trail starts on Poklon, near the Entrance 1 and Info-center of Učka Nature Park. You will need about 1.5 - 2 hours to get to the top on 1401 m, starting from an altitude of 922 m at Poklon. On the top is The Vojak Tower, built in 1911 to benefit from the mountain’s panoramic views of Istria, the Kvarner Bay with the islands, the mountains in the Gorski kotar area, Mt. Velebit, the Alps, and Italy. In The Vojak Tower there is a souvenir shop.
- Canyon of Vela Draga /🌍 /. In order to visit this canyon you must drive by car about 5.1 km to Istria, from the Entrance 2 (or 5.9 km form the Entrance 1). The parking lot is on the left, 180 m after you pass the underpass of highway E751. It is possible to visit the canyon in the same day as Land art trail. The canyon has been protected as a geomorphological nature monument. The short educational trail passes along the edge of the canyon. Above the canyon is a well-tended vantage point where walkers can rest for a while and admire the view of the limestone towers. The more demanding part of the trail descends from this vantage point to the feet of the stone towers and the bottom of the canyon. The trail is about 2 km long, and you will need 1 - 1.5 hours for the tour.
- Veprinac /🌍 /. If you come from the direction of Rijeka or Opatija, on your way to Land art trail you pass through small village of Veprinac. It is worth stopping by medieval St. Mark church, situated on the prominent hill. From there you'll have a wide view of the Kvarner Bay.
- The Trebišća-Perun history and mythology trail /🌍 /. This trail is on the far away side of the mountain. It starts in small city of Mošćenička Draga on the coast of Kvarner Bay. The trail is 15 km long, and you will need at least 7 hours for it. It goes from the sea level to the altitude of 880 m, through a deep gorge, up to the peak of Perun. It has long been supposed that these slopes of Mt. Učka had very special significance for the first Slavic settlers. Today it is known that this area was chosen as the site for their most sacred beliefs, the stage for ancient mythical events on which the cycle of life and natural changes, crucial to human existence, were based. In addition to the Slavic mythic dimension of this area, you will also learn more about this area’s natural landscape and the history of the hard way in which people used to live here.