Kasonjski Vrh

Kasonjski Vrh is a hill rising above the village of Brodski Drenovac, which is administratively part of the City of Pleternica in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. Geographic databases list the summit at 359 m above sea level (with a topographic prominence of about 166 m), though trail markers and hiking route descriptions often show it as "Kasonjski Vrh 353 m" — a small discrepancy common for hills of this size, depending on the measurement method used. It stands among the low, wooded hills surrounding the Požega valley, alongside the Psunj, Papuk, Krndija and Dilj ranges.

How to get there?

Most trails to the summit start right in Brodski Drenovac, a village of 532 residents according to the 2021 census. By car, the village is reached via local roads from either Pleternica or Oriovac, both within a dozen or so kilometres. The nearest larger town is Požega, roughly half an hour's drive away. From the village centre, a marked footpath climbs the slope toward the summit, with signposts along the entire route.

What will you see on the trail?

The most popular loop leads from Brodski Drenovac over the hill of Vračanica (265 m) to Kasonjski Vrh (353 m), then on to the Planinarska kuća Viljevo mountain shelter and the summit of Viljevo (297 m), before returning to the starting point. The full circuit covers about 11.2 km, takes around 3 hours on average, and gains roughly 345 m in elevation — placing it in the medium-difficulty category, manageable for anyone with an average fitness level. The path winds through forested slopes typical of the Požega hills, opening up in places to views over the valley and the neighbouring ranges. The quiet of the forest and the absence of crowds make this a spot best suited to hikers looking for a peaceful walk rather than mass tourism.

For those after a longer challenge, the local hiking club HPD Gojzerica organises an annual memorial trek called "Od Premužića do Štampara," running through Oriovac – Kasonjski Vrh – Brodski Drenovac – Oriovac over roughly 17 km. The hills surrounding Požega — which besides Kasonjski Vrh also include the Psunj, Papuk, Krndija and Dilj ranges — are covered by a network of marked trails, making the area a good base for several days of day hikes.

When to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for the hike, offering comfortable temperatures for a multi-hour walk and the most scenic forest colours — fresh green in spring, turning leaves in autumn. In summer, the open sections of the trail can get quite sunny, so an early morning start is worth planning. In winter the path remains passable, but muddy patches and slippery forest sections can slow the pace.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Kasonjski Vrh? Geographic databases put the summit at 359 m above sea level, although hiking trail signage often shows 353 m.

Where is the best starting point for the trail? The village of Brodski Drenovac is the natural starting point, with a marked loop trail leading via Vračanica to the summit and on to Viljevo.

How long does it take to reach the top? The full loop of about 11.2 km takes roughly 3 hours on average, depending on fitness level and pace.

Is the trail difficult? The route is rated medium difficulty — an elevation gain of around 345 m is manageable for anyone with average fitness, with no prior mountain hiking experience required.