Kunagora

Kunagora is a hill in Kostel, part of the Pregrada municipality in Croatia's Krapina-Zagorje County. Its peak reaches 522 metres above sea level, making it one of the region's best-known lookout points in the Zagorje hills.

Where does the name come from?

The name Kunagora (also written as Kuna gora) combines two words: "kuna," referring to the marten, a weasel-family mammal, and "gora," meaning mountain or hill. The area was historically associated with martens living on its slopes, long before it became a hiking destination.

What is there to see at the top?

On the slope of Kunagora, at roughly 405 metres, stand the ruins of Kostelgrad, a medieval fortress with an elliptical layout made up of a two-wing palace enclosed by courtyards and defensive walls with three small semicircular towers plus one artillery tower. The fortress is believed to have been built around the middle of the 13th century, with the first documented mention dating to 1330. Its golden age came under the Keglević noble family, who renovated the castle and made it their residence, living there until the 17th century. Today the best-preserved part of the complex is the artillery tower, while the rest of the walls remain in a state of ruin.

Closer to the summit, at around 380 metres, sits a mountain lodge built in 1953 on the south-eastern slope. Next to the lodge stands a small chapel — the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kunagora — which was restored and reopened in August 2006 together with a new throne for the statue. Traces of a former hunting post and hunting lodge also remain in the surrounding area.

How do you get to Kunagora?

The hill sits right next to Pregrada, a small town in the Zagorje region, and most marked hiking trails start from there. Trail marking and maintenance on Kunagora and the surrounding Kostel hills is handled by the Croatian Mountaineering Association Kunagora (HPD Kunagora), based in Pregrada, which also runs the local mountain lodge. Reaching the summit is a straightforward, technically undemanding walk suitable for most hikers, and it pairs naturally with a short detour to the Kostelgrad ruins.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to its moderate elevation and the mild continental climate of Zagorje, Kunagora can be visited throughout most of the hiking season, from spring through autumn. The local mountaineering association regularly organises group hikes to the summit and to Kostelgrad, making the area a popular weekend destination for hiking clubs from across Croatia.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Kunagora? The summit of Kunagora reaches 522 metres above sea level.

What can you find on Kunagora besides the viewpoint? The slope holds the ruins of the medieval Kostelgrad fortress, while further down there is a mountain lodge from 1953 and a restored chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Kunagora.

Where does the hill's name come from? The name combines "kuna" (marten) and "gora" (mountain), reflecting the historical presence of martens on the hillside.

Who maintains the trails and lodge on Kunagora? The trails, waymarking and mountain lodge are managed by the Croatian Mountaineering Association Kunagora, based in nearby Pregrada.