Metlača

Metlača is a hill in Lika-Senj County, Croatia, rising directly above the village of Kaluđerovac in the municipality of Perušić, right in the heart of the Lika region. It shelters the village that sits on the bank of the Lika River and forms one of five peaks featured on a popular hiking route near Grabovača Cave Park.

How do you get to Metlača?

The starting point is Entrance 2 of Grabovača Cave Park, located about 2.5 km from the center of Perušić. From there, a marked trail forms part of the "Pet vrhova" (Five Peaks) route, roughly 30 km long in total, linking Metlača with the nearby peak of Oštra and other elevations in the area. Cars can reach Perušić itself or drive directly to Kaluđerovac, from where the path climbs the hillside.

What will you see along the way?

From the summit of Metlača, panoramic views open up over the Lika River valley and the surrounding hills of the Perušić highlands. Along the "Pet vrhova" route, each of the five peaks holds a stamping point for a hiking logbook — a popular way for visitors to document completing the whole route, favored by families with children and hiking enthusiasts alike.

At the foot of the hill lies Kaluđerovac, a village worth visiting in its own right. It was once a pottery-making settlement — as late as the early 20th century, residents shaped clay vessels here and carried them by horse across Lika and Krbava all the way to Dalmatia, earning a living despite scarce farmland. Today only a handful of residents remain, mostly retirees who returned to their family homes, but the village has preserved its authentic rural architecture and the Church of St. Nicholas. The area is also notable for otters, which have returned to the Lika River flowing at the base of Metlača in recent years.

The region is further known for its rich karst landscape — Grabovača Cave Park alone contains a quarter of all protected speleological sites in Croatia, including the illuminated Samograd Cave, open to visitors since as far back as 1889. Together, Metlača, Grabovača, and the Risovac gorge form the protected "Risovac–Grabovača" landscape, valued for its geological and natural significance.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring, summer, and early autumn are the best times to climb Metlača, when trails are dry and views over the Lika valley are clearest. In summer, organized group hikes along the "Pet vrhova" route, including toward Oštra and Metlača, are sometimes arranged, making it easier to explore the area alongside local guides and hiking clubs. In winter, the trail can be harder to access due to snow and the low temperatures typical of inland Lika.

Frequently asked questions

Is climbing Metlača difficult? No advanced mountaineering skills are needed — it's a moderate hill climb suitable for averagely fit hikers, including families with children.

How long does the "Pet vrhova" route take? The full route covers roughly 30 km linking five peaks, so it's usually split into a longer day or several shorter outings; reaching Metlača alone can be treated as a separate, shorter trip.

What else is worth seeing besides the hill itself? Definitely the village of Kaluđerovac, with its pottery-making history and the Church of St. Nicholas, and Grabovača Cave Park with Samograd Cave, one of the oldest speleological sites in Croatia open to the public.

Is accommodation available nearby? Yes, apartments and private rooms are available in Perušić itself and surrounding villages, including some located directly in the Metlača area.