Tuhobić

Tuhobić is a grassy peak reaching 1,109 m above sea level, rising above the town of Hreljin in Gorski Kotar, right behind the Kvarner Gulf coast in Croatia. It sits on a ridge that runs roughly 8.5 km from northwest to southeast, between Gornje Jelenje and Benkovac Fužinski. The same ridge carries several other named tops — Straža (984 m), Strgarnica (1,098 m) and Jelenčić (1,106 m) — which makes the area a popular target for full-day ridge hikes.

How do you get to Tuhobić?

The easiest approach by car is via the A7 motorway to the Matulji interchange, then down toward Meja and Hreljin. A local road through these villages leads to the hamlet of Plase, where a small car park sits next to the railway station — the natural starting point for the walk up. The trail from Plase is moderately demanding, running through forest before opening onto the grassy upper ridge.

An alternative route starts from Gornje Jelenje and follows a gentler line along the crest; this approach takes about two hours and is considered easier than the climb from Plase. Tuhobić is also a checkpoint on the "Trejset i pet" circular trail, established in 2020, which lets hikers combine the summit with a longer loop over the surrounding tops. Trails in the area are maintained by the Planinarsko društvo "Tuhobić" (Tuhobić Mountaineering Society), based in Rijeka.

What will you see at the top?

The summit itself is a wide grassy dome topped with a concrete geodetic pillar, plus a smaller marker with a benchmark plate on its southern side — the traditional spot where hikers sign the summit logbook kept in a metal box. Because the top is open grassland rather than forest, the view stretches in every direction.

Tuhobić is known for an unusually sharp climatic and landscape boundary: the southern, coastal-facing slope is steep, grassy and rocky, while the northern side, dropping toward the Lepenica valley, is steep and densely forested. From the summit you can pick out Rijeka Bay, the Učka massif, Snježnik, Risnjak and Medviđak, and on clear days the lower-lying Lepenica and Bajer lakes together with the distant motorway.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring through early autumn is the best window, when the grassy slopes are dry and visibility toward the coast is at its best. Because the ridge is exposed and open to wind, it's worth checking the forecast beforehand — strong sea-driven wind can make the final grassy stretch to the summit noticeably harder going.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Tuhobić? The peak reaches 1,109 m above sea level, making it one of the highest points on the ridge stretching between Gornje Jelenje and Benkovac Fužinski.

How long does the climb take? From Gornje Jelenje the walk takes about two hours along a gentler ridge trail; the route from Plase is shorter but steeper.

Is there anything to see at the summit besides the view? Yes — a concrete geodetic pillar, a benchmark marker, and a metal box holding the summit logbook where hikers leave an entry.

Is the trail suitable for beginners? The route from Gornje Jelenje is fairly gentle and manageable for moderately fit hikers, while the Plase approach requires better fitness due to its steeper grade.