Viš

Viš — also known locally as Kula — is a scenic hilltop in the Bilogora range and the highest point of the Pitomača municipality, rising right above the village of Mala Črešnjevica in Croatia.

How high is Viš, and exactly where does it sit?

At 288 metres above sea level, Viš is the highest summit in the Pitomača municipality and one of the taller points of the entire Bilogora range (the range's overall high point, Rajčevica, reaches 309 metres). Bilogora itself is Croatia's lowest hill range, yet one of the most extensive by area — covered in deciduous forest and partly protected under the Natura 2000 bird network. The village of Mala Črešnjevica, the southeasternmost and most remote settlement in the Pitomača municipality, sits at the foot of the hill and serves as the natural trailhead.

How do you get to the top?

A marked hiking trail called "Zeleno srce" ("Green Heart") leads from Mala Črešnjevica to the summit. It was opened in June 2022 by the local recreational society "Zeleno srce" from Pitomača, timed to the municipality's patron-day celebrations (Vidovo). The route runs roughly 8.5 kilometres and is promoted as suitable for hikers of every age and fitness level — it's short and undemanding, making it a good fit for families with children. Beyond Viš, the same trail continues toward a forest lodge (lugarnica) on the nearby rise of Babičanka, so more energetic walkers can extend the outing through further stretches of Bilogora's woodland. Driving is the most practical way to reach the village itself, since the area is rural with scattered farmhouses.

What will you find at the summit?

A tower, locally called "kula," stands at the top — the very structure that gives the hill its alternate name, Kula. It is registered as part of the international EUREF geodetic reference network and counts among just 78 permanent geodetic points in Croatia, a small but genuine curiosity for anyone interested in surveying and mapping. Benches are placed beside the tower, giving hikers a spot to rest while taking in the fields, woodlands, and scattered settlements of the surrounding Bilogora hills.

When is the best time to visit?

Since Bilogora is covered in deciduous forest, autumn brings vivid colour to the trail, while spring offers the clearest views and the most comfortable temperatures for a longer walk. In summer, it's worth setting out early in the morning before the heat sets in, since the trail runs through open, sun-exposed terrain. The "Zeleno srce" trail is presented as an easy, year-round route, making it equally suited to a short family walk or a longer day combined with cycling on the surrounding Bilogora roads.

What about the village of Mala Črešnjevica itself?

It is one of the oldest and most remote villages in the Pitomača municipality, home to about 155 residents in 2021 — down sharply from a peak of 500 in 1931. The village church, dedicated to St. Nedjelja, has a churchyard where the parents of the Croatian poet Petar Preradović are buried. Its neighbours are Velika Črešnjevica, Grabrovnica and Kozarevac, together forming a quiet, agricultural corner of Bilogora.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Viš? The hill reaches 288 metres above sea level and is the highest point in the Pitomača municipality.

Is Viš the same place as Kula? Yes — local sources refer to the hill both as Viš and Kula, the latter name coming from the tower standing at the summit.

Where does the hike to Viš start? From the village of Mala Črešnjevica, following the marked "Zeleno srce" trail.

Is the trail family-friendly? Yes, the 8.5-kilometre "Zeleno srce" route is described as easy and accessible to hikers of all ages.