Obelisk Cirkul – Breathtaking View on the Road to Gorski Kotar

📍 Location: Historic Lujzijana Road

Heading inland from the coast toward Zagreb? Or the other way around? Skip the highway and take the scenic historic Lujzijana route. 🚗🌲 Along this slower but stunning road, landscapes shift from coastal curves to mountain slopes, revealing hidden gems. One of the first and most memorable stops is Obeliks Cirkul — a natural viewpoint where a wide road curve opens up to a dramatic panorama. You’ll know exactly when to pull over.

From Dalmatia (Split, Zadar, Šibenik), drive north on the A1, exit near Novi Vinodolski, and follow smaller inland roads toward Cirkul — winding through villages and hills, this route is scenic and rewarding. From Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč), cross the Učka tunnel and near Rijeka switch from the main coastal road to the smaller inland route that climbs toward Cirkul. If you’re coming from Zagreb and continental Croatia, take the A6 toward Rijeka, exit near Fužine or Oštrovica, and descend via the historic Lujzijana road to reach the viewpoint.

🔭 What You’ll See from the Obeliks Cirkul Viewpoint

🏔️ Grobnik Plain & Grobnik Alps: A wide valley (Grobničko polje) framed by jagged Grobnik Alps, glowing gold in summer and dusted with snow in winter.

🌊 Kvarner Bay & Distant Sea: Even in the highlands, a slice of the Adriatic peeks through the hills, shimmering blue on clear days.

🌳 Layers of Hills & Forests: Rolling wooded hills mark the gateway to Gorski Kotar, Croatia’s green heart and mountain escape.

⏰ Best Time to Visit

• ☀️ Summer: Between 8 AM–12 PM or around 5 PM–sunset for golden hour magic, when the valley glows in soft orange tones
• ❄️ Winter: Visit before 4 PM; avoid foggy, rainy, or windy days as visibility can drop and driving conditions may be tricky 🌬️

💡 Why Visit?

For travelers who prefer winding roads over highways and panoramic moments over crowded spots, Obeliks Cirkul feels like it was placed just for you. 🌿 Quiet, unmarked, and completely free, this hidden gem marks where the sea waves goodbye and the mountains begin to rise. 🏔️✨