Šestine – Sljeme (HPD trail)
To reach the start of the trail, take tram line 14 toward Mihaljevac. From Mihaljevac, continue by bus line 102 for four stops, to the intersection of Mlinovi street and Potočani street.
Walk up Potočani street past the sculpture of the Šestine washerwoman until you reach the entrance to the forest and trail no. 52. This may be the most challenging part of the trail, as you need to overcome a 100-metre elevation gain within just half a kilometre.
At the very beginning, the trail gently ascends in a leftward curve toward Brebrok hill and continues along its western slope. After about 15 minutes, you’ll reach a rock with the date “18 V 1930” (May 18th, 1930) carved into it – believed to mark the trail’s construction.
As you continue uphill, you’ll reach the wooded area of Javornica in about half an hour. For most of the forest section, you’ll catch glimpses of the Medvedgrad fortress. The incline gradually becomes steeper and more challenging until you reach a junction with a wide forest path. This trail leads left toward the southern base of Brestovac hill (also called Cer). You’ll pass two water source markers, but water is scarce here and typically dries up in the summer. After about 10 minutes on a flatter section, you’ll reach another junction with a wide forest trail coming from Kraljičin Zdenac (Queen’s Spring). Turn sharply right along the western side of Brestovac. You’ve now covered 3 kilometres and reached an elevation of 670 metres – roughly halfway. Kraljičin Zdenac is behind you on the left, and you now begin ascending toward the former Brestovac sanatorium. About 50 metres ahead, the trail turns left and becomes a beautiful narrow dirt path, which eventually widens into a forest road used for logging.
After about a kilometre (or 30 minutes of easy walking), you’ll reach a junction with a trail leading to the ruins of the former Brestovac sanatorium. You emerge on the northern slope of Brestovac hill at a small forest clearing. A signpost on the right points toward the sanatorium, and at the trailhead, you’ll spot a dilapidated cottage at the entrance to the Brestovac complex. This is a good spot to rest, as a steeper climb lies ahead.
Trail no. 52 continues straight north and intersects with trail no. 40, which comes from the mid-station of the Sljeme cable car and heads toward Žensko Sedlo. At this point, the trail gradually shifts from a wide forest road into a narrow, steep path that leads all the way to Sljemenska Cesta road, where you’ll see the cable car. Walk toward the cable car and along its right side, and you’ll quickly reach Sljeme, the summit of Medvednica.
