Visiting Ozalj, Croatia
Along the Kupa River, the landscape tells a story of dynamic, living ecosystems shaped by water. These floodplain forests ā black and white alder upstream, mixed with narrow-leaved ash and common oak downstream ā thrive in areas that regularly flood or sit above rich underground waters.
Further along the river youāll find crystal-clear sections with underwater Ranunculus (water crowfoot) and water-starwort, true aquatic plants that signal exceptionally clean, unaltered waters. And in the karst springs, tufa deposits form through the āpetrificationā of living organisms, creating tiny but fascinating moss-rich habitats.
A beautiful reminder of why places like this need protection ā from both climate shifts and human interference. Nature here is resilient, intricate, and worth preserving. š§šš·
This railway š section should reopen in 2026. ā¬ļø
The KarlovacāOzalj section (approx. 14 km) is undergoing full renovation as part of a cross-border project to revive the historic KarlovacāMetlika (Slovenia) line.
Works started in 2025, focusing on track reconstruction, station upgrades, and safety improvements. According to HŽ Infrastruktura and local authorities, the first trains are expected to run again by the end of 2026, restoring passenger service to Ozalj after years of limited or no trains.
This is the initial phase; the more challenging Ozaljāborder stretch will follow later. The project aims to improve regional connectivity, tourism, and sustainable transport along the scenic Kupa River valley.
Unlike the long-closed SamoborÄek (1979) and the Kumrovec line (out of passenger service since 2000), the OzaljāMetlika railway is under consideration for restoration, but as of 2026 train service has not yet resumed and replacement buses remain in operation.
