Brušane offers hikes in the Takalica and Konjevača areas, as well as traces of cultural history in the village and its surroundings. When planning, it is worth taking a closer look at the different hiking destinations: one route offers a choice of two distances, while the other gives an approximate walking time for the uphill leg. The stream, springs and vegetation along the trails also give the landscape its distinctive character.
Hikes from Brušane
The Brušane–Rizvanuša–Brušane trail starts in Brušani at the beginning of the climb to Takalica. There are two options for this hike: a short route of 14 kilometres and a long one of 24 kilometres. This lets you begin planning based on distance. After three kilometres, the trail reaches the Suvaja stream. Right beside it, a small covered wooden hut offers a place to stop and rest. Before setting out, check local trail conditions and take them into account when planning your breaks.
Another hike leads from Brušane to Konjevača. Its starting point is at the end of the village, below Takalica. The uphill leg is estimated to take about three and a half hours; the actual time depends on conditions and your own pace. From the summit of Konjevača, visibility permitting, you can see towards almost all the Velebit peaks, although weather affects visibility.
The two hiking destinations can be compared using different details: the Brušane–Rizvanuša–Brušane route is listed as either 14 or 24 kilometres, while the uphill leg to Konjevača takes about three and a half hours. These figures describe different aspects of the hikes. Together with the destination, they can help you choose a hike to suit your travel schedule, without treating the two figures as equivalent.
Stream, Vegetation and Springs
Hawthorn, hornbeam, dog rose, hazel, Austrian pine and beech grow along the Brušane–Rizvanuša–Brušane trail. This specific range of species adds another perspective on the landscape: the hike can be understood not only in terms of its distance and the resting place by the Suvaja, but also through the trees and shrubs that line the route.
Several named springs lie in the area around Brušane: Rimsko vrelo, Pavlinovo vrelo, Košna voda, Škvadra and Zobine. Rimsko vrelo is considered an attractive spot for visitors today. The springs form a topic in their own right alongside the hikes described here; their names can help you explore the landscape around Brušane through its natural features as well.
Church and Historic Roads
The Church of St Martin the Bishop in Brušane is classified as immovable cultural heritage in the category of sacred buildings. Its history goes back to a pre-Ottoman-era church that lay in ruins after the liberation of Lika. A new Church of St Martin is mentioned as early as the late 17th century. A Glagolitic inscription bearing the year 1512 is found on the church threshold. The classification, historical references and inscription provide different clues to the building’s history.
Historic roads are also among the traces of the village’s past. The Karolinška road from Gospić to Bag ran through Brušane. This is distinct from the Gospić–Karlobag road, which was built in 1787 and later improved with hairpin bends between 1844 and 1850. The two references to roads point to different historic connections. Together with the church’s history, they give Brušane a cultural dimension alongside its hiking destinations and landscape features.
Discover more destinations: Ostrvica, Klanac, Mogorić, Budak, Donje Pazariste, Gospić, Trnovac, Smiljan.
See the regional travel overview: Općina Gospić.
