THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MOST PRESERVED FOREST IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
On the forested Kalifront Peninsula, you will see Dundo Forest, the largest, the most beautiful and the most preserved native local holm oak forest in the entire Mediterranean.
THE GREATEST NATURAL RESOURCE OF THE ISLAND
This unique European forest reserve with an area of 106 ha was protected in 1949. It stretches from the coastline at the Kristofor Bay up to 80 m above sea level and represents the greatest natural resource of the Island of Rab, in addition to its sea and beaches.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TREES WERE CUT DURING WORLD WAR II
Holm oak trees measuring up to 1m in diameter, with the volume measuring 3m and up to 20m high were growing in the thick Dundo Forest until World War II, when the most beautiful trees were cut.
EASY HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS
The Kalifront Peninsula is the favourite destination of cyclists, with a number of easy trails leading to the very waterfront, as well as of the families with small children who enjoy cycling along the trails protected from the sun by dense treetops.
PLANT AND WILDLIFE DIVERSITY
As the sun sets, you will find a complete peace in the forest and hear some 'strange' sounds and noises and discern the sound of the little owl. The forest is abundant in mushroom varieties. The most interesting mushroom is the bright orange seductive mushroom the fruiting bodies of which glow in the dark.
ALMOST LIKE A JUNGLE
Specific parts of the forests are almost inaccessible, and due to the thick treetops letting in little light, it is shady and dark.
WHAT WAS RAB NAMED AFTER?
The toponym of Rab (Arba) originates from the Indo-European root of the word arb, meaning 'dark', 'opaque', that is, a 'black, dark island', which is the name the Island of Rab obtained due to the forests the Island abounded with in the past.
ANTE PREMUŽIĆ - FORESTRY ENGINEER, LECTURER AND SENIOR MINISTERIAL ADVISOR
The attractive trail called The Trail of Premužić (Cro. Premužićeva staza) passes through the Dundo Forest, leading all the way to the waterfront, that is, the Bay of St. Kristofor.
EDUCATOR OF MANY FORESTERS AND NATURAL SCIENTISTS
The Dundo Forest has got the longest tradition of forest protection and conservation among the islands along the Adriatic coast which are mostly baren nowdays. This forest land is the place where many generations of foresters and natural scientists have been educated.
The Dundo Forest
Kalifront
THE LARGEST, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND THE MOST PRESERVED FOREST IN THE ENTIRE MEDITERRANEAN
The most beautiful and the most preserved native holm oak forest in the entire Mediterranean, the Dundo Forest, is situated on the densely forested Kalifront Peninsula (named Capo fronte or “the Green Head”). This unique European forest reserve with an area of 106 ha has been protected since 1949. It stretches from the waterfront in the Kristofor Bay up to 80 m above sea level and represents the greatest natural resource of the Island of Rab, in addition to its sea and beaches. In addition to the evergreen holm oaks, you will find mulberries, heaths, myrtles and other plant varieties in this area.
THE TALLEST AND THE MOST MAJESTIC HOLM OAK TREES WERE CUT DURING WORLD WAR II
The holm oak (Lat. Quercus ilex) trees measuring up to 1 m in diameter, with the volume measuring 3m and up to 20m high were growing in the Dundo Forest until World War II, when the most beautiful trees up to 200 years old were cut down. The Italian invaders would cut the trees and use it in the Kampor concentration camp, exporting a part of the wood to Italy. During the war, the local population exploited the Dundo Forest, leading to its devastation.
TO THIS DAY, A FEW OLD TREES HAVE BEEN PRESERVED AROUND THE FORESTERS’ COTTAGE
The most beautiful holm oak trees are found today around the foresters’ cottage. They are also the oldest trees, the so-called seedling, so according to them one can assume what the forest used to look like in the past.
As the sun sets, you will find a complete peace in the forest and hear some 'strange' sounds and noises and discern the sound of the little owl. The forest is abundant in mushroom varieties. The most interesting mushroom is the bright orange seductive mushroom (Lat. Omphalotus olearius), the fruiting bodies of which glow in the dark.
GENERATIONS OF FORESTERS AND NATURAL SCIENTISTS ARE EDUCATED ON-SITE IN THE DUNDO FOREST
The Dundo Forest has got the longest tradition of forest protection and conservation among the islands along the Adriatic coast which are mostly baren nowdays. This forest land is the place where many generations of foresters and natural scientists have been educated.
THE KALIFRONT PENINSULA AND THE DUNDO FOREST ARE PERFECT FOR RELAXING WALKS AND BIKE RIDES, FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
The attractive trail called The Trail of Premužić (Cro. Premužićeva staza) passes through the Dundo Forest, leading all the way to the waterfront, that is, the Bay of St. Kristofor. The Kalifront Peninsula is the favourite destination of cyclists, with a number of easy trails leading to the very waterfront, as well as of the families with small children who enjoy cycling along the trails protected from the sun by dense treetops. The Capo Fronte educational hiking and biking trail passes through the Kalifront Peninsula, which is 22.5 km long and worth visiting.
