May 2024
Real treasures and amazing natural phenomena can be found in national parks and nature parks, of which Croatia has several. One of the most beautiful is the Velebit Nature Park.
Velebit Nature Park
It is a fact that the main goal of most tourists going to Croatia is the beautiful sea, but many of them also come here to soak up the natural beauty of this country, which can also be found in the mountains. Real treasures and amazing natural phenomena can be found in national parks and nature parks, of which Croatia has several. One of the most beautiful is the Velebit Nature Park. It will take you to the world of silence, freshness and the smell of plants, and raw, romantic mountain nature.
It is the youngest of the seven nature parks in Croatia. He was given this honorable title only in 1999. It is located in Northern Dalmatia, in the northern part of the Velebit mountain range.
The main attraction of the park lies in the tangled forms of the impressive stone cliffs and the natural wealth of the mountain region. Striking peaks and picturesque towers of rock formations, rock walls and a lush river basin, as well as speleological features emerge from the reliefs. NP Velebit consists primarily of strictly protected nature reserves: Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi, the Štirovača forest vegetation reserve and the botanical garden in Zavižan.
The park is bounded by the Zrmanja River to the south and the Vratnik Stream to the north. The length of the park is approximately 140 km and its width ranges from 30 to 40 km. Its terrain alternates between rocks and forest. The climate here is relatively "gloomy" due to the strong and dangerous wind called bura that often blows here. Its gusts reach up to 180 km/h, which destroys vegetation encountered on its way. In addition, this wind is very dry, which also does not favor the development of flora in this area.
Visitors to the park must be aware that it is not an easy place to visit. When walking, you should ensure that you have good equipment, a responsible partner and, above all, carefully check the hiking route. In some places you will be moving at an altitude of 1,500 m.
The most famous tourist route is the Premužićeva Pass, which leads from north to south. The trail is well marked and is approximately 50 km long. The highest peak here is Vučjak with a height of 1,645 m. During hikes you can admire wonderful limestone formations (Rožanski kukovi) and rocks (Bačić kuk). It should also be remembered that for 500 years, northern Velebit has been the natural home of the brown bear.
In 1978, this territory was included in the Unesco network of biosphere reserves. It was then announced that over 2,700 plant species grow here, of which 78 are endemic.
One of the most interesting places in the park is the Lukina jama cave, discovered in 1994. It is the deepest cave in Croatia and the ninth deepest in the world! It is a staggering 1,392 m deep!
On the other side of the Velebit Mountains there are many churches of different sizes and appearances. Most have a simple design. In the past, these buildings played an important role for local pastors, and some are still used today. The most frequently visited building is the chapel of St. Frane. This chapel was built by the Austrian Emperor in 1932 on the road connecting the northern and southern sides of Croatia, divided by the Velebit Mountains.
Due to its proximity, a visit to the park is especially recommended for those spending their holidays on the island of Pag, the island of Vir, or in the vicinity of Zadar in general.
Velebit is the most attractive place for climbing in Croatia.
It is worth trying to spend your holiday in Croatia a little differently than usual and discover the beauty of nature parks and national parks. Velebit offers rich flora, fauna and unique natural phenomena that you will not see anywhere else. In addition to relaxing and lounging on the beach, it is worth investing in the health of your body and spirit and going on pleasant hikes and walks along the picturesque and unique Velebit Nature Park! This park still leaves a lot of unknowns. Although generations of scholars, scientists and highlanders have appeared there since the 18th century, there are still many places untouched by humans. If you are an adventure seeker - try it, maybe you will discover a new, unknown place in this magical area!