Visiting Paklenica National Park
Perched on the southern slopes of the Velebit mountain range, Paklenica National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Croatia. The park draws visitors with its diverse ecosystems, which shift from Mediterranean vegetation to the rugged flora and fauna of high altitude terrain. The park reaches its peak at Sveto Brdo, which climbs to 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) above sea level.
A hub for hiking and climbing
Paklenica is defined by its karst peaks, which provide extensive opportunities for rock climbing with over 360 equipped routes. Anića Kuk, a sheer limestone wall rising 300 meters (984 feet), is a particularly well-known challenge for serious climbers.
The reserve features two primary canyons. Velika Paklenica stretches 14 kilometers (nearly 9 miles) long and averages between 500 and 800 meters wide. Mala Paklenica is smaller but equally striking, with its narrowest point measuring just ten meters across. Between 150 and 200 kilometers of hiking trails crisscross the area, and a few mountain huts offer rustic overnight accommodations.
A landscape where sea meets mountain
The reserve is also home to a network of caves and underground passages typical of karst topography. Currently, only Manita Peć cave is open to the public, offering a close look at various geological formations. You should also stop by the hamlet and Marasovići museum, which provides a glimpse into how locals lived in this region centuries ago.
The Velebit massif runs parallel to the Adriatic coast, creating a sharp contrast between jagged peaks and the open sea. You can easily cap off a day of hiking with a swim along the coast near Starigrad. It is the perfect way to cool down after a trek.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Very pretty natural park offering very varied landscapes, between steep mountains and a coast with turquoise waters, there is really plenty to see nature in its most beautiful colors.
You can head underground into the Manita Pec caves, or see breathtaking views while overlooking the Velika Paklenica canyon.