Nature park Velebit

Croatia's Largest Protected Area

With an area of approximately 2200 square kilometers, Velebit Nature Park is the largest park in the country and even larger than all of Croatia's other nature parks combined It extends across the Velebit mountain range along the Croatian coast between Senj and Zadar. On the eastern side, the park is covered with heavy woods, where brown bears, wolves, lynx and horn vipers are at home. At the areas toward the coast, the vegetation is sparse and the region rough. In addition to a variety of flora and fauna - including 1,850 species of plants and 100 species of birds - the Velebit Nature Park is particularly thrilling  because of its numerous caves. These caves were discovered and are still being discovered by spelunkers. Until a few years ago the 513 meter deep Jama Velebita was the deepest direct bay in the world. The around 150 kilometer long Velebit, due to its unique topography, vegetation and landscape values, has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The rough and varied mountain scenery attracts many hikers, fishermen and mountain bikers to the Velebit Nature Park, which encompasses North Velebit National Park in the north and Paklenica National Park in the south. For sports activities, the park administration has marked special routes that one must comply with it. The rules are in place because of the mines in the area of Velebit Nature Park that were left there after the Croatian war. The routes are 7-31 kilometers long, depending on the region. By car it is recommended to drive along the Old Karolina street, the oldest road through the Velebit. Another beautiful route will take you by Gospic to Karlobag. Between May and June and from October until November, you have the opportunity to have kayaking and rafting tours. In the remaining months kayaking and rafting tours are prohibited. For a single ticket without organized leadership you pay about 3 euros. Children under 7 can visit the park for free.