Northern Velebit National Park

Krasno
Tour category: Krk tours and excursions

Travel style:
Nature

Highlights

Age range: 3+ years old
Duration: 3 days
Transportation: Car Van

Why Northern Velebit National Park?

Experience an unforgettable landscape – The spectacular views from Velebit’s peaks over the Adriatic Sea, the Kvarner islands, and the vast Lika region will leave you breathless. Every trail reveals hidden natural wonders you will cherish forever.
Enjoy pristine nature and rich biodiversity – Northern Velebit is home to bears, wolves, lynxes, and golden eagles, while its flora boasts 79 endemic species, including the famous Velebit degenia. As you explore, you’ll learn about the fascinating ecosystems of this unique mountain.
Discover the magical karst formations of Velebit – Walk along scenic trails and witness the stunning limestone formations, deep sinkholes, caves, and karst phenomena that tell a story millions of years old.
Visit Zavižan – the heart of the park – Discover Croatia’s oldest high-altitude weather station, enjoy breathtaking panoramas, and explore the Velebit Botanical Garden, showcasing the mountain’s diverse flora.
Hike the famous Premužić Trail – One of Croatia’s most beautiful hiking routes, allowing easy access to Velebit’s most scenic areas, with perfectly built dry-stone paths and no steep ascents.
Northern Velebit is more than just a mountain – it’s a sensory experience!

Northern Velebit National Park – A Wild Beauty of the Karst Landscape

Northern Velebit is a breathtaking karst landscape, shaped by nature and traces of human history. The park is predominantly covered by spruce and fir forests, creeping pines, and mountain beech trees, creating a pristine environment that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea from the Velebit peaks, as well as the rugged mountain slopes, will leave you in awe at every turn.

This remarkable karst terrain, sculpted by centuries of interaction between stone and water, creates a mesmerizing stone lace, one of the park’s most distinctive features.

Rich Biodiversity – A Haven for Rare Species

So far, around 1,500 species of plants, fungi, and animals have been recorded in the park, with many more yet to be explored. Northern Velebit is home to 79 endemic plant species, the most famous being Degenia velebitica, a rare botanical treasure.

Thanks to the exceptional preservation of the Velebit ecosystem, this mountain is also inhabited by bears, wolves, lynxes, and golden eagles, making it one of Europe's most significant wildlife habitats.

The Underground World – A Paradise for Speleologists

Northern Velebit boasts more than 200 speleological formations, making it a true paradise for cave explorers.
✔ Lukina Cave, at 1,431 meters deep, is one of the deepest caves in the world
✔ The park is home to three caves deeper than 1,000 meters, a rarity even in global speleology
✔ Velebit’s underground world is still being explored, with many more hidden wonders yet to be discovered

Recommended Hiking Trails in the Park

For those eager to explore the beauty of Northern Velebit, we recommend the Circular Trail, which connects Zavižan and Babić Siča:
✔ Trail of Beasts (Staza zviri) – from the Babić Siča entrance, you can reach Zavižan in about 1.5 hours, following an educational path with information panels on local wildlife.
✔ Traces of Mankind (Trag čovika) – follows ancient cattle-breeding routes along the coastal side of Velebit and leads back to Babić Siča. This hike takes approximately 3 hours.

Zavižan – The Heart of Northern Velebit

One of the most popular locations in the park is Zavižan, home to Croatia’s oldest high-altitude weather station, situated at 1,594 meters above sea level.
✔ Easily accessible – Zavižan is easy to reach and features a mountain lodge, parking lot, benches, rest areas, and sanitary facilities.
✔ Breathtaking viewpoints – a hike to nearby peaks rewards visitors with unforgettable panoramic views of the Kvarner islands and Lika region.
✔ Educational Trail "Weather Whims of Zavižan" – a trail with 17 information panels explaining the unique climate of Velebit, where snow has been recorded even in summer!

Velebit Botanical Garden – A Living Museum of Alpine Flora

✔ Just a 15-minute walk from Zavižan, the Velebit Botanical Garden was established in 1967 to make the mountain’s rich plant life accessible to all visitors.
✔ The best time to visit is in June and July, when the majority of vegetation is in full bloom.
✔ Highlights include a large alpine rockery featuring many striking plant species.
✔ The central feature is Balinovačka Ponikva, a karst sinkhole that can be explored via a stone staircase leading to its base.
✔ Labeled plant species and educational panels provide fascinating insights into Velebit’s unique flora.

Premužić Trail – A Masterpiece of Dry-Stone Construction

✔ The Premužić Trail is one of Croatia’s most famous hiking routes, spanning 57 km and offering breathtaking views without steep ascents.
✔ 16 km of the trail runs through the National Park, making it a must-do for nature lovers.
✔ A hike along the park’s section of the trail takes 8 to 9 hours, with 26 information panels providing insights into the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Park Regulations and Safety Tips for a Comfortable Visit

To ensure both your safety and the preservation of the park’s natural beauty, please follow these guidelines:

Prohibited activities – lighting fires, leaving marked trails, picking plants and mushrooms, littering, and making excessive noise.
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
What to bring – carry enough water, wear sturdy hiking boots, and bring warm clothing and a hat.
Be cautious! Watch your step, avoid disturbing wild animals, and always check the weather forecast before your visit.
Fuel up in advance – the nearest gas station is 25 km from the park.

Entrance Tickets and Practical Information

✔ Tickets are valid for 3 days, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.
✔ Family tickets and combined tickets for the National Park and the House of Velebit are also available.

Discover the Wild Beauty of Northern Velebit!

Northern Velebit National Park is a perfect blend of adventure, natural wonders, and rich biodiversity. Whether you're a hiking enthusiast, a nature lover, or an explorer of underground secrets, this park will captivate you with its raw beauty and breathtaking landscapes.

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Departures

Days	Starting point
Every day	Krasno \|

Location

Itinerary

The Northern Velebit National Park is usually open to visitors from the beginning of May to the middle of November - depending on the weather conditions.
Working hours depend on the time of year and weather conditions.
The time required to tour the park depends on which trails you want to walk - the shortest walks through the park last 2 hours, and we recommend that you plan to visit the park all day.

What's included

Entrance ticket

Discounts

Disabled person (28%)
Pensioners (28%)
Children (100%)
Youth (28%)

Important information

Important information

Payment information:

For the reservation to be valid, it is necessary to make a payment by card via the payment link in the next half hour.
If your payment link has expired, you can make a new reservation for the desired excursion/activity.
Payment is made by credit card (Mastercard & Visa & Maestro).
If you have difficulties paying by card, you can pay for the excursion/activity in cash at our reception: Mare Tours, Vrbnik, Trg sv. Ivana 8.
If the organizer has to postpone the booked excursion/experience, guests can receive the paid amount back or accept an alternative date.