Sjeverni Velebit National Park – the youngest national park in Croatia
Sjeverni Velebit National Park, which includes the northern part of Velebit mountains was founded in 1999 and is therefore the youngest national park in the country. It stretches from the saddle Vratnik (694 m above sea level) in the northwest to the saddle Veliki Alan (1412 m above sea level) up to the river Zrmanja in the southeast.
Of the nearly 2,700 plant species that occur here, 78 are endemic, which are unique botanical pieces that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Sjeverni Velebit National Park, Croatia
Velebit has a harsh climate where almost half of the average temperature is around freezing point. Most of the forested land is inhabited by chamois, wolves, wild cats, but also bears. Velebit is one of the most attractive targets for climbers in Croatia. Its attractive offer includes national parks, nature reserves, good transport infrastructure, but also the possibility of private accommodation.
Velebit mountains attract a lot of adventurers and explorers. It is a mysterious world of silence set in rugged mountain scenery.
Sjeverni Velebit National Park is a good tip for not demanding active tourists who are interested in hiking, but also for families with children. This national park is located near the islands of Hvar and Rab, which are full of tourists every summer. If lazing by the sea gets you bored, it is best to go on a hike and look into the Sjeverni Velebit National Park. In just a few kilometers from the hot coast is a nature, offering a dark beech forests, meadows full of rare flowers and deep ravines lined with white limestone cliffs, with the magnificent ocean views.
The most beautiful tourist places of the park you can see by following the Premužičova trail that is 50km long. The beginning of this journey is at the mountain hut Zavižan on the hill Vučjak (1644 m asl). In its vicinity is situated the famous Velebit Botanical Garden, which is worth a visit as well, it concentrates all the Velebit flora. The best time to visit it is at the end of June when the plants are in full bloom, so you can admire the orange lilies, iris and other rare plants.
The most interesting part of the park include nature reserves Hajducki and Rozanski kukovi and other protected areas. Travelers will find the 50 peaks (measuring around 1,600 meters above sea level) and one of the deepest caves in the world – Lukina jama. The cave is 1392 metres deep and was discovered just recently – in 1994.
In the park it is not allowed to sleep in a tent, but you can stay overnight in a wooden bunk cabins free of charge. Definitely not remember to take enough water with you.
