Velebit Hiking: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

The mountain range of Velebit is the largest in Croatia, forming part of the Dinaric Alps. Located along the Adriatic coast, the mountain range starts close to the old town of Senj at the Vratnik pass and terminates in the southeast close to the source of the Zrmanja river some 145 kilometers away. Its highest point is Vaganski, which reaches 1,757 meters above sea level, which is actually not the highest peak in the country.

Picturesque nature

The mountain range of Velebit is home to stunning natural scenery. Its stiff and simple karst cliffs provide the ideal backdrop to some interesting and thrilling hiking routes. The beautiful peaks and surrounding area is fully protected as a nature park, which also includes botanical gardens and the country’s largest and deepest caves.

Mountains of folklore

As one of the symbols of the country, the imposing ridgeline of the mountain range has cultivated a strong Croatian folklore. This includes the fairy of Velebit, a positive spirit who is patron of the mountains. Velebit was also the inspiration for the book Planine, considered to be the first ever Croatian novel.

Flora and fauna

The steep mountaintops, springs and crevices of Velebit form a unique natural home for many flora and fauna. These include the Degenia velebitica, an endemic species of plant which is also protected, as well as the wolf, deer, lynx and brown bear.

The climate of Velebit is characterised as warm and temperate, which receives a large amount of rainfall all-year round. The average temperature reaches 11 °C.

Croatian.

Kuna.

+385.

The pleasant climate of Velebit means that you can visit any time of the year for good quality hiking conditions.