Mythical Velebit Mountain Backpacking Adventure

Croatian Hiking Mecca

This longest Croatian mountain range will leave you breathless! The entire mountain is protected as a nature park and includes two national parks, Northern Velebit and Paklenica, and is placed under UNESCO protection as a World Biosphere Reserve. That’s why The first Croatian long-distance trail Via Adriatica passes right here. We will follow its diverse fascinating route all the way. Even the first step in this adventure will not leave you indifferent. Pristine nature, stunning views, and majestic silence will surround us all the way.

Itinerary

Day 1     Welcome to Zagreb!

We will meet at the airport and take you to your accommodation to freshen up. We will take you on a city tour of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. You will see all the city attractions but also get a complete impression of the whole country. During lunch, your guide will present you with the trip in detail. in the afternoon we head towards our starting point in the wilderness. Overnight in the mountain hut on Velebit mountain.

Day 2     Meeting the famous Premužić’s Trail

Waking up in the National Park, a brief tour of the magnificent viewpoint and our adventure begins! We will spend the day on the famous Premužić’s Trail, “a pleasant hiking highway” that runs through the most beautiful and the most inaccessible parts of Velebit with no big ascents and descents. In the rocky stunning wilderness, to complete the experience, we will climb a few prominent lookouts along the way. Overnight in the mountain lodge Alan.

Day 3     Premužić’s Trail in Middle Velebit

(Alan – Baške Oštarije)

On the second day, we continue on Premužić’s Trail. Most of this section is on the coastal hillside so we will enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and islands. Along the way, fantastic scenes of untouched nature will alternate. We will pass through deep coniferous forests, grassy slopes, cross wide bare peaks and the abandoned village where we rest by a mountain hut, once a school building. We finish in Baške Oštarije.

Day 4     Silence and tranquility

(Baške Oštarije – Stap)

Leaving several hamlets scattered on the Oštarije plain, we approach South Velebit. The path continues mainly through the forest, going further towards the south. We enter the forest so the main attractions on this part of the trail will be plenty of mountain peace and quiet. Our goal is a large karstic valley hidden behind the chain of coastal peaks where is a small modern hut serves as an open hiking shelter.

Day 5     Deeper and deeper into the wilderness

(Stap – Struge)

We continue and pass by a wide sea-oriented lookout and attractive lush meadows that reach the rocky peaks. We will be “trapped” in picturesque forests and limestone cliffs of crazy names like Squat Rock and Fat Rock. We will pass and rest by the shelter Dad’s cottage and the small chapel of Our Lady of Rujno where we rest, then climb to the open shelter to finish this demanding section.

Day 6     Pleasant walk and breathless views

(Struge – Dušice)

It’s really hard to say, but this is probably the highlight of the highlights of the trip! Shortly after the start, we reach the highest peak of the trail, Vaganski peak, 1757 m. Easily walking at an altitude of 1500 m we approach the second, most famous peak of Velebit, which rightly deserves its name, Sveto Brdo (Holy Hill). The view is amazing, first-class, the best on Velebit, and the king of the panorama. We enjoy an unforgettable view on all sides, continental with plains and mountain ranges and coastal with sea and islands. We spend the night in a shelter near the top.

Day 7     Through the canyon between cliffs

(Dušice –  NP Paklenica)

Although full of impressions, more is waiting for us during the descent! From the mountain peaks, we descend towards the coast. First to Blidinje, a wide bare endless plateau, then we enter into the marvelous canyon of Velika Paklenica. This karst phenomenon, a wonder of nature, provides everything a hiker’s soul could wish so you will surely want to come back. Deserved a drink and chill on the beach before returning to Zagreb. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 8 Goodbye! Transfer to Zagreb airport.

Highlights

• Zagreb, the Croatian capital
• Nature park Velebit
• Northern Velebit National Park
• Paklenica National Park

Included

• 1 night in Zagreb ***hotel
• 6 nights in a mountain hut/shelter/camping
• 2 airport transfers
• tickets for 2 national parks
• all the transfers and logistics
• 3 daily meals a day for 6 days hike
• guiding

Not included

• costs except those listed

Accommodation

1 night Zagreb ***hotel

6 nights in a mountain hut/shelter/camping

Hiking

Hiking days: 6

Total length: 100 km (up to 20 km per day)

Effective hiking per day: up to 7 hours

Max elevation: 1757 m

Total ascent: max 300 m

Terrain: single track

Hiking area: Lika county, Dalmatia county

Level: moderate

Safety spots: at the end of each section

Price: 1290 EUR (based on 7 people)