DEHUROENHR

Plizio Visual Lab

North Velebit National Park

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
park
—°6
North Velebit National Park (Croatia)

Weather…

North Velebit National Park was established in 1999, making it the youngest national park in Croatia. It covers the northern section of the Velebit mountains, the country's largest range, and is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is renowned for its extraordinary diversity of karst phenomena, including deep caves, jagged rocks, and expansive ridges. One of its most outstanding features is the Premužić Trail, a 57 km long hiking path constructed in the 1930s without the use of mortar or heavy machinery. This area also contains Lukina jama, one of the deepest caves in the world, plummeting to over 1,400 meters. The park's flora is exceptionally rich, featuring numerous endemic species such as the Velebit degenia. Another highlight is the Velebit Botanical Garden, located near the Zavižan mountain hut. Due to its isolated location and extreme climatic conditions, the park provides a pristine habitat for large predators like bears, wolves, and lynxes.

📋 Practical info

🧭
Getting there
The high-altitude areas are usually reached by driving up winding, narrow mountain roads to the visitor centers. From these elevated starting points, a network of challenging trails extends into the karst wilderness.
📅
Best season
The operating season is strictly limited to the warmer months, generally from June to October. Heavy winter snowfall typically renders the high-altitude park roads and rugged trails completely impassable.
⛰️
Terrain & paths
The landscape is defined by extreme, jagged karst formations, massive rocky peaks, and deep sinkholes. The hiking paths are notoriously rugged and demand constant attention to foot placement.
🎒
What to bring
Professional-grade mountain boots and windproof layers are universally recommended for all visitors. Due to the high altitude, carrying emergency thermal gear and extra rations is a standard precaution.
🅿️
Parking
Official parking facilities are typically located adjacent to the main park entrances and large mountain huts. These areas provide a secure place to leave vehicles before venturing into the remote high-altitude zones.
⚠️
Safety
Wandering off the officially marked trails is extremely dangerous due to hidden chasms like Lukina jama. Visitors must also be constantly prepared for sudden, severe drops in temperature and heavy fog.
⏱️
Time needed
Exploring the most prominent karst formations typically demands a full day of arduous hiking. Many dedicated mountaineers choose to spend multiple days utilizing the sparse mountain shelters.

Geography

Coordinates
44.75000, 14.99000

Facts

  • Founded in the year 1999.
  • Total area of 109 square kilometers.
  • Lukina jama cave is 1,431 meters deep.
  • The Premužić Trail is 57 kilometers long.
  • The highest point in the park is Veliki Zavižan (1,676 m).
  • Zavižan weather station is the highest in Croatia.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Northern Velebit National ParkNorthern Velebit National Park<1 km · NWExplore →
📍Krasno9 km · NEExplore →
KladaKlada10 km · NWExplore →
Kuterevo Bear SanctuaryKuterevo Bear Sanctuary14 km · NEExplore →
📍Barbat na Rabu15 km · WExplore →
📍Banjol16 km · WExplore →
📍Mundanije18 km · WExplore →
RabRab18 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town North Velebit National Park (6)

Goli Vrh

Mountain peak in Lika-Senj County, Croatia, within the national park.

Crikvena

Peak of the Velebit mountain range in Croatia, popular with hikers.

Slovačka jama

Cave in Croatia, located in the northern Velebit area.

Vučjak

Mountain peak in northern Velebit, part of the national park.

Northern Velebit National Park

National park in Croatia, protecting the northern Velebit region.

Hajdučki i Rožanski kukovi

Strict nature reserve in Croatia, part of the Velebit range.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where do hikes start in North Velebit?
The main entrance is Babić Siča; Zavižan is a popular starting point for many tours.
What is the Premužić Trail?
A 57 km long trail that leads through the most beautiful parts of the mountains without steep climbs.
Can you stay overnight at Zavižan?
Yes, there is a mountain hut that has simply furnished sleeping places.
What is the weather like in Velebit?
Very changeable; even in summer, it can suddenly get cool and stormy.
Are there wild animals there?
Yes, bears, wolves, and lynxes live in the remote areas of the national park.
North Velebit National Park: where is it located?
North Velebit National Park is located in Croatia.
North Velebit National Park: what is there to see?
Highlights include Goli Vrh, Crikvena, Slovačka jama.
North Velebit National Park: why is it worth visiting?
North Velebit National Park was established in 1999, making it the youngest national park in Croatia.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Croatia →

Nearby cities

Ogulin — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Ogulin
Ogulin is located in the heart of Croatia at the foot of Mount Klek.
Smiljan — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Smiljan
Smiljan is a village in the Lika region, globally recognized as the birthplace of inventor Nikola Tesla and home to a modern memorial cen…
Smiljansko Polje — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Smiljansko Polje
A vast field in the Lika region, the birthplace of the genius inventor Nikola Tesla near Gospić.
Podoštra — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Podoštra
A quiet village in the Lika region, at the foot of the majestic Velebit Mountains near Gospić.
Kaniža Gospićka — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Kaniža Gospićka
An idyllic village in the Lika region at the foot of Velebit mountain, ideal for nature lovers and hikers.
Lički Novi — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Lički Novi
Lički Novi is a peaceful village in the Lika region near Gospić, ideal for nature lovers at the foot of the Velebit Mountains.
Gospić — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Gospić
Gospic is the center of the Lika region in the mountains of central Croatia.
Žabica — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Žabica
A quiet village in the Lika region, located on the banks of the Lika river and near the Velebit peaks.
Novoselo Bilajsko — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Novoselo Bilajsko
A quiet village in the Lika plateau near Gospić, ideal for nature lovers and hikers at the foot of the Velebit mountains.
Bilaj — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Bilaj
A historical village in the Lika region, known for its church on the hill and strategic importance in history.
Šilo — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Šilo
A quiet coastal settlement on Krk island, located opposite Crikvenica, known for its clean beaches and diving sites.
Sibinj Krmpotski — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Sibinj Krmpotski
Sibinj Krmpotski is a quiet coastal settlement in Croatia, offering crystal-clear Adriatic waters and a peaceful escape.
Kornić — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Kornić
A charming village on the island of Krk with magnificent views of the Punat bay and the tiny island of Košljun.
Lipovlje — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Lipovlje
A peaceful village in the Lika region, nestled in untouched nature near the Gacka river springs and the Velebit mountain range.
Švica — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Švica
A picturesque village in the Lika region, known for its eponymous lake and historical watermills on the Gacka River.

History & landmarks

Rastoke — North Velebit National Park (Croatia)
Rastoke
A picturesque watermill village in Slunj, where the Slunjčica river flows into the Korana through cascades.