Velebit Nature Park

Designated as a nature park in 1999, Velebit is Croatia's youngest nature park and one of its most spectacular. Located in Northern Dalmatia, the Velebit mountain range stretches an impressive 140 kilometers in length and 30 to 40 kilometers in width, making it the largest mountain in Croatia.

Nature Reserves and Botanical Treasures

Velebit is home to several strictly protected nature reserves, each offering unique landscapes and ecosystems:

• Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi — dramatic karst formations and rock towers that create an otherworldly landscape
• Štirovača Forest — one of the last remaining old-growth forests in Europe
• Zavižan Botanical Garden — the highest botanical garden in Croatia, showcasing the mountain's remarkable plant diversity

The park boasts over 2,700 plant species, of which 78 are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. This extraordinary biodiversity has earned Velebit recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The Power of the Bura Wind

Velebit is famous for the Bura (Bora) wind, a fierce northeastern wind that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. This powerful natural force shapes both the landscape and the character of the region, and experiencing it is unforgettable.

Premužićeva Pass

The legendary Premužićeva Pass is a 50-kilometer hiking trail that traverses the spine of Velebit. Built in the 1930s, this engineering marvel winds through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in all of Croatia, connecting the northern and southern parts of the range without significant elevation changes.

Peaks and Depths

The highest point accessible in the park area is Vučjak peak at 1,645 meters. But Velebit's wonders extend deep underground as well — Lukina jama, at 1,392 meters deep, is the 9th deepest cave in the world, a testament to the extraordinary karst geology of the region.

Historical Heritage

The St. Frane Chapel, built by the Austrian Emperor in 1932, stands as a quiet reminder of the mountain's cultural significance throughout the centuries. Perched in the highlands, it offers both spiritual solace and panoramic views.