Hike through the Paklenica gorges in Velebit

Many – especially climbers – only know the entrance area of Velika Paklenica, the "big gorge". There is the climbing area and the most impressive rock walls up to 350 metres high. It is the most easily accessible part of the entire national park. You can push the pram right up to the sport climbing routes. But if you invest a little time in exploring the rest of the area on foot, you will be surprised at how varied Paklenica is. The hike through the much less visited Mala Paklenica gorge to the large Velika Paklenica gorge is adventurous. It leads through the often dry stream bed, you climb huge rocky outcrops, walk through shady black pine forests and unique UNESCO World Heritage beech forests. Along the always water-flowing Velika Paklenica, you reach a place to stop for refreshments and then take a good path through the large gorge back to the valley, to the day tourists and sport climbers.

From car park 2 on a mostly very well marked red-white trail into the valley. On the way there are several possibilities to change the tour, shorten it or hike directly back to the starting point. Our route in the sequence of marked junctions: left - right - left - right - left - right, reaching the small collection of mini-mountain villages Parici, Ivancev and Ramici or the Alpine Club hut Planinarski Dom on both the right and left of the river on the last stage. Up to here 5:30 hrs (with breaks). Now either return to the valley (1:30 h, 6 km) or (best after an overnight stay) continue with another hike, e.g. an ascent of Veganski Vrh, at 1757 m the highest mountain of Velebit.

On the E71 motorway through Croatia, exit 15 Maslenica to Seline. Or on the coastal road from Rijeka, takes about 1 hour longer.