Explore Paklenica National Park in Croatia – a haven for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers with canyons, caves, and epic Velebit mountain trails.
Tucked between the glistening Adriatic Sea and the rugged Velebit mountains, Paklenica National Park is where wilderness takes center stage. Known for its towering limestone canyons, dramatic karst landscapes, and some of the best hiking in Croatia, this national park is a magnet for adventurers, climbers, and anyone craving fresh alpine air.
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Discover the full expanse of the Velebit Mountain range.
Only a few minutes from the coastal town of Starigrad Paklenica, the park feels like a world apart—steeped in myth, history, and the wild pulse of nature.
🏔️ About Paklenica National Park
Paklenica National Park forms the southernmost section of Croatia’s Velebit mountain range—and its most dramatic. This is the only part of Velebit where a permanent river carves its way through the karst: the Velika Paklenica stream, creating a deep limestone canyon that’s both awe-inspiring and accessible.
What makes Paklenica so extraordinary is its vertical diversity.
- The lower zone is all about towering cliffs, canyons, and sunbaked rock formations—paradise for climbers and geology lovers.
- Climb higher, and you’ll enter dense beech and black pine forests, a realm of shade and songbirds.
- At the very top, mountain meadows unfurl like alpine carpets, surrounded by some of the highest peaks of Velebit, including Vaganski Vrh (1,757 m).
This unique elevation gradient makes Paklenica a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 1,000 plant species, rare birds of prey, lynx, wolves, and even bears. It’s one of the most important ecological zones in the Dinaric Alps.
Established in 1949, Paklenica is Croatia’s second-oldest national park, created to protect the region’s exceptional natural beauty and rich ecosystems. It remains a sanctuary for wilderness and one of the best places in Europe to experience true mountain adventure—just minutes from the sea.
📍 Getting There and Practical Info
Location: Paklenica National Park lies in northern Dalmatia, at the foot of the mighty Velebit Mountains, just above the coastal town of Starigrad Paklenica—where the mountains seem to plunge straight into the sea.
Closest Cities:
- Zadar – ~45 minutes by car (nearest airport and transport hub)
- Split – ~2.5 hours by car (perfect for a road trip stop or day excursion)
Entrance Fee:
Around 10–15 EUR per person, depending on the season. Multi-day and group discounts are available. Always check the official website for updated pricing and ticket options.
Opening Hours:
Open year-round, though the ideal time to visit is April through October. Spring offers lush greenery and flowing streams, summer brings climbing and shaded hikes, and autumn paints the forest gold.
Visitor Centre:
Located in Starigrad, the centre provides trail maps, real-time weather updates, park rules, and climbing permits. It’s a helpful stop before entering the park.
🛣️ Road Access:
From the main coastal road in Starigrad, a narrow uphill road leads to the park entrance. This road winds through a residential area and gets quite tight in places—drive carefully, especially during high season or if you’re in a larger vehicle.
🅿️ Parking:
You have two options:
- Main Entrance Parking: Located just after the park gate. From here, it’s about 1 km walk along a gravel road to the canyon entrance.
- Upper Canyon Parking: For quicker trail access, continue driving up the narrow road and park right at the base of Velika Paklenica canyon, where the hiking trails and climbing sectors begin. Spots are limited—arrive early if you can.
🥾 Top Things to Do in Paklenica National Park
1. Hike Through Velika Paklenica Canyon
The most famous route in the park, this deep karst canyon carved by the Velika Paklenica stream is the heart of the national park. Towering cliffs rise up to 400 meters high, while the shaded trail follows the turquoise stream through forests and boulders.
- ⏱️ Duration: 1.5–3 hours (to the mountain hut)
- 🧭 Trailhead: Velika Paklenica entrance
2. Visit Anića Kuk – the Climber’s Icon
Standing at 712 meters, Anića Kuk is a mecca for rock climbers across Europe. But even if you’re not climbing, the views from the nearby trails are breathtaking.
3. Explore Manita Peć Cave
A cool detour into the underground, Manita Peć is the only show cave in the park open to visitors. With massive stalactites and stalagmites, it offers a surreal glimpse into Paklenica’s hidden world.
- 🕰️ Open: Spring to autumn (guided only)
- ⏱️ Hike: ~1.5 hrs uphill from the entrance
4. Trek to Mountain Huts and Peaks
More seasoned hikers can ascend deeper into the Velebit range, sleeping overnight in rustic huts like Planinarski Dom Paklenica or even summiting Vaganski Vrh (1,757 m), the highest peak of the Velebit.
- 🥾 Best for: Experienced hikers
- 🏔️ Trail time: 5–8 hours, depending on route
5. Birdwatching & Wildlife Spotting
Paklenica is home to golden eagles, peregrine falcons, lynx, and even bears—though elusive. Early mornings and quiet evenings are best for wildlife encounters.
🧗 Climbing in Paklenica – Europe’s Hidden Gem
Paklenica is Croatia’s top climbing destination, with over 400 routes ranging from beginner-friendly to elite. The climbing season runs from April to November, with vertical walls like Anića Kuk attracting climbers from across the world.
🎒 Tip: If you’re new, local climbing schools in Starigrad offer gear and guided climbs.
🏞️ Velika vs. Mala Paklenica
The park features two main canyons:
- Velika Paklenica – easily accessible, popular for hiking and climbing
- Mala Paklenica – wilder, narrower, and more technical, ideal for experienced hikers and canyoners
🏘️ Where to Stay
- Starigrad Paklenica – Base town at the park’s edge, with apartments, campsites, and local restaurants
- Camping: Camp sites like Nacionalni Park Camp are just steps from the entrance
- Mountain Huts: For real adventurers, book a stay at Dom Paklenica or remote shelters deeper in the Velebit
🌿 Flora & Fauna of the Park
The park’s range in altitude (from sea level to 1,700 m) makes it a biodiversity hotspot, with:
- Over 1,000 plant species, including endemic Velebit degenia
- Mediterranean herbs and forests of black pine and beech
- Wildlife: brown bear, wild boar, wolf, chamois, and eagles
📅 Best Time to Visit Paklenica National Park
- Spring (April–June): Waterfalls in full flow, greenest scenery
- Autumn (Sept–Oct): Cool for hiking, golden forests
- Summer: Hot, but shaded canyons make hiking possible – arrive early
- Winter: Some trails inaccessible, but magical if snow-covered (gear needed)
🧳 What to Pack
- Hiking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks or packed lunch
- Sun protection & hat
- Headlamp (for cave visits)
- Trekking poles (optional for longer hikes)
📚 Fun Fact & History
The name “Paklenica” comes from “paklina”, the black pine resin once harvested here. It was used for shipbuilding and healing wounds—reflecting the ancient ties between humans and this wild terrain.
🎬 Parts of the early “Winnetou” movies were filmed here in the 1960s.
💡 Insider Tips
- 🚿 Fill your water bottle at the spring near the Velika Paklenica entrance – cool and clean!
- 🐐 Watch out for curious goats near the canyon walls—they’re great climbers too.
- 📸 Early morning is best for photography – soft light and fewer crowds.
🌄 Conclusion: Croatia’s Mountain Escape
If the sea is Croatia’s soul, Paklenica National Park is its wild heart. With deep canyons, hidden caves, and soaring peaks, it’s the perfect escape into the untamed side of the Dalmatian coast. Whether you’re hiking, climbing, or simply soaking in the beauty, Paklenica promises a wild adventure just beyond the waves.
