Northern Velebit National Park
Northern Velebit National Park
4.5
Mountains • National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
59 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
7
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD8,920 contributions
Oct 2021
We visited here on our trip from Senj to Pag Island. Departing at 8:30 AM, we had the curvy paved highway nearly to ourselves, arriving at the Babić Siča Northern Velebit National Park station at 9:30 AM. After paying 60 kn for 2 seniors, we continued upward for 5 km on a decent but narrow dirt/gravel lane until arriving at the large Zavizan parking area (half filled with hiker cars) with restrooms and detailed trail signage. The clear sunny weather was a delight at this mile high mountain as was the UNESCO information board describing the 2017 addition of 2 nearby ancient and primeval beech forest reserves. We walked toward the beautiful small St Antun Chapel passing several large gnarled beech trees and groves among the dramatic limestone outcroppings.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karleto2013
Rijeka, Croatia535 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We visited National Park Northern Velebit just before winter came to a door..
It was a beautifull sunny day. We hiked from Zavižan to Rossijeva koliba , and back.Took us cca 5 hours. Nature is really stunning..
It was a beautifull sunny day. We hiked from Zavižan to Rossijeva koliba , and back.Took us cca 5 hours. Nature is really stunning..
Written November 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Factual
Los Angeles221 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Northern Velebit National Park (Sjeverni Velebit in Croatian)
Driving FROM KRASNO POLJE toward Sveti Juraj, then turning left toward the Babic Sica park entrance, then driving TO the ZAVIZAN HUT was no problem on May 29, 2012: there was NO SNOW on the road. We had planned this drive on the last possible day of our vacation in Croatia to minimize the risk of snow on the road.
In the park entrance hut, the map was useful, the ranger helpful, and she sold a few souvenirs, including a few T-shirts, perhaps 2 designs and not every size.
PARKING was easy below Zavizan Hut. There was a restroom and picnic tables. There was another restroom a little beyond the botanical garden entrance.
WALKING STICKS (1-inch diameter tree branches) were available at the parking lot, leaning against a trail sign at the bottom of the steps up to the hut, and again at the start of the Premuzik Trail, leaning against a tree trunk. We "borrowed" some, then returned them at the end of the day.
We walked from Zavizan Hut to the PREMUZIK TRAIL (Permuziceva Staza in Croatian), out, ate a picnic lunch sitting on rocks, walked further out for another while, then walked back. The trail was easy to walk on, as easy as walking on a gravel road or rocky road. It was never steep (never going up or down steeply) and it was always perfectly level (flat, with the left side no higher or lower than the right side). The portions of the trail that were a dirt trail through meadow and woods were maybe 2 feet to 2 meters wide, rocky, sometimes with tree roots (for example 3 inches in diameter) across. The portions of the trail that were made of rocks were maybe 2 meters wide (see photo). The surface was not smooth like a road, there were uneven stones. We had no topographic map, only 1-page trail maps from the web or from a guide book about walking in Croatia, and this was sufficient because the trail looks like a mini-road, so it was easy to stay on it. Walking off the trail is not allowed. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Tent camping is not allowed.
The info boards along the trail were all only in Croatian.
SAW austere grey-rocky mountainscapes that changed along the way, strangely eroded rocks (see photo), and only two other hikers all day, wildflowers, mammal feces, butterflies, grey snails matching the rock color, and one gorgeous chamois walking up the trail ahead of us, with a finely sculptured face striped dark and beige.
Overall the hike was physically invigorating and mentally relaxing.
The WEATHER changed from sunny and hazy (hazy view of islands in the Adriatic) to windy, cloudy, dark, many degrees (Celsius) colder, and threatening to rain... and back to sunny. Stunning contrast between black clouds and brightly sunny evergreen trees and grassy slopes, with the wind moving clouds, dark and light along like in a painting come alive.
STAYING in Krasno Polje at Sumarska Kuca was perfect.
DRIVING TO ZAGREB from Krasno Polje takes only half a leisurely day.
Unfortunately, the Northern Velebit Nat'l Park is not covered in the Lonely Planet guide.
Driving FROM KRASNO POLJE toward Sveti Juraj, then turning left toward the Babic Sica park entrance, then driving TO the ZAVIZAN HUT was no problem on May 29, 2012: there was NO SNOW on the road. We had planned this drive on the last possible day of our vacation in Croatia to minimize the risk of snow on the road.
In the park entrance hut, the map was useful, the ranger helpful, and she sold a few souvenirs, including a few T-shirts, perhaps 2 designs and not every size.
PARKING was easy below Zavizan Hut. There was a restroom and picnic tables. There was another restroom a little beyond the botanical garden entrance.
WALKING STICKS (1-inch diameter tree branches) were available at the parking lot, leaning against a trail sign at the bottom of the steps up to the hut, and again at the start of the Premuzik Trail, leaning against a tree trunk. We "borrowed" some, then returned them at the end of the day.
We walked from Zavizan Hut to the PREMUZIK TRAIL (Permuziceva Staza in Croatian), out, ate a picnic lunch sitting on rocks, walked further out for another while, then walked back. The trail was easy to walk on, as easy as walking on a gravel road or rocky road. It was never steep (never going up or down steeply) and it was always perfectly level (flat, with the left side no higher or lower than the right side). The portions of the trail that were a dirt trail through meadow and woods were maybe 2 feet to 2 meters wide, rocky, sometimes with tree roots (for example 3 inches in diameter) across. The portions of the trail that were made of rocks were maybe 2 meters wide (see photo). The surface was not smooth like a road, there were uneven stones. We had no topographic map, only 1-page trail maps from the web or from a guide book about walking in Croatia, and this was sufficient because the trail looks like a mini-road, so it was easy to stay on it. Walking off the trail is not allowed. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Tent camping is not allowed.
The info boards along the trail were all only in Croatian.
SAW austere grey-rocky mountainscapes that changed along the way, strangely eroded rocks (see photo), and only two other hikers all day, wildflowers, mammal feces, butterflies, grey snails matching the rock color, and one gorgeous chamois walking up the trail ahead of us, with a finely sculptured face striped dark and beige.
Overall the hike was physically invigorating and mentally relaxing.
The WEATHER changed from sunny and hazy (hazy view of islands in the Adriatic) to windy, cloudy, dark, many degrees (Celsius) colder, and threatening to rain... and back to sunny. Stunning contrast between black clouds and brightly sunny evergreen trees and grassy slopes, with the wind moving clouds, dark and light along like in a painting come alive.
STAYING in Krasno Polje at Sumarska Kuca was perfect.
DRIVING TO ZAGREB from Krasno Polje takes only half a leisurely day.
Unfortunately, the Northern Velebit Nat'l Park is not covered in the Lonely Planet guide.
Written March 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nina385
Zagreb, Croatia148 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Not far from the far more famous and infinitely more popular national park of Plitvice, but unfortuntely overlooked and underrated. Or maybe this is not such a bad thing, because the nature is pristine, not destroyed by crowds, and really peaceful (not to imply that Plitvice are overrated, definitely not!). You can make the village of Krasno your starting point, where there is plenty of cheap and good accomodation. You can buy tickets for national park there, too (45 kunas, ticket is valid for three consecutive days). The village has a post, stores, cafes, restaurants, bakery and an ATM. From there you can reach Zavizan (kind of focal point of the park) by road (cca 30min) or by hiking (cca 3h). The road is in good shape and signs are clearly visible. Once in the park, you can enjoy the magnificient views of Lika and the Adriatic sea, go hiking, birdwatching, visit the Velebit Botanical garden, enjoy a beer or juice at Zavizan mountain house (you can also sleep here, if not inclined to stay at the village, but amneties are scarce), or take the trail of Premiziceva staza, which goes through the national park and beyond. Do be careful, though, as bears, wolves and lynxes live here. And enjoy the magnificient nature of Velebit!
Written July 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kfastic
Zagreb, Croatia351 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
We went by car to Zavizan.
From city Senj to Zavizan there was about 45min of pleasant mountain drive with beautiful sightseeings.
You have to take all you need with you, because there are no shops, only Mountain Lodge.
The view is absolutely magnificent, and on sunny days you can see all the way to Italy.
There is a botanical garden with no admission fee, and it's very nice.
Also there are a lot of mountain paths for walking and really clean and refreshing nature with pleasant temperatures during summer.
From city Senj to Zavizan there was about 45min of pleasant mountain drive with beautiful sightseeings.
You have to take all you need with you, because there are no shops, only Mountain Lodge.
The view is absolutely magnificent, and on sunny days you can see all the way to Italy.
There is a botanical garden with no admission fee, and it's very nice.
Also there are a lot of mountain paths for walking and really clean and refreshing nature with pleasant temperatures during summer.
Written July 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Satyabrata Dam
New Delhi1,782 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
I recently did the entire Via Dinarica trail through Croatia and Northern Velebit Park was certainly the crown jewel of the trip. Thick lush forest, limestone jagged peaks, amazing views of the Adriatic from the top ridges and the lovely huts that you can sleep and dine into plus the people and the shepherds and the honey makers and the simple village folk that greets you is simply divine. I enjoyed great weather all through the days that I walked through this section. Must do.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MartaB00567
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam53 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
In case you are looking at various options for hiking trips in Croatia, I highly recommend Velebit. Its numerous access points and trails offer many choices. Northern Velebit is a gem, Premužićeva Trail an easy and accessible path. Enyoj!
Written April 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mzmattias
Stockholm, Sweden16 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Northern Velebit is where continental and Mediterranean climate meet. From what I have seen and from studying the maps very few such massive and high mountains are near the sea. Also being there offers impressive views of numerous island and bay on the coast. The meeting of climates, mountains and sea full of islands makes it worth a visit. Zavizanj is the place where there is alpine hut or more like a wooden building accessible by car - only 500 m to walk to it from parking. At the hut there is coffee and food.
Written August 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Diána H
Bristol, UK49 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Visited in August and were stunned how we hardly seen any tourists, the national park is a way more spectacular sight than the beaches around the area. We hiked up to peak Zavizan from the hut, a good 3h hike up and down hill there and back was worth every sweat. Our 9 year old managed with ease, there's a bit of rambling part at the top so not recommended for unsteady toddlers though. It is a very sweet, well marked trail that leads up the peak where the 36o degree view took out breaths away. Magical. Would love to be back without kid and hike around the nearby peaks one day.
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yorkfam4
York, UK22 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We are a family for 4 uk people staying just off the coast in a fantastic holiday cottage in starigrad Senj : we drove up on 2 different days : the 1st to zavizan and 2nd time to Alan hut and walked about 15-20kms both days: there was a bit of serious scrambling to reach some of the peaks but the main trails were well made and marked. The landscape is an amazing mixture of limestone peaks and cliffs, beech and pine forests and meadows with wonderful wild flowers and a wide range of butterfly’s and other insects.
Truly this is a life enhancing place: very empty even in August and a cool temperature (24 degrees c) when it was 35 @ sea level. And the views over the sea and islands are great too. And all for 45 khuna each for 3 days entry.
Highly recommended.
Truly this is a life enhancing place: very empty even in August and a cool temperature (24 degrees c) when it was 35 @ sea level. And the views over the sea and islands are great too. And all for 45 khuna each for 3 days entry.
Highly recommended.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jennilaz
San Diego, CA90 contributions
We'll be here for 6 days and would like the names of the best hiking trails available. We like to hike about 5 hours a day, anywhere up to 16 km's on a day. Hope you can help.
Thanks,
Find “Velebit Huts” it may help you a lot
namki
Berkeley, Ca21 contributions
Hi,
We would like to visit Northern Velebit in late October (October 26-31)- is the weather good enough to hike at that time?
Thank you!
Na'ama
namki
Berkeley, Ca21 contributions
Hi,
We are thinking of going to Northern Velebit at the end of October. Is it too cold to be there?
simona n
1 contribution
La strada da dundovic podkuki a strovaca è percorribile in camper?
Le cartine danno un divieto per caravan.
Northern Velebit National Park (Krasno Polje) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Velebit National Park
- Hotels near Northern Velebit National Park:
- (0.00 mi) Hotel Nehaj
- (0.02 mi) Hotel Meduza
- (0.02 mi) Apartmani Libra
- (0.04 mi) Hotel Art - Senj
- (0.08 mi) Vlatkoviceva Apartments
- Restaurants near Northern Velebit National Park:
- (0.09 mi) Kod Veska
- (0.12 mi) Pizzeria King
- (0.11 mi) Konoba Ivka
- (0.11 mi) Bistro Energy
- (0.09 mi) Grill AS