Master Road / Majstorska cesta
Construction of the Master Road began in 1825, and it took 11 years to build it. It was built by Josip Kajetan Knežić, a self-taught engineer back then working for the Austrian army. The function of the road was to shorten the road from the north to Zadar and Dalmatia. The Master Road is included in the list of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. It is the masterpiece of 19th-century road construction and the first modern road that connected Dalmatia with continental Croatia. Today, the Master Road is a unique panoramic road, the most beautiful mountain road from which at the same time one can experience beautiful views of the spectacular shapes of Tulove grede, as well as the Zadar hinterland and the sea.
Majstorska cesta bb Jasenice / Lovinac - Croatia/ Zadar County / Lika-Senj County
Tourist experience: The Master Road is visited by fans of adventure, driving, nature, cycling, but also the Winnetou movie. Namely, nearby one can find Winnetou's tomb, which merged with the mountain. The surrounding mountain area served as the backdrop for the cult German movie about an Indian chief, so here you can often meet fans of this movie.
Experience duration: 42 km long, 1 hour by car
Opening: Accessible non-stop
Less than 20 min by walk from the nearest accommodation, car parking or bus station
Accessibility: Accessible to everyone
Tourist contact: Nature Park Velebit
Cultural material heritage: Cultural heritage under the protection of the Ministry of Culture
Natural heritage: Naturalistic itineraries, Mountains
Hidden tangible patrimony: Landscapes
Hidden intangible patrimony: Building practices
Experiences: Cycling through nature, Road trip
Form filler: Tamara Božić Smojver
Sveto brdo
Sveto brdo (Holly hill) is 1751 m high and it is on the second place of the highest peaks on Velebit, just behind Vaganski vrh (1757 m). People believed that during storms up there Divine and Evil forces were fighting. That is how Sveto brdo got its name. It is probably the most recognizable peak of Velebit. Its high, detached pyramid, visible from several hundred kilometers, is located at the southeastern end of the 10 km long group Vaganski Vrh - Sveto brdo. On the top of the hill, there is a wooden cross, 4 meters high, with the 10 Commandments of God. During the Croatian War of Independence, the locals had to cross Sveto brdo (in 1991) to run away from the war. Once a year, a memorial hike is organised as remembrance called “Tragom zbjega lovinačkog kraja”.
Lovinac - Croatia/ Lika-Senj county
Tourist experience: All those who prefer active tourism should climb Sveto brdo. There is nothing technically demanding on any of the routes leading to Sveto brdo. On the other hand, all climbs are long with a huge height difference, which is why the hikers need to be physically fit. The easiest access is through Velika Paklenica, and the most difficult is through Mala Paklenica, which lasts for 9 hours. All routes offer a completely different landscape. Sveto brdo offers a first-class view, the best on Velebit and can be called the king of panorama.
Spoken languages: English, Croatian
Experience duration: From Mala Paklenica – 9 hours
Circular path from Malo Libinje – 5,5 hours
Opening: Always available
Less than 20 min by walk from the nearest accommodation, car parking or bus station
Accessibility: Not for people with mobility problems
Tourist contact: National Park Paklenica
Cultural material heritage: 4 m high wooden cross, remains of the ruins of the chapel of St. John
Cultural immaterial heritage: Local traditions or legend
Natural heritage: Mountains, Hills, Flora
Form filler: Tamara Božić Smojver
Tulove grede
Tulove grede (Rocks of Tula) are located in the Velebit Nature Park. They represent a rocky ridge of limestone rocks. They are about 1 km long, and the highest peak is 1120 m high. These rocks are a mystical place of the ancient Slavs. According to folklore, dragons laid their eggs there, and invisible Velebit fairies lived in the rocks. The legends mention another mythical creature in these rocks – the Black Queen, who brought misfortune. This mythical creature gave its name to the mountain pass - the Queen's Gate. It is interesting to mention that the film Winnetou was shot on Tulove grede. Some parts of this area are still mined.
unknown Jasenice - Croatia/Zadar county/Jasenice
Tourist experience: All those who crave for a mountaineering adventure, a long walk in the fresh air and fantastic view, should climb to the top of Tulove grede. They are the goal of hikers, cyclists, adventurers and all who have decided to explore the Velebit Nature Park. They don’t call them for no reason a phenomenon.
Climbing to the top of Tulove grede is not easy and requires some experience. There are several pegs and cables on the marked trail to help with the climb. For people with a lack of experience, without suitable footwear and those who are afraid of heights - it is not recommended to climb to the very top. The path to the foothill of Tulove grede is not technically demanding, so one can admire the beauty of the landscape from that location as well.
Spoken languages: English, Croatian
Experience duration: Approximately 1,5 hour to climb to the top of Tulove grede
Opening: Accessible non-stop
Less than 20 min by walk from the nearest accommodation, car parking or bus station
Accessibility: Not for people with mobility problems
Tourist contact: Nature Park Velebit
Cultural immaterial heritage: Local traditions or legend
Natural heritage: Mountains, Hills, Flora, Fauna
Hidden tangible patrimony: Landscapes
Experiences: Cycling through nature, Climbing
Form filler: Tamara Božić Smojver
Vaganski peak
Vaganski peak is the highest peak of Velebit. With a height of 1757 m, it offers a beautiful view on all sides. The view from the top shoots towards Lika, while the view towards the sea is somewhat weaker due to the plateau on the sea side of Velebit.
unknown Gospić - Croatia/ Lika-Senj County
Tourist experience: Vaganski vrh is an ideal destination for all lovers of mountaineering. With a height of 1757 m, it offers a beautiful view on all sides.
Experience duration: 2,5 hours climbing from Bunovac
Opening: Always available
Accessibility: Not suitable for people with mobility problems
Tourist contact: Nature Park Velebit
Natural heritage: Naturalistic itineraries, Mountains, Hills, Flora, Fauna
Hidden tangible patrimony: Landscapes
Experiences: Picking up wild herbs, Climbing, Walking
Form filler: Tamara Božić Smojver
Velebit
Being the longest mountain in Croatia, Velebit is also is the largest protected area in Croatia. In its length of 145 km, there are two national parks – Northern Velebit and Paklenica, whereas the entire mountain area is a Nature Park. Because of its biological diversity of flora and fauna, and being a habitat to many endemic species, Velebit is included in the network of international biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
unknown Gospić - Croatia/ Lika-Senj County
Tourist experience: Because of its extremely diverse and rich landscape, Velebit offers various opportunities for exploration – from hiking, walking, cycling and trekking, to exploring caves, bird watching or simply enjoying the amazing view on this giant. Due to its beauty and size, many folk tales and legends of Lika include its biggest mountain.
Vaganski vrh (1757 m) is the highest peak on Velebit, while the most famous trail for hikers is called Premužić trail.
Spoken languages: Italian, English, Croatian, Deutsche
Experience duration: From a few hours to a few days or even weeks.
Opening: Paklenica National Park – open all year
Northern Velebit National Park– open for visitors from May to November
Booking: No need, except for group guiding
Less than 20 min by walk from the nearest accommodation, car parking or bus station
Accessibility: Not for people with mobility problems
Tourist contact: Nature Park Velebit
Cultural immaterial heritage: Historical itinerary, Local traditions or legend
Natural heritage: Parks, Naturalistic itineraries, Mountains, Hills, Medical herbs, Caves, Flora, Fauna, cycling trails, Hiking trails, Speleological object
Hidden tangible patrimony: Landscapes, Pathways
Hidden intangible patrimony: Local customs, Community tales, Knowledge related to agriculture and wild herbs, Family tales
Experiences: Cycling through nature, Cycling, hiking, trekking, adventure motor, jeep safari, rafting, walking, exploring, Road trip, Cave exploration, Sledding, Climbing, Horse riding, Picnic, Sport activities
Form filler: Anita Ladišić