Paklenica National Park is located on the southern slopes of Velebit mountain in Northern Dalmatia, about 47km from Zadar, and is one of the favorite destination for nature lovers in Croatia. The Park, most famous for impressive canyons of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, represents the largest forest area in Dalmatia rich with diverse flora and fauna. The Park is mostly visited by climbing enthusiasts, mostly in spring, summer and autumn, and is known as a hiker’s paradise.
Geological features
The combination of untouched nature, high peaks, impressive canyons, caves and pits and rushing rivers, all on the area of 95 km2, combine into one truly impressive natural phenomena.
Velika Paklenica Canyon is 14 km long and 500-800 m wide with vertical cliffs rise above both sides of the canyon up to a height of over 700 m. Mala Paklenica Canyon is 12 km long and 400-500 wide with the surrounding cliffs rise up to a height of 650 m.
The combination of untouched nature, high peaks, impressive canyons, caves and pits and rushing rivers, all on the area of 95 km2, combine into one truly impressive natural phenomena.
The highest area of Paklenica National Park is the narrow ridge of Velebit with the highest peak of Velebit – Vaganski vrh (1 757 m asl) located there. 76 speleological objects are known and have been explored in the Park, making Paklenica the most completely explored areas in Croatia in terms of speleology.
Flora & Fauna
Over 1,000 plant species and subspecies, with 79 of them endemic, the forest phenomenon with areas of oak and oriental hornbeam forests, beech forest, black pine forests, and fern forest, all combined with diverse habitats – 84 butterfly species, 31 amphibian and reptile species, 254 bird species and 53 mammal species – create unique nature wonder.
Activities for Visitors
Hiking, Climbing & Biking
Hiking is the best way to really get to know Paklenica and its beauties. The Park area contains 150–200 km of trails and paths, from those for tourists to those intended for mountaineers. The trails in the Park are marked with boards and mountaineering signs and are also suitable for biking.
Hiking is the best way to really get to know Paklenica and its beauties.
Speleology
76 speleological objects are known and have been explored in the Park ( 39 pits and 37 caves). Most famous, and accessible to visitors is Manita peć cave, which can be visited between April and October.
Tourist Facilities
The Marasovici Ethno House, in the abandoned village of Marasovici, is a small ethno layout consisting of some preserved household, farming and other tools and furniture, depicting the way of life, customs and beliefs of this area’s residents. The house also contains a small info-center with a souvenir shop, and a tavern offering traditional food of the area.
The Mala Paklenica Educational Centre provides visitors with information about the park, and in particular about endangered bird groups.
Next to the Park’s administrative building is the Camp “Nacionalni park”, open from 15 March to 15 November. Camp is mostly used by climbers, mountaineers, but is it also suitable for family holidays.
Climbing on the main trail through Velika Paklenica Canyon for about 2 hours after you leave the parking lot, you will reach the Lugarnica forest cottage at an altitude of around 400 m, providing simple catering services.
Entrance Ticket
The entrance fee for the National Park for an adult goes form 3 € up to 8 € (Jun – Sept), with discounts for children, students and senior citizens. You can also purchase a ticket that includes guided tour (bird watching programme, half-day guide and presentation in Educational Centre). You can find out more about the price list at the Paklenica National Park official website.
How to get to Paklenica National Park
Paklenica National Park is connected with motorway and accessible by car from any part of Croatia. Zagreb is 235 km away, Rijeka around 180 km, Split 170 km and Zadar around 50 km away from Paklenica
The closest Airport to Paklenica National Park is Zadar Airport (47 km).
The easiest and the fastest way to get to Paklenica National Park from Zadar, Split and other major cities and airports in Croatia is with a private transfer service.
The easiest and the fastest way to get to Paklenica National Park from Zadar, Split and other major cities and airports in Croatia is with a private transfer service. Book a professional, English-speaking driver with Let’s Go Transfer Service and enjoy your vacation in Croatia.
