Nature richly rewarded the Paklenica Riviera, surrounding it with the sea, mountains, rivers, lakes, and islands. Such a variety and richness of the landscape in so small an area can rarely be found. By walking for just a few minutes from the seacoast, you are already in the mountain world of Paklenica and the Velebit Mountain. By boat you can put to sea towards the magical Kornati Islands or the imposing cliffs of the Telaščica Bay. The Zrmanja, Krka, and Una Rivers are karst beauties, whose magnificent canyons, flashing falls, and banks filled with greenery leave visitors breathless. The Plitvice Lakes, adorned with gorgeous waterfalls and dense green forests, are recognized pearls of the world natural heritage, while Vransko Lake is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Their special features have caused this region to be protected and united into as many as 5 national parks and 3 nature parks.
Izleti
NP Paklenica
Extending between the highest peak of the Mt. Velebit and the Adriatic sea coast, over an area of 95 sq km, there is the National Park of Paklenica. Its major attractions are the monumental canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, which steep cliffs rising vertically for above 400 m have made the Paklenica a world famous alpinistic destination. The NP Paklenica is a challenge to every nature lover: a holiday-maker, mountain-climber, alpinist, adventure lover…
NP Kornati
Due to the exceptional beauty of the landscape, the fascinating geomorphology, the greatly indented coastline and the exceptionally rich marine life, a substantial part of the Kornati waters were declared a national park in 1980…
NP Krka
The national park is a vast, mostly untouched area of exceptional and multiple natural riches, encompassing one or more preserved or insignificantly changed ecosystems. With its seven travertine waterfalls with a total height of 242 m, Krka is a natural and karst phenomenon. At the very heart of the national park is a Franciscan monastery, situated on the islet of Visovac…
Rijeka Zrmanja
The Zrmanja River delights with its crystal clear waters winding through an imposing, 200 metre deep canyon, that ends its course mixing with the waters of the sea off the shores of the town of Novigrad. The upper reaches of the river abound in travertine waterfalls, large and small, among which the most attractive is the 11 metre high Veliki buk, while Jankovića buk, adorned with the imposing remains of old mills, is a favourite excursion area. Sailing from Starigrad-Paklenica, it is worth visiting Novigrad – an ancient fishing settlement located at the very mouth of the river, and the fortifications of the Kurjaković princes above the town of Obrovac, also situated on the banks of the Zrmanja River. The most interesting tributary of the Zrmanja River is the Krupa River. The attractive locations on this stream are accessible by the road leading from Starigrad-Paklenica, including the large grass-covered travertine barrier called Deveterac (Niner). It received its name from the 9 travertine cascades that end in a 13 metre high waterfall. Back in the 19th century, a worthy master craftsman constructed the well-known Kudin Bridge using the drystone technique, with 12 arches made of travertine blocks lain on as many stone columns.
