Velebit Nature Park is by far the largest protected area in Croatia with more than 2.000 m².
It is larger than all other protected areas combined. Within the nature park are a number of smaller protected areas, including two national parks, North Velebit and South Paklenica, as well as the strict reserve Hajducki kukovi and Rozanski kukovi.
This area offers a whole range of sights and natural monuments on this magnificent mountain massif, which, in addition to its diversity, its unique geological structure and its rich flora and fauna, is one of the most important in Europe. These are among the most beautiful things Croatia has to offer. That is why the whole mountain range, about 150 km long, is protected and has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the only one in Croatia so far.
North Velebit
Northern Velebit, declared a national park in 1999, is the youngest among eight Croatian national parks. It includes the most attractive and valuable areas of the northern part of Velebit.
In this distinct mountain park, many of its numerous sights are concentrated in a small area. These include the Hajdučki i rožanski kukovi reserve, the Visibaba botanical reserve – the site of the discovery of the endemic Croatian blue spiers (Sibiraea croatica) and the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa botanical reserve, which includes the well-known Velebit Botanical Garden was declared a monument of park architecture.
That is why Croatian mountaineers consider this area to be the greatest jewel in the Croatian mountain world. Due to its isolation from the main roads, there are few visitors, which only increases the mysticism and the elemental natural allure of this area.
Paklenica
The area of Velika and Mala Paklenica was declared a national park in 1949 because of its unique natural features, extraordinary geomorphological forms and beautiful forests.
The main reason for declaring this area a national park was to protect the most preserved and largest forest complex in Dalmatia, which was threatened by overexploitation. Paklenica encompasses the most impressive areas of southern Velebit, including its highest peaks. The main attraction of the park are the two breathtaking gorges, Velika and Mala Paklenica, cut into the mountain and stretching from dizzying heights down to the sea. Standing out from the steep rocks is “Anica kuk”, the most popular destination for Croatian mountaineers.
