Paklenica

Paklenica National Park covers an area of the coastal slope of southern Velebit, just above the village Marasovic to the highest mountain peaks: Vaganski vrh, Babin vrh, Holy Mountain. On a relatively small area facing the very richness of geomorphological phenomena and shapes, varied flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes and unspoiled nature.

Certainly the most attractive and most valuable parts of southern Velebit are impressive canyons of Big and Small Paklenica. National Park Paklenica abounds with numerous karst relief forms, among which are very important forms of underground, caves and pits. Caves highly processed to increase the value of National Park, since it is a significant paleontological, archaeological, ethnographic and tourist place. Valuable paleontological place is in the cave Zubu Buljme. In that cave is fund bear skull (Ursus spelaeus) old about 30 000 years.

In Paklenica National Park, there are several permanent or seasonal flow and more permanent sources. Permanent sources of drinking water, which is characterized by excellent quality, are Strazbenica, Kontinovo vrilo, Crno vrilo, Velika Mocila and Pecica. The strongest source in Velika Paklenica is the source of Ivine Vodice, at an altitude of about 1200 m, then Kontinovo vrilo to 870 m, Crno Vrilo 780 m, ans Jukića vrilo on 600 m.

The richness of plant life is reflected in the census of 1000 so far recorded plant species and subspecies, of which 79 endemic. The diverse habitats in the area of Paklenica and altitude stratification, providing a diverse fauna of home. From the day they recorded 84 butterfly species in the park. In the group of amphibians and reptiles, was recorded 31 species. Among the snakes, 11 species have been recorded. Birds are the largest group of vertebrates, and has so far recorded 230 species. In the group of mammals, 53 species were recorded. Of large species in the area of the park may encounter deer, deer, chamois and wild boar. Of beasts in the area of the park are inhabited by brown bears, wolves, lynx, fox and wild cat.

Hiking is the only way to really know Paklenica. In the area of the park there is a 150-200 km of paths and roads, who from the canyon of Velika Paklenica, leading to Manita pec, forester's house "Lugarnica" and a chalet, the mountain that lead to the highest peaks of Velebit. Trails in the Park marked the tables and marked hiking signs.

National Park Paklenica is also the most important Croatian climbing center, known outside the Croatian borders. The special charm of this makes climbing and proximity to the seacoast, and the Paklenica Riviera is the ideal place to combine climbing and water sports.