About Park

General information

THE PROCLAMATION DATE: October 19^th, 1949

THE HIGHEST PEAKS: Vaganski vrh (1757 m a.s.l.) and Sveto brdo (1753 m a.s.l.)

INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

- Velebit Mountain Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO MaB), February 10^th, 1978
- Ecological network NATURA 2000 December 1^st, 2014
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, July 7^th, 2017

"Manita peć" Cave

Among 115 speleological objects so far known in the Paklenica National Park, Manita peć is the most famous among the visitors, as it is the only show cave made accessible to the public through guided visits. The cave's broad chambers and the beauty of its speleothems have been enchanting visitors since 1937. It is located at an altitude of 570 m a.s.l, and the walk up from the parking lot at Velika Paklenica takes about 1.30 h.

Hiking trails

Hiking is the only way to truly get to know Paklenica. The Park area contains 150-200 km of trails and paths, from those characterized as tourist trails - leading from Velika Paklenica canyon to Manita peć cave, Lugarnica foresters house and Paklenica Mountain hut, to those characterized as hiking trails - leading to the highest peaks of the Velebit Mountain.

Climbing site

Paklenica National Park is the most visited climbing center in Croatia, also popular outside Croatia. The close proximity of seawater gives this climbing site a special charm, making Paklenica Riviera an ideal place to combine climbing and water sports. Today, there are about 500 well-equipped marked routes of different difficulty and length (from grade 3 to 8b+), set in the carbonate rocks, so each climber can find something to his/her liking.

About Park

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DATE OF PROCLAMATION OF THE PROTECTED AREA: October 19th,1949

PROCLAMATION ACT:
The Act on Proclamation of Paklenica Forest a National Park (Official Gazette no. 84/49);
The Act on Amendments to the Act on Proclamation of Paklenica Forest a National Park (Official Gazette no. 15/97)

AREA: 95 km²

HIGHEST PEAKS: Vaganski vrh 1 757 m a.s.l., Sveto brdo 1 753 m a.s.l.
COUNTIES: Zadar (64 km²) and Lika-Senj (31 km²)

TOWN: Gospić

MUNICIPALITIES: Starigrad and Lovinac

INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE (Velebit Mountain BR), February 10^th, 1978
NATURA 2000 SITE, December 1^st, 2014
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, July 7^th, 2017

Due to its unique natural features, magnificent forests and extraordinary geomorphologic structures, the area of Velika and Mala Paklenica was proclaimed a national park in 1949. The main reason for proclaiming this area a national park was the protection of the largest and best-preserved forest complex in the territory of Dalmatia, which was threatened by overexploitation. The Paklenica National Park on the area of 95 km², and includes the highest peaks of the Velebit Mountain - Vaganski vrh (1752 m a.s.l.) and Sveto brdo (1753 m a.s.l.).
It covers the area of torrent flows of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, and their distinctive canyons carved vertically into the southern slopes of the Velebit Mountain as well as their surrounding area. The relatively small area has an abundance of geomorphological phenomena and forms, diverse flora and fauna, attractive landscapes and intact nature. Different habitats in the area of Paklenica National Park, along with elevation stratification, provide an important home for diverse flora and fauna.

Distinctive features of Paklenica National Park are autochthonous forests of Black Pine, several types of Beech forests and deep canyons with torrent flows of Velika and Mala Paklenica. Within the Paklenica National Park borders there are numerous testaments of interesting and unique cultural heritage.

The name Paklenica probably derives from Black Pine sap called “paklina”, which the locals used in traditional medicine, for wound treatment, for light, and for coating wooden boats.