North Velebit National Park with mountains and sea views and rich autumn scenery
North Velebit National Park is the largest, longest and highest mountain range in Croatia and the largest limestone mountain range in Europe, covering an area of about 109 square kilometers with altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,676 meters. It is the junction of continental and Mediterranean climates, and the park's ecology is composed of various types of habitats such as grassland, shrubs, forests, rocks, etc. These habitats support approximately 3,000 species of plants and animals, many of which are endemic or rare to the harsh environment of high altitude, drought, cold and strong winds, making them one of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
We crossed the mountains from Starigrad on the coast to Babić Siča, the main entrance to the Northern Velebit National Park. After purchasing your ticket (three-day ticket, only 7 euros per person), drive about 20 minutes from Babić Siča to the parking lot of the Zavižan mountain hut. Walk along the Premužić Trail and admire the park's diverse terrain and landforms, such as cliffs, canyons, caves, forests and grasslands. The forests here are lush and dense, and the autumn atmosphere is already in full swing by the end of October. The sky was cloudy and there were not many tourists. Walking on the soft mountain path covered with fallen leaves made me feel more comfortable and relaxed. We passed by Velebit Botanical Garden. As the colorful summer flower season has passed, it is much quieter here and looks like an ordinary valley grassland. Then we will climb to the highest peak in the park, Veliki Zavižan (1676 meters above sea level), for spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea and Rab, Pag and the surrounding islands.