Lika-Senj: Discover Mountains, Caves and Culture

Seven different routes are available for exploring the lake system in Plitvice Lakes National Park, along with four hiking trails. In Lika-Senj, travel experiences range from these routes to high-mountain trails, caves, coastal paths and places steeped in history. This lets you plan your trip around the landscapes and themes that interest you most. Check the national park’s latest notices before setting out.

Trails and Landscapes in Velebit

Velebit is Croatia’s largest mountain range, about 145 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide. At the Velebit Botanical Garden, you’ll find a 600-metre circular stone trail. The garden is a 15-minute walk from Zavižan Mountain Hut. The 57-kilometre Premužić Trail offers a very different scale: it links the peaks of the northern and central Velebit, from Zavižan to Baške Oštarije. Trail conditions may vary seasonally.

In Northern Velebit National Park, two trails lead to Veliki Zavižan, the park’s highest peak at 1,676 metres. Check trail conditions before setting out. The Velebit House in Krasno is the visitor and information centre for Northern Velebit National Park. It explores topics such as climate, species, habitats, cultural heritage, geology and the underground world of northern Velebit. Special experiences include access to caves using a dedicated lift. Opening hours may change, so it’s best to check them before your visit.

Samograd Cave offers another distinctive experience: it is considered the largest and most attractive cave in Grabovača Cave Park, is a geomorphological natural monument, and is one of Croatia’s oldest show caves. Grabovača Cave Park is presented as Europe’s only cave park. The region thus offers nature experiences both above and below ground.

Coastal Trails and Views

From Jablanac, Zavratnica can be reached by a 30-minute trail along the coast. Trail conditions may vary. The Theresiana Educational Trail includes a three-kilometre section of the old Austro-Hungarian Teresiana road, which connects Gospić with the port of Karlobag. Along the way, you’ll find views of the rocky plateau of Oštarije, as well as the Adriatic Sea and the islands of the Zadar and Kvarner archipelagos.

Cultural History and Local Traditions

In Smiljan, the “Nikola Tesla” Memorial Centre is dedicated to Tesla’s life and to the village with which he was closely connected and where he was born. The centre includes Tesla’s restored birth house, a new museum exhibition, the surrounding area, outdoor monuments and newly built facilities. It opened on 10 July 2006. Nehaj Fortress in Senj takes you further back in history: it was built in 1558, when Senj was resisting numerous attacks by the Turks and Venice.

Today, only a few of the approximately sixty mills that operated along the Gacka River and its tributaries in the 20th century remain at the Gacka springs. They preserve the memory of an old, long-lost craft. Kuterevo Bear Refuge provides a safe haven for orphaned bears and includes educating visitors about wildlife and bear habitat. Kuterevo also hosts an annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mount Carmel from 13 to 16 July. The exact programme may change.

Cheesemakers and Regional Produce

The Lika-Senj County Cheese Route takes you to large and small dairies, as well as several dozen family businesses that produce cheese and dairy products in the county. If you’d like to include these stops in your travel plans, check the latest listings: participating businesses and producers may change.

Getting Around

You can reach Majerovo vrilo, the source of the Gacka River, from motorway exit 10 near Otočac by taking the road towards Vrhovine, Korenica and Plitvice, followed by a turn-off for Sinac. Road conditions may change, so take this into account when planning your trip. Together with the different trail lengths, cultural sites and seasonal notices, this gives you a practical starting point for choosing what to focus on during your trip through Lika-Senj.

Discover More Destinations

Općina Karlobag, Općina Senj, Općina Gospić, Općina Otočac, Općina Plitvička Jezera, Općina Brinje, Općina Rakovica, Općina Donji Lapac, Općina Lovinac, Općina Perušić, Općina Udbina.

For the broader travel overview: Croatia.