Municipality of Starigrad: Paklenica, Trails and Mirila

In the Municipality of Starigrad, the gorges of Paklenica National Park meet traces of ancient history. The area offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: climbing routes and trails, protected Mirila, historic buildings, and places that offer insights into local traditions.

Velebit and Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park covers 95 km² on the southern slopes of Velebit. It includes the Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica gorges. The highest peaks of Velebit are also connected with the park: Vaganski vrh is 1,757 metres high, and Sveto brdo is 1,753 metres. This brings together views of the gorges and a landscape that reaches up to the summit region.

The Paklenica climbing area has around 600 equipped and protected routes, with grades ranging from 3 to 8b+. This figure is approximate and may change as routes are added or regraded. The International Climbing Meeting traditionally takes place in Paklenica around 1 May, accompanied by numerous events and competitions. If you want to plan your trip around the meeting, check the dates for your travel year.

Trails and orientation in the area

An eight-kilometre cycling and walking trail leads from the centre of Starigrad-Paklenica through old villages to Seline. A learning trail called “A Short Journey through History” forms part of a cycling and walking route; five panels cover the history of the area from prehistory to the present day.

The “Pjeskarica” learning trail runs for 1.5 kilometres along the eastern bank of the Velika Paklenica stream. It has information panels and rest areas. The approximate duration of the ascent is a helpful guide when planning your visit to Manita peć: it takes about an hour and a half to reach the entrance from the car park in Velika Paklenica. The entrance is at an altitude of 570 metres.

Another prominent site near the entrance to the national park is Paklarić Fortress, at an altitude of 100 metres. A constructed learning trail leads to it, and from there you can enjoy a view across the entire Velebit Channel. The main reception of the national park is at Paklenička ulica bb in Starigrad-Paklenica. The Mala Paklenica reception, Entrance 2, is at Put Jukića bb in Seline. As seasonal access options may change, check the arrangements for this entrance in advance.

Mirila, antiquity and historic buildings

The Mirila are protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia and are associated with the Municipality of Starigrad. Preserved Mirila are located at Grabova dolina, within the boundaries of Paklenica National Park, where they are linked to nearby hamlets. A learning trail from Ljubotić leads to the Bristovačka Mirila, the largest preserved site, with more than 300 Mirila.

The history of Starigrad-Paklenica also reaches far back: the present-day settlement was built on the site of the ancient city of Argyruntum. Under Emperor Tiberius, Argyruntum was granted municipal status between 31 and 35 AD. Večka kula stands at the edge of the so-called Večko Field in Starigrad-Paklenica. It is one of a series of Venetian fortifications built along the Velebit Channel in the 16th century to defend against the Turks.

Between Starigrad and Seline stands the Church of St Peter, a medieval pre-Romanesque church. It was probably built at the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries. Another trace of history is the watermills along the Velika Paklenica stream: 15 mills were built there in the first half of the 19th century. The park administration restored the Srednji Marasovića mill in 2000.

Local traditions and specific points of interest

To learn about the beekeeping tradition, head to the Vrata Velebita estate in the hamlet of Ljubotić. Visitors can tour an ethnographic house with a permanent exhibition about beekeeping and sample Velebit honey and other local specialities by prior arrangement. A circular trail starts and ends at the church in the hamlet of Ljubotić.

The Marasović Ethno House is in the hamlet of Marasovići in Starigrad-Paklenica, close to the national park entrance. It houses a traditional tavern and a permanent exhibition about the tradition of building Mirila. The two houses focus on different things: in Ljubotić, the emphasis is on beekeeping and tastings by prior arrangement; in Marasovići, it is on the tavern and the exhibition about the Mirila tradition.

Discover more destinations: Starigrad-Paklenica, Vinjerac, Tribanj Šibuljina, Tribanj, Seline, Municipality of Pirovac, Municipality of Biograd Na Moru, Municipality of Benkovac.

For the broader travel overview: Zadar County.