The vicinity of the Northern Velebit National Park

Krasno

Krasno is the largest and most developed village on the Velebit mountain. It is surrounded by some 15 smaller satellite villages, it has a cheese factory, two saw-mills and a couple of bars and accomodation facilities. It can be reached by road travelling from Otočac via Švica, or from the coast, taking the road from St. Juraj. The HQ of the National Park is founded in Krasno, and from there one can take his way towards the Park, either by using a mountain trail or road towards Zavižan, or the road that leads to Štirovača. Krasno is also famous for its oldest Forestry Office, founded in 1725, which succesfuly operates even nowadays. Not far from Krasno there is also a famous and widely known Sanctuary of St. Mary of Krasno, visited every year by numerous pilgrims.

Senj

www.senj.hr

Otočac

The vicinity of the National Park is also full of interesting sights. First of all, there is an old Croatian town of Otočac, a pitoresque place built on the banks of the Gacka river, mountain clearwater which is drinkable most of its stream. In the vicinity of Otočac there are numerous archeological sights, the gorgeous Gacka springs and the Gacka valley through which the river flows. The valley offers many possiblities for rural tourism and sport fishing. The most beautiful of all are the Springs of Gacka near the village Sinac, with a trout fish pond close by.

Kuterevo

While continuing the journey towards the National Park, you'll find a turn to the ancient village of Kuterevo, famous for its skilful woodcrafters who produce barrels, wooden necessities and musical instruments for centuries. An old legend tells that the famous designer of the legendary Fender guitar, Leo Fender, was inspired by the necks of local musical instrument to construct his fabulous guitar.

One thing that mustn't be missed visiting while in Kuterevo is Refugium Ursorum - a bear orphanage founded by a group of local enthusiasts. We also recommend visiting the Kosinj valley - there's a turn that leads towards it just a few kilometers before entering Krasno. Here you can take a walk near the beautiful banks of Lika river and pay a visit to the largest European fir tree - the Czar's Fir.

Moving further up the road towards Senj, there are several smaller villages situated on the coastal side of the mountain. The road enters the Adriatic Main Road near the coastal village of St. Juraj (St. George's). If you proceed in the direction of Rijeka, in a few minutes you'll enter the town of Senj. On the other hand, if you take the left turn towards the south-west, you have an opportunity of visitig a pitoresque beach in Lukovo, or take a hike throughout the coastal slopes of Velebit and its villages - Ažić Lokva, Gornja (upper) and Donja (lower) Klada. Further down to the south-west you'll reach a ferry port Jablanac with a ferry line that leads to the isle of Rab. From Jablanac there's also a road that leads to the mountain and the south-western entrance to the Park, leading you to the Veliki Alan mountaineers' house. Proceeding south-west, you'll enter Starigrad, a coastal town where's the HQ of another Velebit national Park - the National Park Paklenica. The entire mountain of Velebit was designated the Nature Park in 1981.