Lika-Senj: Mountains, Coast and Special Discoveries

Lika-Senj combines impressive natural destinations with stories that tell of life in the region. You can choose from a range of experiences, including trails in the Velebit, caves and lakes, Nikola Tesla’s legacy, and regional cheese culture. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first considering which experiences you would like to shape your trip.

Trails through mountains and landscapes

The Velebit is Croatia’s largest mountain range, about 145 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide. Those interested in longer hikes can follow the 57-kilometre Premužić Trail, which connects the peaks of the northern and central Velebit: it runs from Zavižan to Baške Oštarije. In Northern Velebit National Park, two trails lead to Veliki Zavižan, the park’s highest peak at 1,676 metres. These details help you choose between an extended hike and a visit focused on a specific peak.

For a shorter exploration of the landscape, visit the Velebit Botanical Garden: it is a 15-minute walk from the Zavižan mountain hut and has a 600-metre circular stone path. The Theresiana educational trail also connects natural and cultural history. Its three-kilometre section follows the old Austro-Hungarian Teresiana road, which connects Gospić with the port of Karlobag. Along the way, views open up over the rocky plateau of Oštarije, as well as the Adriatic and the islands of the Zadar and Kvarner archipelagos.

Lakes, caves and knowledge of nature

At Plitvice Lakes National Park, there are seven different routes for exploring the lake system and four hiking trails to choose from. This gives you different ways to include a visit to the lakes and a hike in your day’s plans. In Krasno, Velebit House, the visitor and information centre for Northern Velebit National Park, offers insights into the climate, species, habitats, cultural heritage, geology and underground. One of its special experiences is access to caves via a special lift.

Samograd Cave is part of Grabovača Cave Park and is the park’s largest and most attractive cave. It is a geomorphological natural monument and one of Croatia’s oldest show caves. Grabovača is considered Europe’s only cave park. The caves offer visitors a distinctive way to explore the region, quite different from its mountain trails and lakes.

History, crafts and regional cuisine

The “Nikola Tesla” Memorial Centre in Smiljan comprises Tesla’s restored birthplace, a new museum exhibition, the surrounding area, outdoor monuments and newly built facilities. It opened on 10 July 2006. The exhibition focuses on Tesla’s life and the village of Smiljan, with which he was closely connected and where he was born. Another historic site is Nehaj Fortress: it was built in 1558, when Senj was resisting numerous attacks by the Turks and Venice.

A few surviving mills at the Gacka River’s sources recall a traditional craft that has since died out. In the 20th century, about sixty mills operated along the Gacka and its tributaries. Majerovo vrilo, the source of the Gacka, can be reached from motorway exit 10 near Otočac by taking the road towards Vrhovine, Korenica and Plitvice, then turning off towards Sinac. For a taste of regional food culture, follow the cheese route of Lika-Senj County: it takes visitors to large and small dairies and several dozen family businesses that produce cheese and dairy products in the county.

Coastal trails and special insights

Zavratnica can be reached from Jablanac via a 30-minute trail along the coast. In Kuterevo, the bear sanctuary protects orphaned bears and informs visitors about wildlife and bear habitats. Also in Kuterevo, a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mount Carmel takes place each year from 13 to 16 July. Alongside nature trails and historic sites, these offer opportunities to encounter wildlife and local traditions as distinct interests for your trip.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can weigh up these different interests: extensive mountain trails, a shorter walk in the Botanical Garden, lakes and caves, or cultural and culinary destinations. The municipalities below offer further guidance: Municipality of Karlobag, Municipality of Senj, Municipality of Gospić, Municipality of Otočac, Municipality of Plitvička Jezera, Municipality of Brinje, Municipality of Rakovica, Municipality of Donji Lapac, Municipality of Lovinac, Municipality of Perušić and Municipality of Udbina.

For the broader travel overview: Croatia.