Municipality of Lovinac: Velebit, cycling routes and culture

Mountains, nature and water

At 1,752 metres, Sveto Brdo is the highest peak in the Municipality of Lovinac. The 833-metre-high Zir is located in Lovinac and offers panoramic views in every direction. Mount Zir in the Lovinačko kraje is also home to a 350-metre-long cave with a lake. Another cave is Rokina Cave, also known as Brkića Cave: it lies in the mountain above Piplica and is notable for its cave formations. The names and features of these places give the landscape a variety of facets, without turning the mountains, caves and water into a single excursion destination.

Rivers and lakes also shape the municipality. Lake Obsenica, also known as Lake Sv. Rok, is connected by a canal to the Ričica River, which flows on to Lake Štikada. Lake Sv. Rok was restored in 2018 and named “Lovinačka rivijera”; it is considered rich in fish. For families who like to fill their trip with nature watching and varied landscape impressions, this combination of mountain and water destinations offers a distinct theme alongside the trails.

Hiking and cycling

The Ričica educational trail is 2,175 metres long and runs along the north bank of the Ričica River. It passes between the bridges on the roads near Matijevići and Mašića most. At 6,108 metres in total, the Resnik educational trail is considerably longer: it begins on the southern side of the mountain by the access road to the hamlet of Matijevići, runs in two directions across the southern and western or northern sides of the mountain, and ends at the summit of Resnik. Signposts, information boards, and tables and benches for resting are located along the trail.

Four cycling routes are listed for exploring the Lovinac region by bicycle; bicycle rental is available in the PZ Lovinac building. The three-day Srce Velebita cycling festival is a recreational event featuring organised rides and licensed cycling guides through the Velebit Mountains, the Lovinac region and other parts of Lika-Senj County. In addition to the educational trails, cycling and an organised event offer distinct interests to consider when planning a trip.

History and regional cuisine

The remains of the Roman road near Pod Cvitušom are an important archaeological site for understanding Roman road construction and transport routes in Lika. Near Štikada, 23 late-medieval stećak tombstones remain in situ in a medieval cemetery, along with the remains of the Church of the Holy Archangel. In Lovinac, the parish church of St Michael was built in 1704 and structurally altered in the second half of the 18th century and the mid-19th century. The parish church of St Mary Magdalene in Ričice was built in 1795 in the Baroque style and is of architectural, historical and townscape value.

Other built heritage tells the story of everyday life in the area: the 19th-century Travić Mill stands on Banica Creek; the creek’s water powers its grinding mechanism. The stone bridge over the Ričica Creek near Lovinac was also built in the 19th century. Dani sira i ličkog krumpira (Days of Cheese and Lika Potatoes), held in the municipality since 2013, offers a taste of the region. The event showcases the culinary qualities of potatoes and cheese, and visitors can sample both products. The traditional Lika dish “pole” is prepared at the event using various potato varieties.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can decide whether cycling routes, nature and water, hiking trails, or historical and culinary discoveries should be the focus of your trip. For guidance within the municipality, you can also visit the pages for Lovinac and Raduč.

More destinations

Municipality of Rakovica, Municipality of Brinje, Municipality of Udbina, Municipality of Otočac, Municipality of Gospić, Municipality of Karlobag

For the overview of the wider region, see: Lika-Senj.