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- Velika Paklenica (Big Gorge) — the park’s signature canyon: a wide, gravelly riverbed squeezed between sheer limestone walls that tower 700-800 meters above you. Great for straight-up scenic hiking, easy river walks, and feeling very small in a good way.
- Mala Paklenica (Small Gorge) — a narrower, quieter sister gorge with tighter passages, more shade and wildflowers in spring. Shorter hikes and a nice escape if Velika is busy.
- Anića Kuk — the massive, photogenic cliff face at the mouth of Velika Gorge that made Paklenica a rock-climbing hotspot. Even if you don’t climb, scrambling nearby or watching climbers on long routes is worth the visit.
- Manita Peć Cave — the largest cave in the park with big chambers, stalactites and resident bat colonies. Guided tours give a cool underground contrast
- Velika Paklenica (Big Gorge) — the park’s signature canyon: a wide, gravelly riverbed squeezed between sheer limestone walls that tower 700-800 meters above you. Great for straight-up scenic hiking, easy river walks, and feeling very small in a good way.
- Mala Paklenica (Small Gorge) — a narrower, quieter sister gorge with tighter passages, more shade and wildflowers in spring. Shorter hikes and a nice escape if Velika is busy.
- Anića Kuk — the massive, photogenic cliff face at the mouth of Velika Gorge that made Paklenica a rock-climbing hotspot. Even if you don’t climb, scrambling nearby or watching climbers on long routes is worth the visit.
- Manita Peć Cave — the largest cave in the park with big chambers, stalactites and resident bat colonies. Guided tours give a cool underground contrast to the sunbaked canyons above.
- Velebit ridge and Vaganski vrh trail — head up from the park onto the Velebit massif for alpine panoramas: islands and the Adriatic on one side, karst plateaus on the other. Long day or overnight routes, but the views repay the effort.
- Endemic flora (Degenia and other mountain plants) — the park shelters rare, local plants that only grow on Velebit’s limestone. Spring blooms and tiny alpine flowers make the rocky slopes surprisingly colorful up close.
- Wildlife and birds — chamois, foxes, cave bats and raptors (watch for griffon vultures on thermals) are all possible sightings. Early morning or late afternoon hikes up the ridges give the best chances.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.