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Due to the exceptional beauty of the landscape, the intriguing geomorphology, the extreme jaggedness of the coastline and the incredibly rich marine life, the majority of the Kornati waters was declared a national park in 1980.

The National Park of Paklenica lies between the highest peak of Mt. Velebit (Vaganski vrh, 1758m) and the Adriatic Coast, extending over an area of 95km². Its most attractive features are the monumental canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, whose steep cliffs rising up over 400m have made Paklenica a world famous mountain climbing destination.

The old beech forests, the second biggest black pine reserve in Europe, the mysterious caves, endemic plants and abundant fauna enrich this primeval natural ambience. Paklenica National Park provides a challenge to every nature lover: walker, mountaineer, alpinist, or adventurer.

This national park is a vast area of exceptional and numerous natural riches, for the most part untouched. It encompasses one or more preserved or insignificantly altered ecosystems.

With its seven travertine waterfalls, totalling 242m in height, Krka is a phenomenon of nature and karst. At the very heart of the National Park is a Franciscan monastery, situated on the islet of Visovac.

The area was declared a national park due to the exceptional variety of karst phenomena, the diversity of the fauna and the natural beauty found in a relatively small area.

The park covers an area of 109km² and includes the Hajdučki and Rožanski nature reserves, which represent a specific geomorphologic phenomenon where over 150 pits have been discovered to date, the best-known of which is Lukina jama (Luka’s pit), one of the deepest in the world and discovered in 1999.

The Plitvice Lakes are Croatia’s best-known national park and are considered to be among the most beautiful sights in Europe. Because of their natural diversity, UNESCO has included the lakes on the list of World Heritage Sites.

Plitvice Lakes consist of 16 interconnected lakes with numerous waterfalls and surrounded by dense forest. Visitors will find many walking trails with small wooden bridges across the lakes, just above the still water’s surface.

The town of Zadar is the centre of the region and was founded 3000 years ago. It is impressive for its architecture, museums and churches, as well as its rich cultural life and the entertainment it offers.

Ljubotić is one of the rare mountain settlements that is still active and has retained its ancient character. It is situated in a green oasis on the slopes of Mt. Velebit and yet so near to the coast (3km above the town of Tribanj-Kruščica).

It is possible to try simple local specialities, and to visit an ethnic house and a permanent exhibition on the development of beekeeping in Dalmatia and the Mediterranean (in preparation) at the rural homestead of Vrata Velebit (the Gates of Velebit).

Nearby, there is the Mirila educational trail, while experienced hikers will gladly head to more distant but attractive locations, like Stap, Kamena galerija (Stone Gallery) and Reljina Cave.

The Zrmanja River delights with its crystal clear waters wending their way through an imposing, 200-metre-deep canyon before merging with the waters of the sea at the town of Novigrad. The upper reaches of the river abound in travertine waterfalls, both large and small, among which the most attractive is the 11-metre-high Veliki buk, while Jankovića buk, bedecked with the striking remains of old mills, is a popular area for excursions. Sailing from Starigrad-Paklenica, Novigrad – an ancient fishing settlement situated at the very mouth of the river – is worth a visit, as are the fortifications of the Kurjaković princes above the town of Obrovac, which is also situated on the banks of the Zrmanja River.

The most interesting tributary of the Zrmanja River is the Krupa. The attractive locations on this stream, like, for example, Deveterac, a large, grass-covered travertine barrier, can be reached by road from Starigrad-Paklenica. The barrier takes its name from the nine travertine cascades that culminate in a 13-metre-high waterfall. Way back in the 19th century, an industrious craftsman constructed the well-known dry-stone Kudin Bridge here, with 12 arches built from travertine blocks placed on the same number of stone columns.

It is only possible to reach many of the attractive locations in the Velebit region by all-terrain vehicle. Hence, you can travel by jeep to Tulove Grede and the Zrmanja River canyon – the locations where the legendary Winnetou films were made, drive along the historical Velebit roads, and visit Krupa monastery.

We highly recommend a visit to the spring of the shortest river in Croatia - the Krnjeza. Its source is located at the bottom of a 60-metre-deep cave, decorated with calcite curtains and stalactites and stalagmites at the entrance, and it flows into the Zrmanja River after only 600m. Although short, in some places it is up to 45-metres deep, the water is ice cold and clear, perfect for drinking.

Source www.rivijera-paklenica.hr