On the Terezijana educational trail, hiking and history meet: the historic road was built in 1786 to improve the connection between Gospić and Karlobag, and is classified as a cultural asset. The trail runs for three kilometres from Baške Oštarije to Konjsko and is reserved exclusively for pedestrians. Allow approximately three hours for this route.
Hiking trails at different scales
The Premužić Trail also connects Baške Oštarije with a wider Velebit experience: the 57-kilometre route runs from Zavižan to Baške Oštarije. It has no major ascents and can therefore also be hiked by people who are not used to mountain hiking. For another hike in Baške Oštarije, the trail to Ljubičko brdo starts at the Church of St. Elizabeth.
The Municipality of Karlobag encompasses the southwestern coastal and mountainous area of Velebit. The different trail descriptions provide specific points of reference for your planning: for the Terezijana, the length and approximate duration are given; for the Premužić Trail, the total length and route between two places are specified. The hike to Ljubičko brdo is identified by its starting point at the Church of St. Elizabeth.
Building history and preserved details
The Capuchin monastery and the Church of St. Joseph feature a notable rainwater cistern: it is six metres in diameter and holds about 180,000 litres. Also located there is a wooden stand for the psalter, dating from the 18th century, known as the “legil”. The theological library contains literature from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The cistern, liturgical object and library illustrate three different aspects of the complex—water management, church art and religious scholarship.
The Church of St. Charles Borromeo was built in 1710 on the foundations of the Church of St. John. After being badly damaged in 1943, its remains were demolished in 1958; part of the wall and the entire bell tower have survived. At Fortica, meanwhile, the remains of a small square fortress from the 13th or 14th century preserve a defensive tower. A chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows was built on Kalvarija in 1727 and converted into a small church in 1740.
Views, the sea and climbing
The Kubus was erected in 1846; 33 steps lead up to it. From there, you can see Karlobag, the island of Pag and the entire Velebit Channel. This makes the Kubus a prominent spot if you are interested in views and scenery. The buildings and places mentioned also tell the story of different periods, from the medieval fortress and church buildings to this 19th-century structure.
Activities on the water and on the rocks are also among the things to do in Karlobag. May to November is an especially pleasant time for diving, thanks to the comfortable sea temperatures. The “Atlantida” diving club has its centre at Obala Vladimira Nazora bb in Karlobag. In the Ravni Dabar climbing area, sport climbing is permitted on the rocks Visibaba/Agin kuk, Čelina kuk and Rujičin kuk. Check the local rules before climbing.
Local life and getting around
Karlobag lies on the Adriatic Highway, which follows the coast from Rijeka to Dubrovnik. Shops, restaurants and souvenir stores are located in the centre of Karlobag. The cuisine combines Mediterranean and continental influences in the Velebit style. When choosing accommodation and planning your trip, you can take different interests into account: historic buildings, hiking, diving, climbing or a stay with time to explore the town centre.
Discover more destinations: Karlobag, Baric Draga, Cesarica, Lukovo Sugarje, Vidovac Cesarički, Sušanj Cesarički, Municipality of Rakovica and Municipality of Otočac.
Go to the wider travel overview: Lika-Senj.
