When planning a trip to Starigrad-Paklenica, it is also worth exploring the wider destination of Općina Starigrad. Mountain scenery, trails and traces of different eras offer distinct focal points to choose from.

Mountains and Trails in the Wider Destination of Općina Starigrad

Općina Starigrad includes part of Paklenica National Park. The park is a 95 km² protected mountain landscape on the southern slopes of Velebit and includes the deeply cut gorges of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica. Among its highest peaks in the Velebit range are Vaganski vrh at 1,757 m and Sveto brdo at 1,753 m.

The trail network in Paklenica comprises 150 to 200 km of paths and trails, which are signposted and marked. Tourist routes include trails from the Velika Paklenica gorge to Manita peć Cave, the Lugarnica forest lodge and the mountain hut. There are also mountaineering routes leading towards the highest Velebit peaks. This choice clearly distinguishes between destinations in the gorge area and routes towards the peaks.

There is specific information to help you plan a visit to Manita peć: the cave entrance is at an elevation of 570 m, and the ascent from the car park in Velika Paklenica takes about an hour and a half. The Pjeskarica educational trail offers a different focus. It runs for 1.5 km along the eastern bank of the Velika Paklenica stream and is equipped with information boards and rest areas.

Climbing is another activity available in the Paklenica area. There are about 600 equipped and bolted limestone routes, graded from 3 to 8b+. The proximity of the sea makes it possible to combine climbing with water sports. This means mountain and coastal activities sit side by side in the wider destination, without having to be combined into a set daily itinerary.

History and Cultural Heritage

Starigrad-Paklenica developed on the site of the ancient town of Argyruntum. Under Emperor Tiberius, between 31 and 35 AD, Argyruntum was granted the status of a municipium. Another historical trace is Večka kula, on the edge of the so-called Večko Field in Starigrad-Paklenica. It is one of a series of Venetian fortifications built along the Velebit Channel in the 16th century to defend against the Turks.

The Church of St Peter, a medieval pre-Romanesque church, stands between Starigrad and Seline. It was probably built at the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries. Another way to explore the past is the “A Short Journey through History” educational trail. Part of the cycling and walking route, it traces the history of the area from prehistory to the present day with five information boards.

Preserved Mirila can be found in the national park at Grabova dolina, and are associated with nearby hamlets. The Mirila in Općina Starigrad are protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. Bristovačka Mirila are another significant site: the educational trail from Ljubotić leads to this largest preserved site, with more than 300 Mirila. A circular trail starts and ends at the church in the hamlet of Ljubotić.

Industrial history is present along the Velika Paklenica stream: 15 watermills were built there in the first half of the 19th century. Together with the Mirila and historic buildings, sites like these show that the cultural history of the wider destination is not limited to a single era.

Special Places and Trip Planning

The Marasović Ethno House is located in Starigrad-Paklenica, in the hamlet of Marasovići and close to the entrance to Paklenica National Park. It houses a traditional konoba and a permanent exhibition on the tradition of building Mirila. Another option is the Vrata Velebita estate in the hamlet of Ljubotić: by prior arrangement, visitors can tour an ethno house with a permanent beekeeping exhibition and sample Velebit honey and other local specialties. Advance booking is therefore part of planning this visit.

The International Climbing Meeting traditionally takes place in Paklenica around 1 May, accompanied by events and competitions. If you would like to plan your trip around the meeting, check the dates in advance for the year you intend to travel. Nature trails, climbing and cultural sites offer different reasons to explore the wider destination of Općina Starigrad.

Discover more destinations: Tribanj Šibuljina, Vinjerac, Seline, Tribanj

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Općina Starigrad.