A forbidding chain of stark grey mountain peaks, the Velebit mountain range runs for some 140km along the Croatian coast. One of the largest wilderness areas in the country, it is rich in alpine flora and provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife including wolves and bears. It is also a popular hiking destination, with well-maintained trails running up its slopes and along its high-altitude ridges.

Krasno & the Zavižan mountain hut

The northern section of the range falls under the protective aegis of the Northern Velebit National Park (Nacionalni Park Sjeverni Velebit), which maintains a visitors’ centre in the village of Krasno on the northwestern shoulder of the range. A steep but car-accessible road leads from here to the Zavižan mountain hut, just below the peak of Zavižan, which at 1676 metres is the highest peak in this part of the range. The rounded, easily walkable summit of Zavižan provides stunning views of the coast. There is also a botanical garden of hardy alpine plants, accessible via gravel paths, a short walk from the mountain hut.

Premužić trail

The Zavižan mountain hut is also the starting point of the Premužić trail, a well-maintained, 57-km path that runs along the ridges and around the summits of the Velebit range. It’s an exhilarating route, running through pine forests, across meadows, and alongside brittle pinnacles of rock.

Serious hikers can negotiate the whole trail in 2-3 days, making use of refuges along the way. The opening few kilometres are also perfectly accessible for recreational walkers providing they bring solid footwear, and clothing appropriate for the most recent weather forecast.