National Park
Paklenica National Park
A dramatic limestone canyon in the Velebit mountains, popular for hiking and rock climbing, with routes suited to both beginners and experienced climbers.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Paklenica National Park cuts into the southern slopes of the Velebit, Croatia's longest mountain range, just above the Adriatic near Starigrad. Two dramatic canyons, Velika and Mala Paklenica, carve through the limestone, with walls rising up to 400 metres.
It's Croatia's leading rock climbing destination, with hundreds of routes from beginner slabs to the big wall of Anića Kuk. Hikers follow the Velika Paklenica canyon to the mountain hut deep in the park, visit the Manita Peć cave, or push on to Vaganski Vrh, the highest peak of Velebit at 1,757 metres, on a long, demanding day.
Starigrad-Paklenica is the base, about 45 minutes from Zadar. Spring and autumn are best for climbing, since the rock gets very hot in summer. Pair a morning in the canyon with an afternoon swim in the sea, just minutes away. From Zadar, boat trips to the Kornati Islands and the lakes of Plitvice are both within reach.
When to go
April through October, with spring and autumn preferred by climbers avoiding summer heat on the rock.
Getting there
Roughly 45 minutes from Zadar or 3 hours from Zagreb by car, near the town of Starigrad.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
National park ticket required
Half day; days for climbing
Starigrad-Paklenica
Zadar, 45 min
Where to stay for Paklenica: Starigrad by the park gate
Stay in Starigrad-Paklenica, the village at the Velika Paklenica entrance, so you can walk to the park. Climbers heading for Anića Kuk want a room close to the gate for early starts before the rock heats up. Hikers who want a swim after the trail can book a seafront room 2 km from the park, like Villa Vicko. Hotel Rajna is the budget pick, a 15 minute walk from the park.
Hotel Rajna
Hotel
Price Range:
Budget
Small family hotel within walking distance of the park, with its own restaurant and packed lunches for long days on the crags and Velebit trails.
15 min walk to the park
Villa Vicko
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Seafront rooms and apartments 2 km from the park. Climb or hike in the morning, swim off the doorstep by the afternoon.
On the seafront, 2 km from the park
Bluesun Holiday Village Alan
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
All-inclusive beach resort with indoor and outdoor pools and a spa. Best for families mixing park hikes with beach days. Closed in winter.
On the beach, 2 km from the park
Who it's for
Best for: Rock climbers, who get hundreds of routes from beginner slabs to the big wall of Anića Kuk, and hikers who want a dramatic canyon 45 minutes from the beach at Zadar.
Skip it if: You are visiting in July or August. The limestone bakes and the canyon holds heat, so spring and autumn are far better. The summit routes are also long, demanding days.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Paklenica questions
Is Paklenica good for beginner climbers?
Yes, routes suit both beginners and experienced climbers, with a range of difficulty levels on the canyon walls.
Where should I base myself for Paklenica?
Starigrad-Paklenica, right at the park entrance. Zadar airport is about 45 minutes away.
What is Anića Kuk?
The big wall in the Velika Paklenica canyon and the park's most famous climb. Beginners start on the easier slabs nearby.
How much does it cost to enter Paklenica?
A national park entry ticket is required at the Velika Paklenica gate, with multi-day tickets available for climbers. Check the official park site for current rates before you travel.
How long do I need?
A half-day covers the Velika Paklenica canyon walk and the Manita Peć cave. Vaganski Vrh, the highest peak of Velebit at 1,757 metres, is a long and demanding full day.
Is Paklenica worth visiting?
Yes, especially for climbers. It is Croatia's leading climbing destination, and the canyon walls rising 400 metres above the trail are impressive whether or not you rope up.
Do I need climbing experience?
Only for the climbing routes. The main canyon hiking trails need no technical skills, and the walk to the Manita Peć cave and the mountain hut is straightforward for most fitness levels.
Can I combine it with the beach?
Yes, easily. The park entrance is minutes from the Adriatic at Starigrad, so a morning in the canyon and an afternoon swim is the standard plan.
Ready to hike Paklenica?
Paklenica is a do-it-yourself park: buy your ticket at the Velika Paklenica gate or online, then hike the canyon to Manita Peć and the mountain hut.
