{"id":3914,"date":"2026-03-25T17:20:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uzisibalkaninak.com\/?p=3914"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:26:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T15:26:34","slug":"excursion-through-the-velika-paklenica-canyon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uzisibalkaninak.com\/index.php\/en\/2026\/03\/25\/excursion-through-the-velika-paklenica-canyon\/","title":{"rendered":"Excursion through the Velika Paklenica Canyon"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve been to the Velika Paklenica Canyon many times, in different seasons, in different weather conditions and at different times of day, so today I\u2019ll be sharing a wide variety of photos from my numerous trips to this unique Croatian national park.<\/p>\n

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A view of Paklenica from the car<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paklenica National Park forms part of the Velebit mountain range, specifically its southern side. The Velebit is, in fact, a vast karst region \u2013 at least on its coastal side. In summer, when the sun is beating down, it really is like a \u2018sauna\u2019 here \u263a. There is also a shortage of water here; the springs are \u2018stingy\u2019 and dry up during the summer heatwaves. But there is one place where, even in summer, there is no shortage of water, shade and greenery. That place is the Velika Paklenica Canyon, part of one of Croatia\u2019s eight national parks.<\/p>\n

A view of the canyon from the opposite side \u2013 from the foot of Vagan Peak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main feature of this canyon is the Paklenica stream, which never runs dry in its upper reaches, even in the height of summer. It is (together with the Mala Paklenica stream) the only permanent watercourse on the sea-facing side of Velebit. It rises at an altitude of 1,250 metres below the Ivine Vodice area and, for the first 5 kilometres, flows through lush woodland, forming no waterfalls and descending only gradually. At the Paklenica Mountain Rescue Service hut, it joins the Brezimenja\u0107 stream and begins its magnificent journey towards the sea. The stream varies in pace \u2013 in some places it \u2018slows to a crawl\u2019, whilst in others its flow is very rapid. In some places, its canyon reaches a depth of up to 100 metres. This gives rise to magnificent waterfalls. At the foot of Ani\u0107a Kuk hill, the river almost \u2018falls asleep\u2019 and then enters the deepest part of the canyon, where it overcomes the greatest drop and encounters the greatest obstacles. This results in wilder waterfalls. It then calms down again and flows into the sea on the plain. The Paklenica stream is only 14 km long, but on its journey it has managed to create some truly beautiful features.<\/p>\n