Frommer's EasyGuide to Croatia by Jane Foster

Author:Jane Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FrommerMedia
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Zadar Environs

Zadar is the point of departure for many other destinations in Upper Dalmatia. From the city, it’s an easy drive to Paklenica National Park, a challenging environment for hikers, rock climbers, and spelunkers. You can also drive over to the nearby island of Pag, joined to the mainland by a bridge close to its southern tip, and travel up the island to the lively little resort of Novalja with its late-night bars lining Zre beach.

Zadar is also a ferry port for the decidedly undeveloped northern Dalmatian islands of Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi Otok, and Silba. Sometimes known as the islands of the Zadar Archipelago (see p. 135), the first three are the most visited, but none are overrun by tourists. In addition, there are daily excursion boats from Zadar that depart for tours around Kornati National Park, which is really a portion of the southern islands of the Zadar Archipelago.

South of Zadar, on the way to Split in Lower Dalmatia, you’ll pass Šibenik, a charming seaside town which is often overlooked by vacationers, but more than warrants a visit. It is accessible by bus or car.

Paklenica National Park

Essentials

Visitor Information Paklenica information can be had at the Starigrad Paklenica tourism office (www.rivijera-paklenica.hr; 023/369-255) at Trg Tome Marašovia 1, which is open from June through September.

Getting There Paklenica is a little less than 3 hours from Zagreb on the Zagreb-Split highway. Exit at the sign for the park (before you get to Zadar) and continue on the old road that skirts the sea. You’ll pass lots of sobe signs before you get to Starigrad Paklenica; a sign pointing to the park turns into a one-lane road that appears to go through a residential area. This road leads to park reception, where you can leave your car, buy a ticket, and enter the park on foot. There is no direct public transportation to the park.

Getting Around Paklenica is all about walking and climbing. No motorized vehicles are allowed inside the park boundaries.

What to See & Do

Paklenica is the Velebit’s best hiking territory and has many gorges, mountains, and caves to tempt adventurous explorers.

Paklenica National Park Paklenica National Park, which encompasses a 20km (13 mile) stretch of the southeastern slopes of the Velebit mountains, is a haven for hikers and free-climbers. The entrance to the park, at Starigrad Paklenica, lies 44km (28 miles) north of Zadar. From here, with the help of maps (available at the park entrance), you can set out to explore over 40km (60 miles) of well-marked hiking trails. You might plan anything from a couple of hours of strolling to a full 2-day trek, and the farther you go, the more wild the mountainous landscape becomes, taking in limestone gorges, dense pine forests, and dramatic rocky peaks. You might even spot rare birds of prey such as falcons and eagles. Camping within the park is not allowed, but there are a couple of mountain huts offering basic accommodation (information is available at the park entrance) for hikers. Be sure to wear good hiking boots and carry a big bottle of water.

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