Bojin Kuk

Google Earth

Since Google has blessed us with its magical Google Earth software you can visit any corner of the world from the chair parked in front of your computer. Thankfully Velebit is amazingly clear so you can discover its corners and see for yourself how it looks from the above and where are the places this page is dedicated to.

Each geographical point of interest described on this page has coordinates on the top of its section. You can use these coordinates with Google Earth’s fly to search engine. Just copy the coordinates (like it is written, with coma) and paste them into fly to tab and press enter. And, of course, enjoy the flight!

Intro

Velebit rises straight from the sea, almost along its whole length. It does not have a simple uninterrupted slope. Elevation from the sea to highest peaks of particular part of mountain is gained over at least 2 steps, sometimes even more. This is recognizable along whole mountain. Part of South Velebit where Bojinac group is located rises above the sea in 2 steps. Between them is large Rujno terrace or plateau. Bojinac is group in the streak of peaks of 1st step, right above the sea. Together with Stap area it is its most interesting part.


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Overview

44°20'56.64"N, 15°24'49.77"E


If one views Velebit as huge karst museum on open and is particularly interested in rock and its various formations Bojinac group is one of the highlights of museum. Towers, pillars, furrowed limestone cliffs, soft green meadows, caves and holes is a quick list of some of the attractions one can find in this theme park. Although rock is predominant feature here this is not rocky desert but beautiful combination of white limestone and greenery. Especially beautiful are soft green meadows surrounded with picturesque white cliffs and towers of which some are really bizarre. Such spots are so romantic and calm that one could spend all day just lying in grass, relaxing and absorbing the scents and sounds of nature. Around meadows and on them there are groves of oak, hornbeam and maple groves while above 850m beech dominates in tree category.

Bojinac group rises straight above the sea and offers wonderful views in all directions. Behind the group is Veliko Rujno, larger part of Rujno plateau, and Viserujna (1632m). Together they form a compact area of fantastic beauty. All mentioned was reason why Bojinac was included in Paklenica National Park whose heart is nearby Paklenica canyons. Unfortunately because of local interests Rujno plateau was excluded from national park. More about it you can find in Veliko Rujno section on Viserujna & Rujno page.

Highest peak of Bojinac is Bojin Kuk (1110m). It is huge rock block which dominates above all other surrounding cliffs and looks like insurmountable fortress for anyone but climbers. Its SE side, visible when approaching via normal route from Milovac, is most striking. Although not as high, it always reminded me of Devils Tower, especially because its compact rock block is furrowed by numerous small channels or cuts made by water (rainfall or snow) which melts limestone. All around Bojin Kuk are numerous smaller cliffs and towers and green meadows making this area most beautiful in group. Like any peak Bojin Kuk has weak points that are used by two marked routes which climb it. Both have climbing character. NW route is easier and easy, recommended for descent while S route is tougher and better for ascent. Bojin Kuk is also attractive goal for climbers with its smooth cliffs, especially N face which even has some overhanging sections. Routes are around 100m high.

Other eminent cliffs which have a name are: Krilati Kuk (941m), Zlibati Kuk (810m), Katica Kuk (1010m) and so on. Most interesting of them is small Jagin Kuk which is placed in the middle of large rocky basin with soft meadows at the bottom, just below Bojin Kuk and by the Milovac route. Why? You’ll get the idea from the photo. It is important to explain word Kuk which is mentioned in so many names of peaks all over the Dinaric Alps but mostly on Velebit. In Croatian Kuk literally means Hip (bone) and it was used by local people to describe smooth cliff.

If you read overviews of Rozanski Kukovi, Stap or Crnopac (1404m) pages you’ll remember the name of Slavko Tomerlin, most deserving Velebit explorer, enthusiast, path and refuge builder in past 50 years. Paths of Bojinac group are also his work from 1971. Also he arranged a refuge in a small cave placed at the foot of North face of Bojin Kuk. Cave has two rooms which are connected by very narrow passage. Floor of back room which is used as sleeping one is strewn with thick layer of beech leafs.

Views

Bojin Kuk is fantastic view point. Panorama is easily described. 180° of it, from NW to SE, belongs to most beautiful part of South Velebit while other 180° from SE to NW is belongs to sea which is strewn with numerous islands and shore with deep bays.

NW: long undulating area of rocky peaks and towers of first step of South Velebit. Far in the back ground, above it all are Veliki Stolac (1401m) & Siljevo Brdo (1450m) peaks in Sugarska Duliba area. In front of them is Stap area with Debeli Kuk (1269m) and Stapina (1125m) tower. Left of it is Velebit channel, Pag & Losinj and numerous smaller islands. Right of it all is streak of peaks of second step led by Veliko Ploce (1355m), sharp Bobicki Kuk (1425m), Vilinski Kuk (1401m), Buljma (1420m) & Celopek (1414m) above Ribnicka Vrata pass. Below them is Rujno plateau. Behind Rujanska Kosa moraine, which splits Rujno in two parts, is Malo Rujno while in front of it is Veliko Rujno.

N: right of streak of peaks above Malo Rujno is broad Ribnicka Vrata pass. Behind them in the distance are grassy peaks of Golovrhe (1584m) which are in the continental streak of peaks. Right of Ribnicka Vrata is huge, 4km wide Viserujna (1632m). Veliko Rujno plateau is placed between it and Bojinac.

NE & E: right of Viserujna is Buljma pass (1400m) which marks the beginning of highest peaks groups above Paklenica area. Far on the right of the group stands high cone of Sveto Brdo (1751m). In front of the group stands broad Veliki Golic (1265m) with its parallel layers of rock.

SE: on the shore of Velebit channel below mountain are tiny white houses in Starigrad Paklenica. Behind Velebit channel is larger Novigradsko More sea and further back smaller Karinsko More sea. Left of Karnisko More is small Orljak (657m) massif.

S: this direction is dominated by large flat lands of Ravni Kotari county. If visibility is good you’ll be able to notice buildings of Zadar city on the opposite shore. Behind are numerous islands of Sibenik & Zadar archipelagos, including Kornati archipelagos which are national park.

SW: at the end Bocetina peninsula is Paski Most bridge which connects land with Pag island. Area behind is sea placed between land and Pag island and has many bays. Further back are islands of Zadar archipelagow.

W: in this direction are only sea and islands. Closest to Velebit is Pag. Behind it is Vir. Behind them are dozens of other island in Zadar archipelagos like Premuda, Silba, Olib, Ist, Molat and many other.

Hike Advices

Bojinac and Bojin Kuk is small enough area for one day trips. You can access it from the coast or surrounding parts of Velebit. It can be daily goal or a detour for example on the way from Stap area to Paklenica area. Here are few combinations.

1) simplest and very beautiful daily combination is to start from Milovac, which is normal access route, and climb Bojin Kuk. From the summit descent to Rujno via Bojin Kuk – Liskovi Dolac – Veliko Rujno section of Bojin Kuk from Veliko Rujno route. Further descent to trailhead via Veliko Rujno from Milovac route . Whole circle lasts between 7-8hours.

2) if you are stationed in Paklenica hut in Velika Paklenica valley Bojin Kuk and Bojinac is beautiful daily trip which lasts 5h in one direction. From Paklenica hut head towards Strazbenica pass which divides Paklenica from Rujno area. You can access it via Paklenica hut – Struge – Vaganski Vrh that ascends towards Buljma pass. Around 1.45h from Paklenica hut is junction where is left towards Strazbenica and Rujno (last section of Viserujna Circle). Or you can take direct route from the hut via Mozak ridge. At Strazbenica you join Viserujna circle route till the church on Veliko Rujno plateau where is left to Bojinac and Bojin Kuk. Return till Strazbenica pass is the same while you can combine two access routes between pass and Paklenica hut.

You can add Bojinac to any of extended routes of Stap and Viserujna (1632m) & Rujno areas which are crossing Veliko Rujno as it is 3h detour from it. Also if you are visiting highest peaks of Velebit above Paklenica area like Vaganski Vrh (1757m), Liburnija (1710m) or Sveto Brdo (1751m) you can add Bojinac as one day trip from Paklenica hut like it is described under 2).

Getting There

Trailhead to climb Bojinac and Bojin Kuk is Milovac village. It is placed by the Adriatic Road, few kilometers in Rijeka direction from the center of this part of Velebit coast, Starigrad Paklenica.

By Plane
Closest airport is in Zadar, 45 km away. There are no international flights to Zadar (except charter flights during summer season) so you have to go over Zagreb international airport. There are everyday flights from Zagreb to Zadar. Find more info about flights on official site of Croatia Airlines

By Bus
There are numerous bus lines from Zagreb to Zadar each day, almost every half hour. The only problem is in the fact that there is no direct bus to Starigrad Paklenica from Zagreb. Some lines go via highway some use road via Gracac. Those that go via highway don’t stop on Maslenicki Most bridge location so from Zadar you have to take bus back towards Rijeka. Those that go via Gracac stop on Maslenicki Most bridge. Wait there for the bus towards Rijeka or you can hitch-hike to Starigrad Paklenica, which is 15 km from here. Of course, if you are going on Velebit immediately you’ll ask bus driver to stop at Milovac where your trailhead is.

Detailed bus timetables from Zagreb to Zadar you can find at Zagreb bus station site.

By Train
Train is not a good option if you are coming from Zagreb. It travels longer than bus and you have to change the train in Knin towards Zadar and then take a bus to Starigrad Paklenica. Train timetables can be found on Croatian railways site.

By Car
The best way is to come by car. There are two main directions to come to this area, from Rijeka or Zagreb.

From Rijeka, along the coast
This route is suitable if you are coming from western Europe, via Trieste (Italy).
Trieste - Rijeka 70 km
Rijeka - Starigrad Paklenica 180 km (Milovac 177km)

From Zagreb
This road is suitable if you are coming from eastern or central Europe via Ljubljana (Slovenia), Maribor (Slovenia) or Budapest (Hungary).
Ljubljana - Zagreb 138 km, Maribor - Zagreb 113 km, Budapest - Zagreb 347 km
Zagreb - Starigrad Paklenica (via Plitvice and highway) 250 km

From Zadar
Zadar – Starigrad Paklenica 45km

Look for current road conditions in Croatia on the page of Croatian Automobile Club (HAK)

Maps

These two maps show only Bojinac group. For wider area view see this map submitted to Sveto Brdo page. For even wider area with approaching roads see this map which is also posted on Sveto brdo page.

When To Climb

Find out more about Velebit climate on Velebit main page.

Winter: Bojinac climate is milder when compared with harsh climate of higher parts of Velebit. Snow frequently falls in winter months but also quickly melts when Bura wind ceases to blow. On shaded places, especially in the groves or on meadows which are at bottoms of basins, it will remain much longer. If you are climbing only Bojin Kuk and not doing it in extreme weather moment no additional equipment is needed like crampons or ice axe. Most dangerous factor is of course Bura wind. When it is at least strong below mountain it is already impossible to stand on the summit of Bojin Kuk.

Spring: since Bojin Kuk doesn’t have much of the winter most beautiful month to visit is May when everything is fresh green. Contrast of green meadows and forests with white limestone cliffs and blue sky is amazing. In the second half of June it is already quite hot.

Summer: if one wants to know how it is in hell Milovac route is great to find out. It is advisable to start from the coast at dawn because at this time of year Sun is rising on NE which is behind Velebit so Milovac ascent is in shade over an hour after sunrise.

Autumn: in this period most beautiful is October when colors are beautiful especially in higher parts where beech is predominant tree.

Mountain Conditions

Conditions on Velebit are very well known thanks to Zavizan meteo station, which is observing weather since 1953. On WeatherOnline & DHMZ (Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Association) sites you can find current data for Zavizan and on WeatherOnline even forecast. Also you can check forecasts for Zadar city on both sites because it is close to Velebit. Since Zavizan is higher and deeper in the mountain it has harsher climate than Bojinac so temperature will be at least 4-5°C warmer.

Here are the links where you can find out about the current weather on Velebit (Zavizan) and forecast for Croatia:

WeatherOnline:
WeatherOnline home page
Croatia at WeatherOnline,
Zavizan at WeatherOnline

Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Association (DHMZ):
DHMZ home page
DHMZ Forecast page
DHMZ 7 Day Forecast for Croatian cities and places World wide, including Zadar
Current Weather Conditions in Croatia including Zavizan and Zadar. Zavizan reports weather between 04-14h & 19-21h. In summer it is 1h+.
Snow Depth's in Croatia

Objects

There is no object in Bojinac group accept a small cave refuge at the foot of north face of Bojin Kuk. If you have some adventure spirit this quite entertaining place to stay. Closes normal refuge is on Zavrata, 2.45h from Bojinac group.

Zavrata (720m) refuge is placed in a small rocky house that was given by owner to Paklenica club from Zadar on considerable period of 25 years to be used as refuge with extension possibility. House has two rooms, kitchen & sleeping room, and is placed in what used to be Pregrada hamlet. Now around are just rocky ruins that remind of former life on Velebit. Around the house are beautiful meadows and small groves of oak and hornbeam. Just by the refuge are two wells with good water that doesn’t have to be cooked or disinfected by chlorine tablets. Refuge can accommodate 10 people comfortably but in need even more. More info about this area find on Viserujna (1632m) & Rujno page.

Other closer refuges are Struge refuge (1400m) on Struge plateau (3.30h from Bojinac) & Paklenica hut in Velika Paklenica valley (4h from Bojinac). Info about both objects is on Vaganski Vrh or Liburnija pages.

Camping & Accommodation

Bojinac is in Paklenica NP so camping is forbidden. Veliko Rujno plateau, 1h from Bojinac is not inside the NP so you can camp there. Best spot to erect a tent is close to church where is a water cistern.

If you want to camp on the coast before or after visiting Bojinac or other closer parts of Velebit there are dozens of camps on the coast in the Starigrad Paklenica and Seline. Many are concentrated around the entrance in the Velika Paklenica. Also there are many hotels and apartments in both places. More info on accommodations & camping you can find on Starigrad Paklenica Riviera site.

Red Tape

Bojinac group is inside the Paklenica National Park but only spot where entrance fee is charged is at the entrance to Velika Paklenica canyon, which is 30 Kuna (4 Euro or 5 Dollars). One ticket is worth for two entrances or one entrance with visit to labyrinth bunker in cliffs of Velika Paklenica or Manita Pecina cave. In Velika Paklenica there is no extra fee on parking. If parking inside the canyon is full they will tell you on the entrance to leave the car there. In that case minibus will take you there without extra fee. You don’t have to pay if you are accessing.

More information about prices and various packages can be found on Paklenica National Park site.

Other Velebit pages on SummitPost

~ Velebit massif, main page
~ Zavizan area, North Velebit (Mali Rajinac (1699m) highest peak on the page)
~ Rozanski Kukovi group, North Velebit (Gromovaca (1676m) & Vratarski Kuk (1676m) highest peaks on the page)
~ Alancic / Rozanski Vrh / Seravski Vrh, North Velebit (Goli Vrh (1670m) highest peak on the page)
~ Veliki Kozjak (1629m), North Velebit
~ Satorina (1624m), Mid Velebit (including whole area between it and Alan pass)
~ Stap area, South Velebit, (Debeli Kuk (1269m) highest peak on the page)
~ Visocica (1619m), South Velebit
~ Viserujna (1632m) & Rujno, South Velebit
~ Paklenica area, South Velebit
~ Vaganski vrh (1757m), South Velebit (highest peak of Velebit)
~ Liburnija (1710m), South Velebit
~ Sveto Brdo (1751m), South Velebit
~ Tulove Grede (1120m), SE Velebit
~ Crnopac (1404m), SE Velebit

Note: Text on this and pages above is copyrighted and cannot be used in any kind of publications.

External Links

• Harney Peak and the Needles
  The needles abound in the Black Hills
  

Images

View Bojin Kuk Image Gallery - 48 Images