Paklenica Hut from Starigrad Paklenica

About Route

This is easy but very beautiful path that will first take you through wild and impressive canyon and later through gentle forested valley of Velika Paklenica to Paklenica hut. Marks begin at Starigrad Paklenica but most people begin from parking in the canyon.

Starigrad Paklenica - Paklenica hut: 2.30h, 1.30h from parking in the canyon

In the Starigrad Paklenica town turn towards Velika Paklenica some 200m from or before gas station. Road goes 1 km between several camps till the entrance gate at the beginning of the canyon.

From here it is 2 km more to the parking place in the heart of the canyon. If this parking if full rangers will tell you to leave car at the entrance gate. In such situation National park minibus will take you to the parking inside the canyon for free. If you go on foot from Starigrad Paklenica you'll need almost 1h to get there. This is also very nice section where sides of the canyon constantly rise.

From parking everyone continues on foot. Wide path leads through the most beautiful part of canyon. Wild cliffs are rising hundreds of meters above the bottom, some are overhanging and make you dizzy when you look up. After 10mins path reaches the foot of main ascent in the canyon which is surmounted in many bends by wide build path, crossing the creek 2 times with bridges. Ascent lasts 15-20mins, and ends at the foot of mighty, 400m high, NW face of Anica Kuk (712m). If you have a good eye you might notice climbers in the face. From here they are only tiny colorful dots. Here you can refresh yourself with water that is running out of pipe.

Canyon here suddenly turns into calm and quite wide valley at whose bottom are meadows of Anica Luka (250m). Path continues through green tunnels of hornbeams, by the gurgling creek. After 10mins you’ll reach junction towards Mala Paklenica. Few minutes behind is another junction where signs point left towards Manita Pecina cave, 40mins from parking.

Behind path very gradually ascends that it seams almost flat. On this part of the route there are few beautiful pools in the Paklenica creek, which is just by the path, where you can refresh yourself in crystal clear water. Later you pass another drinking point. 30mins behind Manita Pec junction you reach another junction where signs point left towards Veliko Rujno via Njivarska Strana. Soon behind path crosses on the right side of the creek and reaches bridge where on the left shore stands forester’s house (5mins from last junction). Next 10mins before reaching last ascent are flat with beautiful views towards high part of Velebit in front. Ascent lasts 5mins and takes you on top of gorge from where is beautiful view towards Rapavac (1617m) and Crljeni Kuk (1661m) while below creek murmurs nicely. Last 10mins till the hut are flat and lead through beautiful beech forest. Before the hut you cross to the left shore over double bridge.