With its surface area of 96 km2, from the eastern coast of the Adriatic
Sea to the highest peaks of the Velebit Mountains, Vaganski Vrh (1757 m)
and Sveto Brdo (1753 m), Paklenica abounds with numerous natural wonders
and phenomena, which is why the entire area was proclaimed a national park
in 1949. And rightfully so, as this region is simple and unusual in its
connection between the sea and the mountains, rich in beech and black pine
forests, its deep canyons cut vertically into the Velebit ridge, its karst
formations and numerous caves and pits.
The entry to the canyons of Mala and Velika Paklenica (Small and Large Paklenica) are truly a phenomenon due to their geological and hydrological particularities, the abundant karst, and the wealth of flora and fauna.
The creeks Mala and Velika Paklenica give great value to the entire region, enriching it, and in the spring and autumn, the sheer power of the creeks erodes the limestone walls of the canyons, thus deepening them further every year. Both the Velika Paklenica Canyon, 14 km long, and Mala Paklenica Canyon, 12 km long, are deeply cut into the massive south face of the Velebit mountains.
The geological particularities of the National Park are seen in the sharp karst formations in the regions of Bojinac, Vidakov kuk and on the plateau between both canyons. Here, many varying karst formations are visible, from cracks in the limestone, channels, basins, fissures and caves, which arose from the intensive activity of flowing water and from the large temperature differences during individual seasons.
Basins with cracks and channels are particularly well developed in the Bojinac region, where the karst formations were created during glaciations, evident in the numerous moraine deposits.
The park boasts some 70 caves, among which the most spectacular are the Manita Peć cave and the Vodarica pit. Only the Manita Peć cave is open for viewing.
The entry to the canyons of Mala and Velika Paklenica (Small and Large Paklenica) are truly a phenomenon due to their geological and hydrological particularities, the abundant karst, and the wealth of flora and fauna.
The creeks Mala and Velika Paklenica give great value to the entire region, enriching it, and in the spring and autumn, the sheer power of the creeks erodes the limestone walls of the canyons, thus deepening them further every year. Both the Velika Paklenica Canyon, 14 km long, and Mala Paklenica Canyon, 12 km long, are deeply cut into the massive south face of the Velebit mountains.
The geological particularities of the National Park are seen in the sharp karst formations in the regions of Bojinac, Vidakov kuk and on the plateau between both canyons. Here, many varying karst formations are visible, from cracks in the limestone, channels, basins, fissures and caves, which arose from the intensive activity of flowing water and from the large temperature differences during individual seasons.
Basins with cracks and channels are particularly well developed in the Bojinac region, where the karst formations were created during glaciations, evident in the numerous moraine deposits.
The park boasts some 70 caves, among which the most spectacular are the Manita Peć cave and the Vodarica pit. Only the Manita Peć cave is open for viewing.