The area of 109 square kilometers of the northern Velebit was declared a national park in 1999. It is characterized by rich flora and fauna, and karst phenomena. Although Velebit may not be a high mountain, in its highest parts we encounter the real mountain climate with plants such as edelweiss, creeping pine, and animals such as Alpine chough, white-backed woodpecker, boreal owl, and chamois. Research indicates that there are about 1,500 species of plants, fungi and animals in the Park. Thanks to the preservation of the ecosystem, vastness and abundance of prey, Nothern Velebit houses four predators: bear, wolf, lynx and golden eagle. It is also significant because of its strict reserves Hajducki and Rozanski kukovi, Lukina jama cave (one of the deepest in the world), Visibaba botanical reserve with the endemic Croatian sibiraea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica), Borov top forest reserve, Zavizan-Balinovac-Velika kosa botanical reserve, and the famous Velebit's botanical garden, and in the extreme south of the Park lies a special forest vegetation reserve called Stirovaca. Mountain lovers will surely enjoy discovering its many hiking trails, the most famous one being Premužićeva staza trail. Visiting season depends on the duration of snow retention on top of the mountain. In general, Northern Velebit National Park is open to visitors from May to mid-November. The main entrance to the Park is called Babic Sica, while its administration building and the information centre are located in the village of Krasno. As for the tickets, you can buy them at the entrance Babic Sica, the information centre Krasno, in the mountain hut Alan, or at the control posts of the Park. Opening hours of the entrance Babic Sica are from 8 to 16 h, Sunday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 8 to 17 h. Opening hours of the information centre Krasno are from 8 to 15 h, Monday to Friday. As for the price of entrance, the basic ticket costs about 6 euros, while discount ticket costs about 3.5 euros (hikers, retired people, Croatian veterans, persons older than 65, handicapped persons, 6-14 years old children, pedestrians, cyclists). Entrance is free for children younger than 6, legal residents of the town of Senj, members of the Army, Ministry of Interior and Croatian Mountain Rescue. In this park you can participate in a variety of educational workshops in the information centre Krasno, and for more information you can visit the Park's website.

photo: NP Sjeverni Velebit, HTZ, TZ grada Zadra; video: NP Sjeverni Velebit