SECRET PATH OF CROATIA – Magical journey through secret paths-7 DAYS
Offer: 7-day trip through the secret paths of Croatian forests and mountains for owners of 4×4 SUVs. Mud and challenging terrains are guaranteed!
Description:
Our SUV journey starts along the Kupa along the Slovenian border all the way to the Glina River, the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After that we reach the medieval town of Ribnik, and crossing the river Dobra we reach Novigrad and Dubovac.
We will also visit the rivers of Korana and Mrežnica, from where the path leads to the Museum of the Homeland War. We also visit sparsely populated areas and the ruins of the old towns of Sjeničak, Klokoč, Krstinje and Perna.
We’ll visit the ruins of the Pauline monastery on Petrovac – the top of Petrova Gora, near which is the “King’s Tomb”. But that’s not the end of the adventure.
After the green sea of Petrova Gora, the view leads us to the sparkling waterfalls of the village of Rastoke. A unique village known for its mills at the confluence of Korana and Slunjčica.
In addition to their daily activities, the locals are also engaged in the production of a strong alcoholic drink known as rakija.
This tradition is passed down from generation to generation and in this way it gets better every year.
As we continue our journey, the Plitvice Lakes, the most famous Croatian national park, a feast for the eyes and the soul. Home-made smoked cow’s or sheep’s cheese can only be experienced at the top of Plješevica.
There are many legends about the battle on Krbavsko polje. We can almost visualize all the force of weapons and armor in a huge field, which is also the answer to the question of the power of the Croatian warriors.
They defeated 10,000 Turkish horsemen led by the Bosnian Sandžak Had Jakub Paš. This led to the release of all prisoners after the Ottoman occupation of Carinthia and Styria.
In Lovinac, near the first slopes of Velebit. After stopping in an abandoned village of stone houses whose appearance resembles huge amphitheatres, climbing the mountain’s uneven dirt road.
We are not even aware that we can see the beautiful Adriatic Sea.
If the weather is good and there are no gloomy clouds, the view from that height offers an unforgettable view of the Adriatic Sea.
Over the centuries, conquerors wanted that view and that’s why they built the road. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it became one of the first connections between that part of Lika and Dalmatia.
Bunkers still stand along the road on the surrounding peaks as evidence that there were guards defending the recent conquests of the enemy.
They stand as silent witnesses of the newest generation of Croatian warriors, winners in defending the dream of freedom.
Along Tulov Grede, through Libinje, we can come across a herd of wild horses, whose ancestors were the only means of transportation across this difficult terrain during the Homeland War.
Wild horses still roam freely and unhindered. Going down to the Jadranska magistrala, we find the Mala and Velika Paklenica canyon, a destination for mountaineers from all over the world.
Here we can stock up on local products such as fruit, cheese, prosciutto, local wine, brandy or on Croatian „rakija“ and the inevitable „loza“. That is the product of the remains of ripe grapes after the harvest, which have been distilled and turned into „rakija.“
The road near to the coastal town of Karlobag leads us to the old Karolinska road built during the reign of Charles III in the first half of the 18th century. That road leads to the wasteland of the middle Velebit.
Nearby are Baška Oštarija, an old Austro-Hungarian road that enchants with its stone walls that border it.
Kuga’s house offers us refuge on the way to Klepa Duliba, the Croatian rainforest where trees stay where they fall.
Only the song of the birds disturbs the silence of the forest, and the sound of breaking branches can also be heard due to bears or wild boars.
Passing under Kozjak via Begovača, the Mali Lom valley is revealed as an observer of an even bigger valley – Veliki Lom. The valley is trapped between the peaks of Rajinac and Hajdučki Kukovi.
There is no cell phone signal in this area, so nothing will distract you from looking at the rich history of this area.
The winding forest road just before the transition to Premužić’s trail to Vukušić Snježnica takes us to a place of eternal ice and snow. That gives us an excuse to stop and cool off with a cold beer.
Engineer Ante Premužić, an enthusiast and visionary, built the trail in just four years, starting in 1930.
With more than 300 protected plant species, the botanical garden of Velebit is a jewel at the foot of Zavižan.
As a reward just before the end of the adventure, we visit a mountain resort at the foot of Vučjak’s meteorological station. Until recently that was the modest home of the quiet and self-effacing barbe Ante Vukušić.
With the hardworking hands of her wife and more than 40 years of working and living on Velebit, Marija was happy to greet mountaineers, adventurers, travelers and all people of good will.
In winter times you will have to knock on their window on the second floor because the snow is so high.
Our journey does not end with the famous Zavižanka brandy or „rakija“ by Barba Ante enriched with medicinal herbs. The road continues towards Gorski kotar and back to Karlovac, the crossroads of historical military roads.
The offer includes: organization and management of a seven-day tour, a guide, taking pictures/filming with go-pro cameras, familiarization with local stories and legends of each area we visit on the way, organization costs
Important note: Adventure is intended for owners of 4×4 off-road vehicles and requires full equipment for staying and sleeping in nature.
Number of persons: 4-14
Price of the arrangement: €2,501 per person
Excursion date: we will coordinate the travel date depending on your wishes and our available times. It is necessary to reserve an appointment at least 14 days in advance.
If you decide on this arrangement, you need to pay 50% in advance, at least 7 days before the start, in order to reserve and confirm the appointment.
After the confirmation email, we send you a proforma invoice for the payment and the excursion contract.
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
Your Croatia Open Land team.
