Paklenica National Park, covering an area of 102 square kilometres, is located in Starigrad, northern Dalmatia, in the southeastern mountain range of Velebit. It is of particular interest to hikers and rock-climbers, with its splendid rock formations and krast features, most notably in the Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica canyons, and is also home to the highest peak of Velebit – Vaganski Vrh, at 1757m above sea level. Paklenica is home to an astounding 1000 plant species, 79 of which are endemic to the area. There are altogether 76 caves and pits in the park, although only Manita Pec cave is open to the public. Visitors are free to partake in organized mountain excursions or follow the ready-made trails on site, and there is even the chance to pit oneself against others in the Big Wall Speed Climbing competition.
Caves:
Vodarica Pit (300 m)
Cave in Zub Buljme (250 m)
Medvida Spilja (215 m)
Manita pec (175 m)
Lucinka Cave (132 m)
Flora:
Alpine Daphne (Daphne alpina)
Alpine Toadflex (Linaria alpina)
Bell Flower (Campanula fenestrellata)
Buckler Mustard (Biscutella laevigata)
Carnations (Caryophyllaceae)
Carniolan Lillies (Lilium carniolicum)
Columbine (Aquilegia kitaibelii)
Croatian Bell Flower (Campanula cochleariifolia)
Daisies (Asteraceae) and (Cichoriaceae)
Globe Daisy (Globularia cordifolia)
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides)
Grasses (Poaceae)
Greater Masterwort (Astrantia major)
Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus)
Legumes (Fabaceae)
Mints (Lamiaceae)
Nailwort (Paronychia kapela)
Roses (Rosaceae)
Rose Daphne (Daphne cneorum)
Thyme (Thymus sp.)
Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris)
Waldstein Bell Flower (Campanula waldsteiniana)
Fauna:
Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius apol)
Gossamer Winged Butterfly (Lycaenidae)
Peacock Moth (Saturnia pyri)
Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
Aesculapian Snake (Elaphe longissima)
Balkan Whip Snake (Coluber gemonensis)
Fire Salamnder (Salamandra salamandra)
Leopard Snake (Elaphe situla)
Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes)
Orsini’s Viper (Vipera ursinii subsp. macrops)
Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)
Eurasian Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Picoides medius)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer)
Scops Owl (Otus scops)
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
White-backed Woodpecker (Picoides leucotos)
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)
Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Lynx (Lynx lynx)
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Wild Cat (Felis sylvestris)
Wolf (Canis lupus)