Hiking the Mountains of Croatia Slide Show

In the Gorski kotar region of Croatia. The standing stones commemorate a group of Yugoslav partisans who perished here during World War II.
The limestone spectacle of the Biele Stijene ("White Rocks"), Gorski Kotar region, Croatia. Seen from the area known as Ljuska.
A splash of color amidst the white limestone pinnacles of the Bijele Stijene.
Dramatic rock formation called Prsti ("fingers") in the Bijele stijene.
One of the joys of mountain hiking in Croatia is that you can hike the uncrowded wilderness environment of places like the North Velebit National Park during the day and return to the wonderful towns along the Adriatic Coast for the evening!
Sunshine on the pier at Senj with Krk Island across the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Final push to the summit of Šatorina, central Velebit mountains.
The grassy, rounded summit of Šatorina (right) in the central Velebit mountains. The view from the summit of Šatorina ranges as far as Croatia's islands, afloat in the Adriatic Sea. You can see them at the upper right of the photo.
Narcissus blooming on the grassy summit of Šatorina
A view of Pag Island (left) and Rab Island (right) as seen from the Premužićeva staza (Premužić Trail) in the Velebit Mountains of Croatia.
A tranquil mountain meadow in the Velebit Mountains along the Premužić Trail.
Ferry crossing between the Croatian mainland (bottom) and Pag Island (top). As seen from the Premužić Trail, Velebit Mountains.
A view toward Pag Island from the Premužić Trail, Velebit Mountains.
Velebit Mountains high-country along the Premužić Trail.
Sunset glow over and on the Adriatic Sea. As seen from the Jadranska magistrala (Adriatic Highway) near Senj, Croatia.
The garden is situated in a limestone sinkhole; a circular path makes its way around the sinkhole and through the garden.
Two Flower Violet in English. In Latin, Viola biflora.
The Croatian name for this flower is Kitajbelov pakujac which translates to Kitaibel's Feather. In Latin, Aquilegia kitaibelii.
The splendid engineering marvel that is the Premužić Trail provides a way for hikers to experience the tortured yet magnificently beautiful karstic mountain landscapes of the Northern Velebit Mountains, Croatia.
The well-graded Premužić Trail near the peak of Gromovača.
The Premužićeva staza (Premužić Trail) was a Depression era project. It provides access into the heart of the contorted limestone landscapes of the Northern Velebit mountains.
Kranjski ljiljan (Lilium carniolicum) blooming alongside the Premužić Trail near the shelter of Rossijevo sklonište.
The Premužić Trail threads its way through the jumbled terrain of the Hajdučki kukovi on its way to the Alan mountain pass.
The white dome of Crikvena as seen from the Premužić Trail south of Hajdučki kukovi.
The Premužić Trail sweeping through expansive alpine meadows on the way to mountain refuge of Kuća Alan. This view is looking north toward the Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi.
Another face of the Premužić Trail as it coasts through beech woods near the Alan pass.
Orchid blooming alongside the Premužić Trail near the Alan pass.
Breakfast treat in the old town of Senj.
A typical dinner on the Adriatic coast!
View toward Senj from the Martina Restaurant north of town.
A view of the Stap mountain meadow completely surrounded by limestone buttresses. Flat, grassy areas such as this are quite unusual in the rugged, rocky terrain of the southern Velebit Mountains.
The glistening white monolith of Kuk Stapina as seen from the Stap meadow. This place is like a mini-Yosemite made out of limestone.
Entrance sign, Paklenica National Park, one of eight national parks in Croatia.
An inviting pool in the Velika Paklenica gorge. There is not a lot of open surface water in the limestone Velebit Mountains, so the hike up the Paklenica gorge accompanied by the sound of running water is always a treat!
Waldstein’s Bellflower (Campanula waldsteiniana, Valdštajnova zvončika in Croatian)—or a similar species—growing from a rock face in the Velika Paklenica gorge.
Old stone dwellings at Sklopina huddle beneath overhanging limestone cliffs between the now mostly abandoned hamlets of Ramići and Parići at the upper end of the Velika Paklenica gorge.
Hiking in the Velika Paklenica gorge near the Paklenica mountain hut.
A view of the limestone dome of Kuk Anića from the trail ascending to the Manita Cave high on the wall of the Velika Paklenica gorge. This trail provides great views over the gorge toward the high peaks of the Velebit Mountains.
Kuk Anića (left) and a limestone spire as seen from near the entrance to Manita peć.
Looking toward the peaks of the Velebit Mountains from near Manita Cave (Manita peć).
Impressive canyon walls at the entrance to the Velika Paklenica gorge.