National Park Sjeverni Velebit, (Northern Velebit), is the youngest national park in Croatia. It was founded in 1999 and started work in September the same year.
It covers 109 km² of the northern part of the Velebit Mountain, the largest mountain in Croatia, the whole of which is a nature park, a lesser category of nature conservation. Another national park on Velebit is the Paklenica on its southern side.
The most unique landscapes and the greatest wealth of flora and fauna are to be found in the area of the Sjeverni Velebit National Park. There are a number of exceptional features: the conle-like karstic formations know as "Hajducki kukovi" and "Rozanski kukovi", the botanical garden set in a natural environment, and the deep Lukina jama, Luka's hole. That is why Croatian mountaineers regard this area as the most precious jewel among all Croatia's mountains.
Hajducki kukovi and Rozanski kukovi, an endless range of rocky peaks with diverse and bizarre forms up to 200 meters in height, are situated in the very centre of the national park. This amazing rocky landscape is protected as a strict regime reserve. And located amid Hajducki kukovi, at an altitude of 1,475 meters, is Lukina jama. With its bottom being a mere 83 meters above sea level, its overall depth of 1,392 meters makes it the eight deepest hole in the world.
In addition to Hajducki and Rozanski kukovi there are numerous other interesting karstic features, in particular sinkholes and abysses. Northern Velebit also harbors many endemic plant species, the best known Degenia Velebitica, the symbol of the mountain. Also to be found are rare animal species, such us the eagle owl.
The main gathering place for excursionist hikers and mountaineers visiting national park is located beneath Zavizan peak, in the mountain lodge of the same name. It can be reached by a forest road from both the littoral and continental sides. Located in the immediate vicinity of Zavizan is Velebit Botanical Garden, its location on the edge of a deep karstic sinkhole making it unique in the world. At the bottom of that hole, where sunlight cannot reach, ice sometimes remains even in the middle of summer.
Right next to the botanical garden is the start of the main trail partially constructed and parapet with stone which in parts cuts through karstic rocks. The only representatives of civilization along this remarkable trail are tiny churches and refuges for mountaineers, skillfully blended into the mountainous landscape. The inimitable views from the trail of the wooded interior, but even more of the sea and the islands, are particularly memorable as the sun begins to set.