Štirovača

In its southern reaches, the Northern Velebit National Park includes a section of Štirovača – a vast valley lying at around 1100 m above sea level, known for its far-stretching pristine coniferous forests. Štirovača is one of the few localities in the Park that has a water spring and several creeks that feed the surrounding wet grasslands.

In the past, Štirovača was a place bustling with activity, especially during the warm summer months. It had a sawmill, a restaurant and houses where shepherds and their families, woodworkers and sawmill workers lived. Štirovača is today a popular excursion spot for the local population and a pleasant leisure area for visitors. To make the unique atmosphere of Štirovača valley even more enjoyable, we have made some improvements; the well has been rebuilt, benches and fireplaces installed so you can prepare a delicious meal after a day’s hiking and outdoor activities.

In the Velebit Nature Park, in the immediate vicinity of Štirovača, a special forest vegetation reserve, Klepina Duliba, can be seen. The Reserve is actually a secondary old-growth forest where human influence had been present at times, but not strong enough to make the old-growth lose its significance.

The easiest way to reach Štirovača is by paved road from Krasno or Pazarište. An alternative route is from the Adriatiac Highway by paved road to Alan, and further on to Mrkvište on a 9-km dirt (macadam) road. From here, Štirovača is a 3.5 km descent on a paved road.

Interesting Facts

Together with Plitvice Lakes and Bijele Stijene, Štirovača was among the first areas in Croatia to be proclaimed a national park by the Financial Law 1928 – 1929 thanks to the efforts of dr. Ivan Krajač, the trade and industry minister in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, the proclamation remained in force only for one year causing these areas to lose their protected status.