VELEBIT, the longest mountain range in Croatia; stretching in form of a gentle arch from the cove of Senjska Draga and Vratnik to the upper course of the Zrmanja river, in the total length of about 145 km.

According to its size, natural features and role in the Croatian history and culture, Velebit is the most famous Croatian mountain range. The Velebit ridge has a large number of relief, botanical and landscape values; scenic rocky landscapes are interwoven with woods (dulibe) and high-rising peaks, from which unique views are offered.

The most beautiful hiking trail on Velebit is Premuzic's Trail (50 km long), with wonderful vista points. At 1,600 m, without much ascending, this trail leads hikers to the magnificent karst formations known as Rozanski Kukovi, which have been, due to their specific natural features, designated as a nature reserve, together with Hajducki Kukovi.

There are several levels of nature conservation on Velebit: Velika and Mala Paklenica have been set aside as a national park; Rozanski and Hajducki Kukovi have the status of a strict nature reserve, while the entire mountain massif of Velebit, as a forest vegetation reserve, has been proclaimed a nature park. There are several other protected areas, among which the most important are the forest vegetation reserve Stirovaca and the geomorphological natural monument Cerovacke Spilje (Cerovac Caves). In 1978 Velebit was included in the international network of biosphere reserves by the UNESCO.

Hajudicki Kukovi, Rozanski Kokovi, a part of northern Velebit; comprising an area of 1,175 hectares, since 1960 protected as a strict nature reserve. The area is covered with thick sub-alpine forests of spruce, beech, juniper and pine, with limestone masses, separated from each other by sinkholes. Major natural features include wild, sharp, horizontal cliffs of massive limestone, cavities, abysses, large torn sinkholes, stone colossi in the shape of peaks, towers, cracked toothed heads, natural gates and passes.