Hiking trails
Maybe you simply enjoy walking in nature, or maybe you're drawn to more demanding climbs. Whether you want to explore the scents of the forest, listen to the rustle of leaves and breeze, or simply breathe deeply — whatever you choose, it will be an experience to remember.
The area around the town of Otočac and the Gacka River offers several hiking and mountain trails. One of the most popular is the Gromko Trail, which has grown in popularity thanks to the annual Statehood Day hike and a nighttime Advent ascent. It is a circular hiking route that passes through wooded terrain, follows parts of the Gacka’s former riverbed, and even loops through Otočac itself. Most of the trail lies in forested areas, offering pleasant shade in summer. Its characteristics make it suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. Two registered hiking routes run along the Gromko Trail: 1601 and 1602.
GROMKO’S HIKING ROUTE NO. 1601 (GROMKOVA STAZA BR. 1601)
Otočac – Zagrebačka Street near the bridge over the northern branch of the Gacka River (Bridge at 455 m a.s.l.) – along the river to the second bridge – left onto the Otočac–Staro Selo road – follow the signpost and continue southeast toward Inin Vrh (Checkpoint 1 – 632 m). The trail then descends to Zelenika (490 m) and continues through gently undulating forest terrain (490–520 m) to Previja 1. It then climbs gradually (520–600 m, and then 600–730 m) toward the plateau just below the summit of Međeđak (730 m – Checkpoint 2). The final ascent to the top (739 m) is over rocky boulders. The summit offers beautiful views of Mala Kapela, the northern Gacka Valley, Godača, and Velebit. The descent passes the Livadice glade to a forest road, then continues left to a junction with the Metla–Ostrovica trail (620 m). The climb to Ostrovica (749 m – Checkpoint 3) is not particularly demanding and again offers magnificent views of the entire Gacka Valley, Velebit, Senjsko bilo, Godača, and part of Mala Kapela.
GROMKO’S HIKING TRAIL, NO. 1602
Otočac – Zagrebačka Street near the bridge over the northern branch of the Gacka River (455 m a.s.l.). The trail gradually ascends to Fortica (485 m), where the foundations of a historical fortress remain. Built by locals and the people of Senj in 1619, it served to defend Otočac — which at the time lay on an island in the Gacka — and as a forward defense for Senj itself during Ottoman incursions.
The trail descends via Knez Branimir Street, then ascends again via Forcuranje Street to Bajer, a former shooting range. From there, a gradual climb leads to the Forcuranje hill (516 m), known by locals since ancient times, though many are unfamiliar with the official map name "Fortica." The hill offers panoramic views of Otočac and its surroundings.
The route continues across a plateau to the base of Rastik (traditionally called Poljički Vrh), followed by a short, easy ascent to the Poljički Kamen plateau (643 m – Checkpoint 5), where a stamp is located on the rock. The rocky path then follows the southeastern slope to the Rastik–Poljički Vrh pass (643–700–520 m), descends to Previja 2, and ascends again (520–719 m) past the Lopar glade beneath Vršič, ending at Metla (719 m – Checkpoint 4). From the summit — marked with a stamp on a boulder — you'll enjoy stunning views of the Gacka Valley, Godača, Velebit, and Senjsko bilo.
The trail continues through rocky terrain and forest, joins a forest road, and climbs to Ostrovica (749 m – Checkpoint 3), where it merges with Route 1601. The summit stamp is located next to the geodetic marker. Once again, the summit offers spectacular panoramic views of the entire region.
MARKOVIĆ RUDINE TRAIL
Checkpoint 11 – Marković Rudine (1105 m)
Start 200 m from the Ličko Lešće railway station (approaching from Zagreb) via a forest road. The 8 km path passes under the highway to a rest area known as Šumske Bukvice. A well-marked trail leads to Mramor (760 m), with benches and a table for resting. From there, a steep 350 m climb leads to the summit. The hike from the rest area to the top takes about 90 minutes.
An alternative ascent starts in Čovići at Tončin Bridge, where you can park. Cross the bridge and turn right 50 m to a trail map, then follow the route past the "Glavičica" Veterans’ Recreation House. At 450 m elevation, the trail ascends to a pass at 700 m through beautiful pine and fir forest on the north slope of Plasina, passing scenic points like Veliki Gašparac (764 m) and Votićev Vršak (751 m). This route reconnects with the main rest stop at Guste Bukvice, and from there follows the same final path to the summit.
From Marković Rudine, the views are stunning — spanning the Gacka and Kosinj valleys, Velebit, the Lika Highlands, Lička Plješivica, and Velika and Mala Kapela. The full hike takes about 4.5 hours. The checkpoint stamp is located in a concrete block at the summit.
GODAČA HIKING TRAIL
Checkpoint 12 – Veljun (1013 m)
Near Majer Spring in Sinac, 1 km away, lies the Ravna Gora Hunting Lodge. The Godača Trail begins at the Savior’s Cross near the lodge. After 500 m on a well-maintained forest path, the trail begins at 460 m elevation, rising past Croatia’s longest railway tunnel on the Zagreb–Split line, all the way to Veljun peak (1013 m) and the area known as Veliki and Mali Kotal. The route is 8 km long, moderately difficult, and takes about 3 hours, with excellent viewpoints over the Gacka Valley and Northern Velebit. The summit stamp is embedded in rock.
HIKING TRAIL PANOS
Checkpoint 10 – Panos (828 m)
The trail to Panos Peak begins at the church in Kuterevo. A gentle 2 km ascent, mostly along a road and partly through forest, leads to the summit. From the top, enjoy spectacular views of Kečina Greda and the Velebit range toward Senjsko bilo. The hike takes about 1 hour. The checkpoint stamp is set in stone at the summit.
SINJAL AND PROZORINA TRAILS
These trails are popular among locals and marked by the Gromovača Mountaineering Club. Both are of low to moderate difficulty. Prozorina can be reached from two directions: Route 1: from Prozor, starting at the Mate Kostelac Maljutka Community Center — shorter (~30 min) but steeper. Route 2: from Orišković Bridge (Bridge No. 4) — longer (~45 min) but gentler. The trail to Sinjal is moderately demanding. It starts in Šumećica, just below the overpass marked with the first trail sign. The ascent can take over an hour, offering sweeping views of untouched nature and the town of Otočac — a perfect photo and memory moment.
KORENSKI VRH TRAIL
(Note: not a registered checkpoint on official routes)
Korenski Vrh is the highest point on the forested ridge above Kuterevo. It offers a unique impression of Velebit’s continental slopes that descend toward Lika. Scattered highland villages such as Krasno and Kuterevo are common stops for hikers heading toward Northern Velebit.
The highest point of the Kuterevo ridge, called Korenski Vrh, is in the forest and doesn’t have a developed trail. The official HPO checkpoint is a lower summit (1076 m) between Kalić and Korenski Vrh, offering a partial view of Lika.
The only hiking access to Korenski Vrh is from Kuterevo. From there, drive 4 km to the Šporčići hamlet (shortens the walk by 1 hour). From Šporčići, follow the steep trail markers through beech forest — reaching the summit in about 90 minutes. The final stretch crosses broken stone terrain.
For additional advice or hiking guides, contact the local Gromovača Mountaineering Society, where many mountaineers have been educated and have acquired mountaineering skills for more than fifty years.
• Planinarsko društvo Gromovača Otočac
https://www.facebook.com/gromovaca/
• Planinarska Udruga Panos Kuterevo
