Paklenica NP in Croatia - who has some information?

Ahoy all you mountain project people,

I am travelling to Paklenica NP in mid April and am looking to romp in the mountains for 4 days. Does anyone out there have experience camping in Paklenica, more specifically the backcountry? Is dispersed camping an option, are there basic campsites for tents, what about these mountain shelters I've been reading about?

What about transportation to Paklenica to and from Zadar?

Any more relevant beta?

I have given a look at their website, sent some emails to some 'official' people, and I figured that a forum post on MP might be my best option.

Ok, thanks a whole heap.

I visited Paklenica about 10 years ago, so some of this might be out of date. We didn't camp---stayed in a pleasant hotel in Starigrad. I recall that there was a campground along the coast at the point where the road into the park (the main--Velika--canyon)leaves the coast road. It is only a few kilometers--3-4 if I remember correctly, from there into the park. I very much doubt that camping of any sort is allowed in the Park other than at this campground (which technically isn't in the Park itself). First the Park administration is very conservation/preservation oriented so park usage is quite regulated (though not "offensively" enforced in my experience)and I don't remember any indications that camping in the back country was permitted. Secondly this area was contested during the Serbian/Croatian war in the '90s and much of the area was heavily mined and (at least when I was there)many of these minefields had not been cleared (not that they ever fully are)adding an unusual but very significant risk to off-trail hiking and camping. I know that there are a number of back country cabins in the park. The couple I visited were clearly for day use only though it is possible that some deeper into the interior may be equipped for overnight use. I would expect that the Park website would mention this, so if it doesn't I would expect that they are not open for that purpose.

I know that there is regular bus service along the coast road between Zadar and Starigrad (as well as elsewhere along the coast)that stops at the National Park campsite, but I don't think that the buses actually take one into the park. There is also local taxi service that will take you to the park entrance, though walking or hitching (it should be pretty easy to get a ride into the Park from the campground)are the more common methods of access for the carless. It is worth spending some time visiting the old town section of Zadar as it is very pleasant. During our visit signs of the fighting were still very apparant in the newer part of the city. It was very sobering when we got a bit lost leaving town and ended up driving through some totally abandoned and burnt out villages surrounded by "Danger Mines" signs--clear evidence of the ravages of ethnic cleansing.

Despite the above, the area was still very worth visiting, the people friendly, the scenery spectacular. You don't specifically say in your post that you will be climbing, but if you are be ready for very stiff grades!!! The climbing is limited to a very specific area in the main canyon. The shorter sport routes in the 'lower gorge'--close to the parking, are closely packed together and of mixed quality--some quite good, others, for me at least, less so. The best of the climbing there were the longer routes--particularly on the impressive Anika Kuc. Even though the guidebook describes some of these longer routes as "bolted", I'd recommend bringing along a bit of supplemental gear--unless you are comfortable with 'running it out' a fair bit.

Have a great trip.

Hi,
I've been several time in Paklenica, I could give you some advices.
Paklenica is canyon near Adriatic coast and is great place for climbing, specialy for multipitch sport routes (those routes used to be trad but are almost all bolted now). There are also single pitch sport routes. Best time is spring and fall.
Paklenica is also national park and wild camping is not allowed, rangers check situation often and you might have many troubles if you try.
There are many campsites near coast, also some apartments. In canyon and surrounding mountain are also some mountain huts, but i don't know if they are already open at this time.
Last week in April and first in May might be extremly crowded, since in Croatia and Slovenia are hollidays and many climbers come here.
You have direkt bus connections between Zadar and town Starigrad/Paklenica where campsites are. From there it's about 3 km to walk to the canyon or you may get some car transportation almost to the canyon.
I think it's not much betas on net, you could buy guide book (also you have to pay entrance to canyon).
I remember one lady from US asked for informations on Croatia climbing for this time, you should check MP.

I went to Paklenika last fall and I have a little beta for you. There is a campground not far from the park, but I understand a lot of people rent guesthouses as the cost is low (think 25-30 US a night), so if you are splitting that, it wont be much different than camping. We stayed in the campground since we had some light camping gear with us.
You have to pay to enter the park (I don't remember the fee, but it was comparable to, if not less than, a park pass here in the states and included your "climbing permit").
You can rent some gear from a shack in the park (harness, shoes, quickdraws, no trad gear). This is a pretty cool feature if you are traveling light and don't have a problem with rented gear from a shack.
If you like limestone, its quite fun and I found the grading, once adjusted to YDS, seemed pretty spot on to what I was used to in the American West.
There is a climbing shop in the town outside of the park. You can purchase the guidebook there. Its pretty cool and informative and is written in multiple languages (including English).
Its a stunning park and beautiful part of the continent. I second the earlier comment that you should spend some time in Zadar. Like all of the coastal towns in Croatia, its charming fun to walk around in the walled off old town.
The Croatians are great; you wont be disappointed in your trip there.
I rented a car from the Split airport and ended up returning it to Zadar before flying out. Renting cars there was much more reasonable than in the US and included the insurance for I want to say 20 euros a day.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Ok, thanks all for the replies. The park says the main campground, 'Nacionalni', is closed until the end of April for reconstruction. We will give the mountain shelters a go, apparently they are free. Perhaps when we return I will post any relevant info that I found.

How did your trip go? I'm going on my honeymoon to Croatia early august and we are looking to do some climbing/hiking in Paklenica.