Have you ever felt that special silence of the mountains as the day slowly fades, or the scent of autumn while walking through the forest, with leaves crunching beneath your feet? Lika-Senj County is exactly such a place, an oasis of tranquility where nature tells its story, and you are invited to listen.

Late summer and early autumn here have a unique charm, with days still long, the sun pleasantly warm, and the summer crowds left far behind.

This region, where mountains, rivers, and the sea come together, offers everything that domestic travelers often seek: active holidays, peaceful retreats, and authentic experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Plitvice Lakes, the most famous destination in Lika-Senj County, slowly transforms into a cinematic backdrop in September – the waterfalls still roar, while the surrounding forests don their autumn attire. In Northern Velebit National Park, a calming silence reigns, inviting you to pause, sit on a rock, and simply gaze into the distance… When you arrive at Zavratnica, a fjord-like bay, you realize you’ve found a frame-perfect memory that will stay with you forever.

These are places recognized by most travelers and symbols of Lika-Senj County. Yet this region hides many gems that may still be unknown, as well as events that connect people with nature. This is exactly what makes late summer and early autumn the perfect time to discover them.

Active holidays in the heart of nature

If you love days that seem to stretch endlessly, filled with countless experiences, Lika is your playground in nature. Velebit has always attracted hiking enthusiasts, inviting them to explore trails that wind through the most beautiful parts of the mountain. Northern Velebit National Park and Velebit Nature Park offer opportunities to enjoy breathtaking views.

For example, as you hike the Premužić Trail – considered a true engineering masterpiece, built in stone and stretching over 46 kilometers – the horizon unfolds before you: the sea on one side, mountain ranges on the other, and atop these peaks, you inevitably experience an almost surreal sense of freedom.

However, if you’re the type who prefers to pedal and enjoy cycling, quiet asphalt roads and forest trails will take you across Velebit all the way to Podgorje, while lovers of coastal scenery can test their endurance on the trails of Pag Island. The variety of landscapes and terrains allows for exciting trips, whether on a mountain bike or a road bike.

Lika boasts crystal-clear rivers that are perfect for kayaking. So hop into a kayak, grab your paddle, and set off to explore the hidden currents of the Lika and Gacka rivers. Since Gacka is an exceptionally calm river, no prior experience or paddling skills are needed—just a bit of enthusiasm. For the more adventurous and physically fit, kayaking through the Lika River canyon is a true adventure, offering close encounters with otters, deer, does, and stags as you paddle along.

Another Lika destination perfect for an active holiday in nature is the Grabovača Cave Park. In addition to visiting the Samograd Cave, the park offers three educational trails of varying themes, lengths, and walking intensities, children’s playgrounds, a botanical garden with a hobbit house, a birdwatching tower with forest organ pipes, and many other attractions.

If you’re craving an experience that will make your heart race, your dream destination is the Zip Line in Vrhovine. Soaring above the forest, attached to a 150-meter cable, starting from a cliff and gliding through the treetops, you’ll feel a true adrenaline rush.

Autumn top destination

Gospić, a small town in the heart of Lika, has much to offer its visitors. In the nearby village of Smiljan, the great Nikola Tesla was born, a man who changed the world. In his honor, a new digital installation has been set up in Gospić at Stjepan Radić Square as part of the innovative project “Tesla – Genius of Humanity.” The installation gives you the opportunity to interact with a virtual Nikola Tesla, listening to his reflections on life, science, humanity, and nature—in more than ten languages.

When everything smells of tradition

An event that truly immerses you in the soul of Lika’s gastronomy is the “Autumn in Lika” festival, held in Gospić from October 3rd to 5th. And no, it’s not just a fair—it’s a celebration of all things authentic from Lika, from food and handicrafts to cultural heritage, including traditional dances and songs. At this festival, you’ll get to know Lika as it really is—open, hospitable, and sincere.

A trip to Lika and the Podvelebit coastal area is not just another excursion. When autumn sings through the forests, rivers, and seas of Lika-Senj County, all that remains for you to do is come and listen.

Content created in collaboration with the Lika-Senj County Tourist Board.

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