Croatia: Last Day at Velebit Nature Park (August 20, 2025)
What to do on your last day in Croatia? So many options. This day was special, however, as we got to explore a hidden part of the countryside that few know about or venture into (at least for the time being). It’s part of the expansion plan as the National (and Nature) Parks of Croatia work together to make it easier for tourists to uncover different parts they might not otherwise be exposed to.
Velebit Nature Park (Once You Hike Down The Mountain)
What you see above is the oasis of Velebit Nature Park that is hidden at the bottom of a bowl-shaped valley a mountain range. Of course, my idea to get down here is to build a giant set of ziplines from the top making your way down to the bottom — the easy way. After all, the parking is already exactly where you’d want to be to “drop in” to this gorgeous park. Or you could build a gondola for the less adventurous who simply want a scenic and easy ride down and up.
One day that may be the way you get here. For now, it’s a hike. On the way down, you don’t really notice how steep it is or challenging the terrain might be on the way back up. When we visited, it was a hot day so what was on our minds was getting into the water calling our names.
View from the top before descending down to the bottom where that river is …
Halfway point selfie with Dino, Ivana, Nika and Maro Maras
What’s unique about this experience is that it feels in reverse. You have your sweeping views from the top BEFORE you do your hike down the mountain. It’s like eating desert first. Just know that those vegetables are going to be served last as you climb back up this same trail to get back to your car. Ah, but that’s hours from now. This fits my desire for instant gratification. Amazing views. Easy decent. Beautiful swim. Relax. Okay, let’s go for the reverse and do that big hike back to the car.
Yep, totally worth it. The water was cool and refreshing. The small waterfall near the base of the river was actually warm water as it was “heated” coming down to get to the base of the river. I’ll take it.
On the way back, we encountered some local animal traffic crossing the road. All part of the full experience and wonderful to witness.
The drive itself is part of taking in all the surrounding beauty of Croatia. On the way home, I was given the opportunity to hear some famous Croatian musician and enjoyed being exposed to entirely new music from the Maras family — especially Dino and Nika who took turns being DJ in the car ride home.
My time in Croatia has been extraordinary. I am grateful to Nikola Maras and his family for taking me in as an extended member of their own family and then going out of their way to show me so many incredible gems of this country.
Whole Maras family: Dino, Maro, Nika, (me), Ivana and Nikola.
With one final selfie outside their home, I took my leave. Nikola drove me back to the airport and I flew to my next stop: Vienna, Austria. To be sure, a piece of me will forever remain in Croatia and the extraordinary time I had here with this incredible family. Deep love and gratitude.
