Učka Nature Park
Located in one of the northernmost spots of the Mediterranean area, Mount Učka visually dominates the Istrian peninsula and the Bay of Kvarner. The Nature Park covers an area of 160 km2.
To experience one of the most stunning panoramas in this part of Europe, climb the highest peak of Učka - Vojak (1401 m). Its stone tower offers a breathtaking 360-degree-panorama of the Istrian peninsula, northern Adriatic islands, mountains in the Gorski kotar region, and all the way to Venice and the Alps.
Učka is the only place in the world where you can take a photograph of the Učka (Tommasini) bellflower, and one of the last European sites where you can watch griffon vultures or golden eagles. Apart enjoying good vibrations, here you can also taste sweet local dishes made of chestnuts, asparagus and other specialities of the healthy traditional cuisine.
Učka Nature Park includes two educational trails (the Plas that passes over the top ridge of Mount Učka, and the 2-km-kong Vela draga) and the Slap hiking path.
Information:
Entrance tickets: free entrance
Opening Hours: non-stop
Contacts:
Učka Nature Park Public Institution
Address: Liganj 42
Postal Code: HR-51415 Lovran
Phone: + 385 (0)51 293753
Fax: + 385 (0)51 293751
E-mail: park.prirode.ucka@inet.hr
Website: www.pp-ucka.hr
Vela draga below Učka
Vela or Vranjska draga, the vast valley at the foot of Učka's north-western slopes is well known to mountaineers and nature lovers, although it still remains distant and unknown to many. Its eastern edges precipitate below the viaduct at the very entrance to Učka Tunnel, from where it meanders through Draga canyon down towards Boljun field. Draga is dominated by high and sheer rocks, where two towers šoplja and čoplja stand out, thus creating a unique and characteristic karst phenomenon in Istria.
