The Vela draga educational trail passes along the edge of the canyon of the same name, located on the slopes of the western slopes of Učka. Interpretation boards are written in simple popular-scientific language in four language variants, which explain the geological phenomena of the origin of the Učka massif and the canyon itself, and are placed along the entire length of the trail.
The Vela Draga trail is divided into two stages, the lighter ones and a bit shorter to the lookout point, from where there is a magnificent view of the limestone towers and others, longer and harder. It starts from the lookout point through the canyon to the foot of the stone towers and the very bottom of Vela Draga, and the entire trail is just over two kilometers long.
Vela draga is a monument of exceptional geomorphological value, created by the action of water torrents that carved a 3,500-meter-long canyon into the limestone rocks. It begins at the Zrinščak tunnel and ends at the Boljunsko field, and its special feature is the pointed rocks, with towers between 50 and 90 meters high, several of which were destroyed during the construction of the Učka tunnel. The highest part of the canyon is located at 600 meters above sea level, while the lowest is the one near Boljunsko polje at an altitude of only 153 meters. The canyon is covered with lush willow and poplar vegetation of beech and yew, while some parts have a rainforest character.
Vela Draga has been protected as a nature reserve since 1963, and as a geomorphological natural monument since 1998. And in addition to geological phenomena, this trail teaches about mountaineering and free climbing, sports that have been present in Vela Draga since 1931, when alpinist Emilio Comici climbed the first mountaineering route. Over time, Vela draga became a famous climbing area where many Croatian and European alpinists and sport climbers gained valuable experience.
To learn more about National park Učka and its trail system feel free to contact them.
T: + 385 (0) 51 293 753
park.prirode.ucka@inet.hr
www.pp-ucka.hr
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Croatia