Alan: Hiking between mountain pastures and Velebit peaks

The landscape of Alan and its immediate surroundings is characterized by extensive mountain grasslands, dulibens and padeži beneath scenic peaks. Veliki Alan is an important pass on Velebit at 1,414 metres. The cross-mountain road through Veliki Alan connects Lika with the sea; from Alan, you can also see the sea and the islands. You can reach Alan via a paved road from Jablanac or a gravel road from Begovača.

Hiking between the pass and the peaks

Since 2009, the Premužićeva staza has been officially protected as a cultural asset of national importance. Alan is a starting point for hikes in Velebit. The trails lead to peaks and viewpoints at different elevations, with varying estimated times, so you can compare the described routes by duration.

From Planinarska kuća Alan, follow the Premužićeva staza north to Alančić, whose summit is at 1,612 metres. The walk takes about one hour. Alančić is a grassy peak with views across large parts of northern and central Velebit, as well as out to sea. Another destination is Buljma: a ridge trail from Planinarska kuća Alan leads to the 1,451-metre summit. The hike takes about 1.5 hours on foot and has no significant climbs; along the way, there are views of the sea and the Mirovo Valley.

The times for Alančić and Buljma offer two different points of reference: about one hour for the walk to Alančić and around an hour and a half for the Buljma hike. Zečjak is the second-highest peak in central Velebit. The ascent from Alan first follows the road towards Štirovača, then the Premužićeva staza, and finally the trail up to the summit. To reach Veliki Lubenovac, follow the Premužićeva staza north from Alan; at the junction near Krajačev kuk, continue along a mountain trail.

The Veliki Golić–Goljak loop route runs mostly across grassland and has no difficult climbs. Its difficulty may vary depending on conditions. Trail conditions on the routes to Buljma and Veliki Lubenovac can also vary seasonally; check them before setting out.

Cultural landscape and visitor information

Nearby Mirovo was once a summer mountain settlement and is now a Velebit grassland. Visible traces include the remains of stone houses, barns, dry-stone walls and cisterns, as well as old summer houses. Mirovo thus offers a historical point of interest in its own right, alongside the peak trails around Alan.

At the “Planinska igraonica” education and interpretation centre, you can learn about the species and habitats of Northern Velebit National Park, as well as traditional herding life. Check whether the visitor programme is available before your trip.

Getting there and cycling routes

The road to Štirovača runs from Alan for nine kilometres on gravel to Mrkvište, followed by another 3.5 kilometres on a paved road into the valley. A cycling route between Alan and Štirovača is 11.9 kilometres long, rated moderate, and estimated to take 1 to 1.25 hours. This travel time is a guide only.

The Alan–Mrkvište–Štirovača cycling route heads east from Planinarska kuća Alan, shares two kilometres with Trail E, then descends three kilometres from Mrkvište to Štirovača. Trail E follows the sequence Oltari–Zavižan–Lom–Lubenovac–Alan. After Zavižan and Mali Lom, the route reaches Alan via a gravel road through Lubenovac. Surface conditions, access and route conditions may vary on these cycling routes; check conditions before setting out.

Check opening hours before your trip

The listed seasonal opening schedule for Planinarska kuća Alan provides for continuous opening from late May to the end of October, and usual Sunday opening outside this season. Check the opening hours before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Prizna, Senj, Stinica, Mrzli Dol, Krasno Polje, Sveti Juraj, Klada, Seline.

Return to the main travel overview: Općina Senj.