Učka Nature Park encompasses Mount Učka and a part of the Ćićarija mountain range. It is located along the northern Adriatic coast at one of the most northerly points of the Mediterranean, right where Istria meets the continental part of Croatia.

The distinctive features for which this area was proclaimed a nature park have been known about for long time. Due to its relief and proximity to the sea, the area is characterised by a particular climate and lush forest vegetation. Also important are its rich meadows and other anthropogenic habitats that are home to numerous endemic, threatened and protected plant and animal species.

UČKA NATURE PARK GENERAL INFORMATION

• ENCOMPASSES: Mount Učka and part of the Ćićarija mountain range

• AREA: 160 km2

• HIGHEST PEAKS: Vojak 1,401 m, Veli Planik 1,272 m

• ACT AND YEAR OF PROCLAMATION: Law on the Proclamation of Učka Nature Park (Narodne novine official gazette no. 45/99); April 1999

• ACT AND YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PUBLIC INSTITUTION: Decree about the establishment of the Učka Nature Park Public Institution (Narodne novine official gazette 96/99); September 1999

• COUNTIES: Istria, Primorje-Gorski kotar

• TOWNS: Opatija

• MUNICIPALITIES: Kršan, Lanišće, Lovran, Lupoglav, Matulji, Mošćenička Draga

What is a nature park?

A nature park is a “spacious natural or partly cultivated land and/or sea area with ecological characteristics of international and national importance that are particularly valuable because of their landscape, cultural-historical heritage, educational or recreational potential”. In a nature park, activities that do not endanger its crucial characteristics are allowed (Nature Protection Law; Narodne novine official gazette no. 70/05).

Did you know?

The griffon vulture feeding site

…that griffon vultures, endangered in Croatia, are often flying over Učka in search for food? Once they were nesting here, but today their northern-Adriatic population is decreasing and in order to help in their preservation, a feeding site was build in Učka Nature Park, popularly called 'griffon vulture restaurants'.

The „Two towers“ trail

…that in 2018 a trail named „Two towers“ was established, which connects the town tower in Lovran with the Vojak tower on Učka? The trail goes through the existing hiking trail, and alongside there are educational boards that inform visitors on the flora and fauna of Učka.

The Roman cheese

…that it is traditional on Učka to produce the „molded“ sheep cheese of distinctive taste since the Roman Empire time? Its production was standardized due to its use in the nutrition of the Roman legions, while today's cheese made on Učka doesn't differ much from its antique ancestor.

Slavic mythology

…that the Mošćenička Draga's canyon used to be the scenery of sacred beliefs for the first Slavic settlers on the Kvarner area? The local toponyms like Perun, Babin grob and Voloski kuk witness about the old Slavic cult of Perun.