Griffon vultures

Vrana lake (Vransko jezero)

National Park Risnjak

In Beli, on the island of Cres, is the seat of the eco-centre "Caput Insulae", whose main task is to provide for the survival of the endangered griffon vulture. The population nesting in colonies in this area is specific because their nests are situated on cliffs directly above the sea, while elsewhere these birds usually live in the mountains and in river canyons. The educational, 12 km long, path "Staza Tramuntana I", has been established here, with ten main and ten intermediate stations marking the most valuable natural and cultural-historic localities in the area.
 

Vransko jezero on the island of Cres is considered a phenomenon - it is a fresh-water lake in the midst of the salty sea and yet outside it. The lake is 74 m deep, its bottom is more than 61 m below sea level. The lake's level is 13 m above sea level. How come that sea and lake waters do not mix, is the geologists' question to which the answer is deftly hidden far below the ground of the island.  

Sustainable Development Center - Ekopark Pernat has already been operating for some years in a separate micro region of the island of Cres. Its objective is the evaluation of natural and cultural-historic heritage, the preservation of autochtonous popular architecture, local economy revitalization, environmental protection and implementation of alternative energy sources and many other activities in the area of Lubenice and the Pernat peninsula, by means of an integrated approach. 

The island of Susak is a unique island of sand sediments, deposited by stormy northern winds on the limestone base when the Adriatic was still dry land. Once almost the entire island used to be planted with grapes, and this "long-time tradition" may still be tasted today!
 

The Učka Nature Park with its vegetation is quite different from all other littoral mountains. Učka forests offer pleasant refreshment in summer and an unforgettable view extends from its peaks. 
 

The National Park Risnjak, just some 15 km of straight-line distance from the sea, occupies 64 km2 of mountain surface, precisely from the massif Snježnik in the west to the area of the river Kupa, including its source, on the north east. It extends from a point at altitude of 270 m to the peak Veliki Risnjak, 1.528 m high. There is a mountain cottage at the bottom. In the warmest summer days the temperature in the National Park Risnjak reaches about 20 C.
Info phone 051/836 133
 

Vražji prolaz, near Skrad in Gorski kotar, is a passage with paths and bridges between steep rocks and, above the foaming mountain brook Jaska, a 90 m high cascade above the semi cavern and the river source. Not far away, at the bottom of a seventy-metre high rock, lays Zeleni Vir, a powerful source at the bottom of a shallow cave. A brook dives down the rock, forming a curtain of water at the cave entrance. Zeleni vir (green whirlpool) was named after the colour of the lake in the cave.
 

The canyon Kamačnik (Vrbovsko) is a 3 km long gorge, with landscapes, cuttings, rocks and caves connected by mean of picturesque bridges and paths; a real inspiration for nature lovers, mountain trekkers and fishermen.