Kuterevo

Kuterevo is a small village in Croatia's Lika-Senj County, part of the Otočac municipality. Nestled at the foot of the Velebit mountain range, it sits in the Lika region, an area defined by dense forests, rugged ridges, and a long shepherding tradition. Home to only a few hundred people, Kuterevo has nonetheless become known well beyond the region thanks to one remarkable place — a refuge for orphaned brown bear cubs.

What is there to see in Kuterevo?

The main draw for visitors is the Kuterevo Refuge for Orphaned Brown Bear Cubs, operating since 2002. The refuge takes in young bears that have lost their mothers in the wild — through accidents, poaching, or other misfortunes — as well as bears that came from zoos where they could not live a natural life. The grounds are split into two sections: one for the youngest cubs that need intensive care, and another for older bears that have already made it through the hardest early stage.

The refuge is run by the Velebit Association of Kuterevo, and its daily operation relies almost entirely on volunteers — around 300 of them each year, coming not only from the village itself and Zagreb but from around the world. Entry is free, and the shelter is sustained by visitor donations. Roughly 20,000 people visit each year, and the brown bear has become an unofficial symbol of the entire village, appearing on signs, information boards, and souvenirs throughout Kuterevo.

Beyond the refuge itself, the surrounding area is worth exploring. Kuterevo makes a convenient base for trips into the Velebit mountains, one of Croatia's wildest and least populated ranges, home to Northern Velebit National Park and numerous hiking and cycling trails.

How do you get to Kuterevo?

The village lies deep in Lika, away from the main coastal highways, so travelling by car is the most practical option — the drive from Zagreb typically takes around two hours, while it's somewhat shorter from Rijeka or Zadar. The nearest larger town is Otočac, reachable by regular bus service from several towns in the region; from there, reaching Kuterevo itself requires local transport or a taxi, as direct connections are limited. Travellers coming along the coast can use the proximity of Velebit and the road linking Lika with Gospić as a helpful landmark.

When is the best time to visit?

The refuge's visiting season generally runs from spring through autumn, when the bears are active and the centre is open to visitors for full hours. The summer months (June–August) bring the largest crowds but also the best weather for combining a visit with exploring Velebit. Spring and early autumn offer a quieter experience with fewer visitors, while still providing good conditions for hiking in the surrounding mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the Kuterevo bear refuge free? Yes, admission is free. The refuge relies on visitor donations and volunteer work to operate.

How many bears live at the refuge? The number of resident bears changes over time, depending on how many animals arrive and how many are eventually relocated to permanent sanctuaries elsewhere.

Can you volunteer at Kuterevo for an extended stay? Yes, the Velebit Association regularly welcomes volunteers from Croatia and abroad — volunteer work is one of the main pillars keeping the refuge running.

What else is there to do near Kuterevo? Take advantage of the nearby Velebit mountains for hiking toward Northern Velebit National Park, or explore other Lika towns such as Otočac and Gospić.