P.1625

P.1625 is an unnamed peak rising to 1,625 metres in the southern part of the Velebit mountain range in Croatia, right above the abandoned village of Počitelj in the Gospić municipality, Lika-Senj County. On maps and in geographic registers it appears only under the elevation label "P.1625" — it has no common name of its own, which is not unusual for less prominent summits in the Dinaric range.

Where exactly is P.1625?

The peak sits at coordinates 44.3933717, 15.4595991, within Velebit — Croatia's longest mountain range, stretching along the Adriatic coast. This stretch of the massif, level with Gospić, belongs to what is known as Southern Velebit and falls under the protection of Velebit Nature Park, which also holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. The terrain shows Velebit's typical karst character: limestone ridges, sinkholes and rocky crags.

Počitelj — the village at its foot

The nearest landmark is Počitelj, a village on the western edge of the Lika plain (Ličko Polje), about 16 km southeast of Gospić, reached via the D25 road. The place carries real historical weight — in the Middle Ages it hosted the central tribal fortress of the entire Lika region. King Béla IV once traded the Počitelj fortress with the Lika county governor, Peter Tolimirović, handing over the settlements of Kaseg (today's Gospić), Sičevo, Grebenar and Brotnjan in exchange. Today Počitelj is one of the depopulated villages around Gospić: the 2011 census recorded just 4 residents, and only three elderly women live there now. The village became a symbol of the region's depopulation following the Croatian Army's "Medak Pocket" operation in 1993.

How do you get there?

The starting point is Gospić, from where the D25 road leads toward Počitelj. Beyond the village, only local roads and mountain paths typical of Southern Velebit continue toward the peak — the ground is karstic and mountainous, calling for proper preparation and sturdy trekking footwear. It's worth picking up a Southern Velebit hiking map beforehand, since the area is not densely marked and P.1625 is not the destination of any official, waymarked trail.

What will you see, and when should you go?

Around P.1625 the landscape is classic Velebit: limestone ridgelines, stony slopes covered in low mountain vegetation, and wide views over the Lika plain and the range running toward the coast. The best window for a visit runs from May to October, when the paths are passable and mountain weather is more stable — Velebit is prone to strong winds (the notorious bura) and sudden weather shifts, so climbing to this altitude in autumn or winter calls for real mountain experience.

Frequently asked questions

Does P.1625 have another, more common name? No — geographic sources list it only by its elevation designation "P.1625," with no established common name.

Can you stay overnight near the peak? Počitelj itself is practically uninhabited (just a handful of people), so it offers no accommodation — book lodging in Gospić instead, the nearest town with services.

Is the route suitable for beginners? Southern Velebit's karst terrain is demanding, so a trip toward P.1625 is best suited to hikers with mountain experience and proper gear.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Combine the trip with a stop in Gospić itself and a visit to the historic, abandoned village of Počitelj, a quiet witness to Lika's turbulent past.