Sklopača

Sklopača is a hill near Malo Polje, in Lika-Senj County, in Croatia's Lika region. The peak rises to 777 meters above sea level and forms one of five viewpoints along the "Pet vrhova" (Five Peaks) trail inside the Grabovača Cave Park.

Where exactly is Sklopača?

The hill sits within the Perušić municipality, close to the small village of Malo Polje, on land managed by the Grabovača Cave Park. Its coordinates are 44.646389, 15.329444. This is a quiet, sparsely populated corner of Lika, away from the crowds heading to Plitvice Lakes National Park, even though the two areas share the same karst character — limestone hills, valleys and cave systems shaped by water over millennia.

How do you get to Sklopača?

The starting point is the entrance to Grabovača Cave Park, right by the souvenir shop, where the roughly 30-kilometer circular "Five Peaks" trail begins. The route links five hills in the area, and Sklopača is one of them. By car, the approach runs along local roads toward Perušić, from where signs lead to the cave park entrance and the trailhead.

What will you see along the trail?

The main draw is the scenery. From certain stretches of the Five Peaks trail, hikers get panoramic views over Lake Kruščica and the canyon carved by the Lika River. The landscape is classic Lika karst — limestone ridges, forested slopes and dry valleys — with none of the crowds found in the region's better-known spots, but plenty of open space and quiet. Grabovača Cave Park itself, the trail's starting point, is known for a system of caves open to visitors, which makes the wider area appealing to hikers and cave enthusiasts alike.

When is the best time to visit?

At roughly 30 kilometers with ascents approaching 800 meters, the trail is most comfortable in spring and autumn, when temperatures suit long hikes and visibility toward Lake Kruščica and the Lika canyon tends to be best. In summer, an early start helps you avoid the heat on the trail's exposed, rocky sections. Winter conditions can make the higher stretches harder to reach because of snow and ice.

Who is this trail for?

Given its length and elevation gain, the Five Peaks trail past Sklopača suits hikers with a reasonable level of fitness who are used to spending several hours on foot. It isn't a short family stroll — it's a full-day outing that calls for proper footwear, enough water and some sense of orientation. In exchange, it delivers genuine, uncrowded views over one of Lika's lesser-known corners.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Sklopača? The peak reaches 777 meters above sea level.

Can you reach Sklopača without planning the route in advance? It's best to start from the entrance of Grabovača Cave Park, where the marked Five Peaks trail begins — heading out without knowing the route is difficult given its length and terrain.

What can you see near Sklopača? Sections of the trail open up to views of Lake Kruščica and the canyon of the Lika River.

Is Sklopača close to Plitvice Lakes? Sklopača lies in the same karst region of Lika as Plitvice Lakes National Park, but it's a separate, lesser-known viewpoint within Grabovača Cave Park, in the Perušić municipality.