Tabla

Tabla is a mountain peak rising above the village of Melinovac, in the Donji Lapac municipality, Lika-Senj County, Croatia. It sits in the north-central section of the Lička Plješivica massif, between the villages of Bjelopolje and Melinovac, in the eastern Lika area known as Ličko Pounje.

Where is Tabla and how do you get there?

Plješevica, also known as Lička Plješivica, is a Dinaric Alps mountain range that forms part of the natural border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tabla rises in the range's north-central part, directly above Melinovac, a small village sitting at roughly 440 metres above sea level at the foot of the massif. Donji Lapac itself, the municipal centre, lies in the valley of the Una river, wedged between Plješevica and the riverbed, at around 582 metres above sea level. Access is via regional roads from Korenica or Donji Lapac — this remains a quiet corner of Lika, well off the main tourist routes.

How high is Tabla, and what makes the area distinctive?

Tabla reaches an elevation of 1,613 metres. It isn't the highest point of the range — that distinction belongs to Gola Plješivica (1,646 m), located between Bihać and Korenica. Other notable summits nearby include Trovrh (1,602 m), Crni vrh (1,604 m) and Rudi Lisac (1,608 m). The whole massif forms a rocky, partly forested ridge typical of Dinaric terrain, with limestone crests, hidden basins, and views stretching deep into Lika and across the border into Bosnia.

What can you expect on the trail?

The Tabla area suits hikers who prefer routes away from the crowds. The Plješevica massif has marked hiking trails — the route up Gola Plješivica, for instance, runs just under 6 km, takes about 3 hours 30 minutes, and climbs roughly 980 metres, which gives a good sense of the range's character: steep ascents rewarded with panoramas over the Una valley, the forests of Lika, and neighbouring peaks on the Bosnian side of the border. Trailheads for this part of the massif are typically found in the villages at its base, such as Melinovac or Bjelopolje.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring through early autumn is the best window for hiking in the Plješevica massif, when trails are dry and free of snow and temperatures at elevations above 1,600 metres stay comfortable. In winter, the terrain can become difficult to access due to snow and the strong winds typical of Dinaric ridgelines, so trips during that season call for mountain experience.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Tabla? The peak reaches 1,613 metres above sea level.

Where exactly is Tabla located? In the north-central part of the Lička Plješivica range, between the villages of Bjelopolje and Melinovac, in the Donji Lapac municipality, Lika-Senj County.

Is Tabla the highest peak of Plješevica? No. The range's highest point is Gola Plješivica (1,646 m), between Bihać and Korenica.

Where's the best place to start a hike? Villages at the foot of the massif, such as Melinovac (around 440 m above sea level) or Bjelopolje, serve as typical starting points for routes further into the Plješevica range.