Veliki Obljak

Veliki Obljak is a rounded, forest-covered peak in the Middle Velebit mountain group, rising above the village of Bakovac Kosinjski in the Lika region of Croatia. It rarely makes it into guidebooks, but for anyone drawn to quiet mountain trails and views over the Kosinj valley, it's one of the more rewarding destinations in this part of the country.

Where exactly is Veliki Obljak?

The peak reaches 1,501 metres above sea level and belongs to the Middle Velebit group, the section of the Velebit range stretching between North Velebit and the Paklenica canyon. About 10 km east of Bakovac Kosinjski stands its smaller sibling, Mali Obljak (1,375 m) — together the two form a recognisable pair of summits visible from several viewpoints in the area, including nearby Veliki Kozjak.

The name "obljak" comes from the Croatian word "obao," meaning rounded — an accurate description of the summit's shape. Rather than a sharp rocky peak, it's a broad, wooded dome, typical of many summits in the central part of the massif.

How do you get to Veliki Obljak?

The starting point is the village of Bakovac Kosinjski, part of the Perušić municipality in Lika-Senj County. It sits in the Kosinj valley at the foot of Velebit, along the Bakovac stream, a tributary of the Lika river. A local road branches off the routes connecting Gospić and Karlobag, from which point the ascent continues on foot into the mountain interior. Because waymarking is sparse and the terrain is typically karst — rocky and uneven — it's worth contacting the Croatian Mountaineering Association (Hrvatski planinarski savez) or hiring an experienced local guide before setting out; Middle Velebit is one of the wilder, less-visited stretches of Velebit Nature Park.

What will you see along the way and from the summit?

The entire area around Veliki Obljak lies within Velebit Nature Park, which covers nearly the whole mountain range from Vratnik to Paklenica. The route passes through classic karst scenery — limestone outcrops, sinkholes, beech and fir forest, and high pastures — while the exposed upper slopes open onto views of the Kosinj valley and neighbouring Middle Velebit summits.

Bakovac Kosinjski itself has a history reaching back to the Middle Ages. It was once a settlement of the Buško clan of the Ljupčoć family, and the ruins of its old chapel have yielded stone plates bearing Glagolitic inscriptions and the coat of arms of the Frankopan counts. A few kilometres away lie the ruins of the medieval fortress of Ribnik and the source of the Bakovac river — the site where, before the Battle of Krbava in 1493, one of the earliest Glagolitic printing presses in Croatia operated, financed by Anž Frankopan. It was here that one of the first Croatian Glagolitic books was printed.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring, summer and early autumn (May to October) are the best times to head into the Veliki Obljak area, when trails are passable and mountain temperatures are moderate. In winter the terrain can become difficult to access because of snow and Velebit's notoriously strong bura winds.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Veliki Obljak? The peak stands at 1,501 metres above sea level, part of the Middle Velebit mountain group.

Can you hike Veliki Obljak without a guide? It's possible, but given the sparse waymarking and rocky karst terrain, hiking experience and a reliable map or GPS device are strongly recommended.

What else is worth seeing near the peak besides the summit itself? The ruins of Ribnik fortress, the source of the Bakovac river, and the site of an early Glagolitic printing press active before 1493 — a place of real significance in the history of Croatian literacy.

Is Veliki Obljak within a protected area? Yes, the entire area falls within Velebit Nature Park, which covers most of the mountain range.