Zarin

Zarin is the highest peak of the Škamnica massif, rising to 828 metres above sea level in the municipality of Općina Brinje, in Croatia's Lika region. Brinje sits in a basin between the foothills of Velika Kapela and Velebit, and Zarin is one of the notable vantage points in this part of Lika, drawing regular hiking groups organised by the local mountaineering society.

How do you get to the top?

The hike to Zarin starts right in Brinje itself. The first stretch follows a short section of paved road before the path enters the forest and winds up through the slopes of Škamnica. Reaching the summit takes hikers roughly 1.5 hours, which makes Zarin one of the more approachable peaks around Brinje — suitable for casual walkers as well as more experienced hikers.

Zarin is also part of a longer marked loop trail known as the "Brinjski prsten" (Brinje Ring), stretching 18.5 kilometres in total. The route runs from Brinje via the Zarin summit and the nearby Siničić cave, then back to Brinje, tracing part of the Škamnica ridge along the way. It's a solid option for anyone who wants to combine the summit with a fuller day out on the trail.

What will you see up there?

From the top of Zarin, and especially from the nearby Kozjak viewpoint — about a 10-minute walk from the summit — the views open up to the south, taking in the surrounding hills and the valley around Brinje. The municipality itself lies wedged between two major mountain ranges, Velika Kapela and Velebit, so from the higher stretches of the trail you get a good sense of just how mountainous this corner of Lika really is.

When should you visit?

For years, Zarin has hosted a traditional spring hike organised by the local mountaineering society, Planinarsko društvo "Škamnica" from Brinje. The event is customarily held on the first weekend of April and has built up a long tradition — recent editions have been billed as the 15th consecutive gathering. Each year it draws anywhere from several dozen to well over a hundred participants from mountaineering clubs across Croatia, as well as from neighbouring Slovenia. That weekend is a good chance to tackle the summit as part of a larger organised group with guides who know the terrain well. Outside that date, the trail is open to independent hikers for most of the year, though as with any forest walk in Lika, it's worth checking conditions beforehand — the ground can ice over in winter and turn soft after spring rain.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Zarin? The peak reaches 828 metres above sea level and is the highest point of the Škamnica massif in the Brinje municipality.

How long does the hike to the summit take? From Brinje it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top — the route starts with a short paved stretch before continuing through forest.

Is the Kozjak viewpoint worth the detour? Yes — it's only about 10 minutes from the summit and offers a southward panorama over the surrounding hills and the Brinje valley.

Can Zarin be combined with a longer route? Yes, the peak lies on the 18.5-kilometre "Brinjski prsten" loop trail, which runs along the Škamnica ridge and past the Siničić cave before returning to Brinje.