Krasno Polje - Vrila rijeke Gacke
From the Northern Velebit National Park to the clear springs of the River Gacka
Krasno Polje – Otočac (24 km) – Vrila Gacke (41 km) |
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distance 41.00 km |
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start Krasno Polje |
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end Vrila rijeke Gacke |
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total climb 500.00 m |
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The route from Krasno Polje passes through more wooded, Lika side of mountain Velebit, leading downhill to the crossroads for Otočac and Kuterevo, continuing towards Otočac. A detour from the route (3.5 km) is possible towards the picturesque village of Kuterevo, where there is a sanctuary for young bears kept by volunteers. The route leads through idyllic nature and the villages of Gorići and Švica. At the dry bed of the River Gacka, there are remains of an old waterpower plant in Švica dating from the beginning of the 20th century, while the Upper Lake (Croatian Gornje švičko jezero) with a wooden house greatly contributes to the charm of the village. At the signpost indicating the exit from Švica, the route turns to the right from the road and continues along the right embankment of the artificial channel of the River Gacka, then to the left onto the road leading to the bridge with a restaurant, and along the streets to the centre of Otočac. From here one can go to the northeast towards the Plitvice Lakes National Park (65-70 km), the most famous Croatian national park, which has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. The route from Otočac leads through the village of Prozor towards Sinac and springs of the River Gacka (Croatian Vrila Gacke), natural and ethnographic pearls of this area. It is possible to find accommodation in Ličko Lešće, Prozor and Otočac, the biggest town in the Gacka Valley.
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km |
Description |
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Length of the section |
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41 km |
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Proportion of asphalt/macadam |
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100/0% |
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Total climb |
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357 m |
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Traffic density – moderate |
24 |
Ride on D50 through Otočac – 300 m |
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Precautions |
9-13 |
The route leads through the bear habitat in the zone of village Kuterevo. Ride at night and early morning should be avoided. More cautious ride is recommended with occasional sound signals. |
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Supply options |
11 24 35 41 |
Kuterevo: a shop, a restaurant (family farm) Otočac: shops, restaurants, cafes Sinac: a shop Spring Tonković vrilo: a restaurant |
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Rest options |
24 38 |
A park in Otočac Spring Majerovo vrilo – benches and tables near the spring |
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Accommodation options |
11
24-41 |
Kuterevo – a family farm (Croatian OPG) and a gastronomic facility From Otočac to Gacka springs |
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Train |
41 + 5 |
Ličko Lešće train station – 5 km from the route |
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Detour |
11 |
Kuterevo, Bear Sanctuary kept by volunteers - 3.5 km, 120 m |
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km |
Technical description of the section |
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0 |
The route from Krasno Polje exits onto ŽC5140 near the post office. |
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11 |
There is a junction to 5141 to the right (off the EV8 route) towards Kuterevo (3.5 km – 120 m), a Velebit Sanctuary for young bears kept by volunteers. A shop and a restaurant. |
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18 |
In the village of Švica, after the bridge at the Y intersection, the route continues to the right. |
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20 |
At the signpost indicating the exit from Švica, the route turns to the right onto a small road along the channel embankment. Then it connects to the road and turns to the left, leading to the bridge. |
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24 |
The route exits onto D50 /Ulica Kralja Zvonimira Street and turns to the right, and after 300 meters, it reaches the centre of Otočac (a park, a church, a shop) suitable for rest. The route turns to the right and continues along the street Ulica bana Josipa Jelačića, followed by Ulica Luka, ŽC5143. |
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26 |
4 km from Otočac at the Y intersection with a sign for a vulcanizing shop, continue to the right. |
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30 |
After 3.5 km, left turn should be taken onto a side road, which exits onto D50 after 1 km. The route crosses D50, and immediately after it, turns to the right. |
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34 |
2.5 km after D50, the route reaches ŽC5144, crosses it and continues on ŽC5145 through Sinac towards Vrila Gacke (Gacka springs). |
