One of the most prominent natural areas in the Balkans

Situated on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, with 145-kilometre long Velebit massif, two national parks and a biosphere reserve, the area boasts a diverse range of habitats: from barren Mediterranean landscapes at sea level, to vast beech forests, to almost boreal systems and alpine grasslands at higher altitudes.

These habitats are home to an array of iconic wildlife species - from Balkan chamois and brown bear, to red deer and Eurasian lynx.

The Velebit Mountains | Croatia

The Rewilding Velebit team is working to restore natural processes, support wildlife comeback, and promote human-wildlife coexistence through innovative and sustainable land use.

A primary focus is transforming nearly 30,000 hectares of former hunting concessions into areas where wildlife watching replaces traditional hunting. As a result, iconic species such as brown bears, red deer, wild boars, lynxes, and golden eagles are returning and thriving. This resurgence is helping to power a growing nature-based economy, with wildlife hides and nature-based tourism experiences already bringing new income to the region.

Rewilding vision

The Velebit Mountain chain together with surrounding lowlands and marine areas will be one of the wildest, largest, best protected, and most well-known natural areas in Mediterranean Europe.

The unbroken ecological integrity of the Velebit massif has been preserved, as part of the larger Dinaric Arc Mountain chain, which ranges from Slovenia into Albania. At the same time, large areas of Velebit have become much wilder, with several core rewilding areas where natural processes largely regulate nature and native wildlife populations are abundant.

The tourism infrastructure along the coast is very well developed, with hiking trails, professional visitor centres, smaller overnight cabins, and various other types of accommodation. The dramatic coastal landscapes, characterised by steep cliffs, rugged canyons, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping plains, pay testament to the untamed beauty of the region.

Do you want to know more about Rewilding Europe's efforts to make the Velebit Mountains a wilder place?

Visit Rewilding Europe