| VanSims30. 03. 2014 16:35:46 |
Last Saturday I went to the southern neighbors on the last day before the weather worsened, which dragged on until Friday. I drive to Vinica, then across the border and straight onto the highway, which I exit at Gračac, about 20 km from there. From Gračac I head towards Prezid pass and Obrovac. Before the pass really starts I turn sharply left and up the hill on bad gravel. According to net info the forest road is supposed to be very bad but it wasn't that bad until the last couple of 100 meters before the first parking. That last part is a disaster!  Since at this parking I already see the hiking sign for Bili Kuk and Little Prince Path, I park.
I go following the signs. The forest road continues. When wondering where I might have missed the turnoff, I reach the end of the road and another parking. There right again signs. As far as I saw, the road from the first parking onward isn't that bad anymore. Would save about 15 min. of walking.
Anyway, I head right towards Bili Kuk. After about 20 min I reach a trail junction. Straight to 'sklonište' (shelter), left to Bili Kuk. After another 20 min. of walking I reach the next junction. There the Little Prince loop starts. I go right, didn't know then I could go left too.  Another 15 min. walking then the first protections start. I climb to some viewpoint. Weather was a bit sour (occasionally drizzled, once even a bit of hail , otherwise just little not to spoil the trip) and only neighboring mountains visible... Well, that view wasn't bad. In the middle of solitude (despite few cars at both parkings met no one on the path), silence, among rocks, karst valleys,...
Then I descend to junction where path to Zdenk's cave branches. Not really typical karst cave but kinda karst valley or cave in the literal sense. Worth visiting though. With ladders (last before bottom bit poorly attached) I descend into it and circle it. Then back to the cave branch and continue the path, which really properly starts here.
Path goes along ridges, valleys, sinkholes, rocks, screes,... Very cleverly routed. Mix of walking, free climbing (up to first grade also down), pegs, cables... Excellently marked which surprises me as internet info said not well. Path renovated in between, fresh marks. Protections stable and safe, except cables. Those not too secure. Not old and rusty but simply sloppily attached, sometimes just with wire. Not reliable for self-belay, well on this path it doesn't hurt (especially later ascent to Bili Kuk), helmet obligatory of course.
Whole section from first to last protection takes about 1.5-2 h and ends too soon of course. I reach junction and head left back to start. On the way of course detour left at marked junction for the cherry on top of the whole path - ascent to Bili Kuk. That's a bit more demanding than the whole path. On top no view due to fog, so had to imagine whole karst rocky pointy world dotted with sinkholes, valleys... Down same path, then back to path start, on return miss junction and already reach shelter branch.
From there not exactly the same path to car, but somewhere halfway to second parking take forest path that leads out somewhere halfway on forest road between parkings. Already before saw quite a few fallen trees, here even more. But since smaller and also single branches, conclude not from ice storm Croats had further north in Gorski Kotar. Here on Velebit probably annual phenomenon. Winter here brings strong bura and that's probably cause so many trees down every year. 
When to car I drive to Gračac where I go for a beer then on highway back home.
DIFFICULTY: Very demanding path per this portal's scale but lower range of that category. Solo ascent Bili Kuk somewhat harder, say mid-range of very demanding paths. Mix of free climbing (up to I+), and via ferrata (last part just before summit about B/C) down same path too. But short, ca. 15 min ascent. Say someone who solo reached Triglav could do all this.
Path otherwise very nice, perhaps (question how in main season) also solitary. Almost genius placed in karst world, only complaint as said bad cables. Otherwise full respect to authors.
Best description with pics: http://www.hikr.org/tour/post35518.html
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