Holy Mountain via Ivinih vodica 6 h.
Behind the hut immediately uphill s. 10' to hamlet Ramići - Parići. In a semi-circle above the village there are two ancient abandoned residential buildings, interesting for their shape and location. From Parići d. steeper and steeper, above the Paklenica streambed, across saddle terrain into the forest. After 30' across the stream and on the other side very steep for another about 1 h to Martinovo mirilo (914 m), pass between V. and M. Paklenica. Mirilo is a place where during the funeral procession in memory of the deceased two vertical stones are planted in the ground, one above the head, the other above the feet. Here our path meets the trail coming from the right from Seline and V. Močila. By it l. uphill forested ridge another 45' to mountain shelter on small clearing at Ivinih vodica.
MOUNTAIN SHELTER AT IVINIH VODICA (about 1250 m) is a ground-floor masonry building with one room, always open. Its location by water, forest and open high plain serves as a very necessary rest spot for ascent to the highest Velebit peaks, as ascent and return in one day is too much effort. Shelter equipped with 12 bunks and cooking gear. Bring sleeping bag. Water from spring near house (dries up in late summer). Renovated and roofed in 1983 and last year more thoroughly arranged.
Path continues along l. edge of forest steeply uphill, in numerous switchbacks, through scree another almost 1 h. At forest exit nice view from small saddle to Holy Mountain. Here junction where not to go r. better path, but further uphill to Čičina valley where our transverse path crosses longitudinal high path. By it r. another about 1:30-2 h to top of Holy Mountain.
Ascent from Paklenica, though overcoming 1000 m height, ranks among easiest ascents to Velebit from coastal side. Mostly through forest shade and past sufficient drinking water sources.
Seline - Small Paklenica - Holy Mountain about 10 h
At church in Seline turn from Adriatic highway to s. towards Velebit on footpath across karst plain 30' (2.5 km) to entrance of M. Paklenica. Through M. Paklenica canyon no trodden path, but among huge blocks of detached stones follow markings of Paklenica mountain path. Rocks here not such dimensions as in V. Paklenica, but progress much harder due to impassability and wilderness. Duration impossible to determine exactly, depends on traveler's resourcefulness. In upper part of canyon, at height about 470 m, valley forks: Small Paklenica continues l., r. separates Orljače torrent, through which also possible to Holy Mountain via Libinje, but hard to find way without guide due to rocky jump called Vir. About 1 km s. of fork rises from M. Paklenica l. uphill trail 30' steep ascent to Lekina njiva, from there r. branch 30' to Veliko Močilo well-trodden path along slope of bare Borovnik.
Path then steeply climbs r. to Klanac od Jablanuše and descends other side to Martinovo mirilo. Further to Holy Mountain as from hut in Paklenica. This approach to Holy Mountain undoubtedly hardest and hard to do in one day.
Modrići - Malo Libinje, Kneževići - Vlaški grad - Holy Mountain, 1753 m
Difficulty: hard Time: 7 h Height difference: 1375 m
Length: 14 km
Attractions on trail: Orljača breakthrough, village cluster, karst of Malo Libinje, karst flora, layered rock position - Komić, panoramic views, high meadows.
Access to start:
Approach: From Zagreb-Split highway at Maslenica. Head towards Starigrad - Paklenica. Pass Rovanjsku and at first big bend before Modrići (in deep valley) junction where turn right narrow asphalt road that winds above Modrići (follow Sv. Ivan sign). Follow asphalt that steeply winds above Modrići where asphalt ends and macadam begins. Drive straight until plateau where 1st junction go left. Hundred meters further 2nd junction turn left again. That is new macadam road to Libinje. Drive straight on it and at elevation ca. 900 m above sea junction. Left to Malo Libinje / right to Veliko Libinje
From hamlet Modrići follow trail to Malo Libinje (1 h 45') to houses Kneževići (water), from there 30' to plateau of Malo Libinje, to area Polje (karst meadows). Ascent slopes of Debelo brdo (stony meadows) to Veliki Štirovac from where to pass below Vlaški grad (2 h 30'). To top Vlaški grad (1375 m) 25' ascent. Ascent slopes of Sijaset to pass above Dolci bay (1 h), from there meadows to Holy Mountain, to memorial cross. Possible descent to Velika Paklenica (to Hut in Paklenica) via Čičina valley and Ivinih vodica (mountain shelter) about 4 h
Markings worse and in fog orientation difficult.