Libinjska kosa - Sveto brdo

Access to starting point:
Leave the A1 motorway (Zagreb – Ploče) at the Maslenica exit and head towards Starigrad Paklenica. After the settlement of Rovanjska, be attentive as at the sharp left bend (small bay), before the settlement of Modrič, turn right onto a narrow asphalt road that rises quite steeply. After approximately 1.5 km, we reach a wider intersection where we turn left onto a gravel road (follow the sign for Sv. Ivan). After 600 m, a path branches off to the left but we continue straight ahead or right. The road is scenic and ascends gradually. Except for the transverse channels carved by water, the gravel is well passable for all vehicles and we follow it for about 10 km to the next intersection or starting point (Libinjska kosa 908 m). Here we could turn left but the gravel road ahead is significantly less passable for passenger vehicles, so it is recommended to park at a suitable place at the intersection, which extends the route by ca. 20 min.

Path description:
From Libinjska kosa, head left towards Sv. Ivan. Along the gravel road/track we walk for about 20 min and descend to the Malo Libinje plateau. At the ruins and shepherd's shelter we join the hiking trail from Modrič. The signboard and markers direct us right. Through grassy and rocky terrain we bypass some sinkholes until we reach a larger flat pasture (Lički doci) where there are also ruins of the Sv. Ivan chapel. Just before the chapel there are also signposts, where we turn left towards Vlaški grad and Sv. brdo (right is the path to Sv. brdo via Dušice). After crossing the pasture, the path begins to gently ascend along the slopes of Debelega brda through typical karst terrain of meadows and rocks. From the right side we also notice a spring of drinking water. The path continuously turns slightly left, sometimes ascending more steeply all the way to the Vlaški grad pass 1280 m. Here is also a trail junction, left to Vlaški grad summit (20 min), straight to bivouac Vlaški grad (currently under renovation and not in use – 6/2018), we head right onto the slopes of Sijaseta towards Vaganski vrh and Sv. brdo. Here the path becomes steeper and brings us in about half an hour to the next pass, where we turn right (left Vaganski vrh). The path then proceeds through meadows and scree and also descends slightly. Soon we reach the slopes of Sv. brdo where the path begins to ascend again and brings us to the panoramic summit in the next half hour. Descent along the same path or via Dušice.

Given that the path runs along the sunny side all the time and there is almost no shade (except Vlaški grad), good sun protection is necessary especially in the summer months, or start the hike early enough.

Libinjska kosa - Malo libinje 0:20, Malo Libinje - Vlaški grad 1:30, Vlaški grad - Sv. brdo 1:30.

On the way: Sv. Ivan (830m), Vlaški grad (1280m)