Lika-Senj County · Croatia
Adriatic Highway Velebit Coast
D8Senj to Karlobag
Cliff-carved coastal road below the Velebit slopes.
The Senj to Karlobag stretch of the Jadranska magistrala is the most acclaimed section of Croatia’s D8 coastal highway, where the bare Velebit massif drops almost vertically into the Adriatic and the road is partly cut into the rock face. It strings together sea views, bays and offshore islands along serpentine curves perched above the water. Mind the strong bura crosswinds, exposed drops and summer tourist traffic.
On the road
The road runs from Senj to Karlobag, about 40 miles (64 km) of the D8. This coast road was built in the 1950s and 1960s. Like much of the D8, it is slower than the motorway inland, with many blind curves and side roads joining at road level.
The bura is the main thing to watch. On this stretch it comes as strong gusts from the side. When it blows hard, the Croatian Auto Club (HAK) can ban double-decker buses, cars towing caravans and motorcycles between Senj and Karlobag. HAK publishes current road conditions through the day, so check before you set off.
Senj makes a good start, with Nehaj Fortress, finished in 1558, on the hill above the town. Further south, Jablanac sits under Velebit facing the island of Rab. About half a mile (1 km) south of the village is Zavratnica, a narrow inlet with a wartime wreck. It is protected within Velebit Nature Park. Car ferries cross to Rab from Stinica, just up the coast from Jablanac, and to the island of Pag from Prizna.
Scenery
Best seasons
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Adriatic Highway Velebit Coast on the map39.6 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 2Elevation
under 4%4 to 8%over 8%-1 to 366 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- KalvarijaViewpoint6.0 mi in
- Kaličina glavaViewpoint12 mi in
- BunarićViewpoint11 mi in
Hazards
- Sudden bura crosswinds
- Exposed cliff drops
- Heavy summer traffic
Sources
“Offering beautiful landscapes and a breathtaking coastal panorama, it has to be seen to be believed.”
Route traced from OpenStreetMap, with its stats measured from that line. How the roads are mapped
Routes for iPhone carries Adriatic Highway Velebit Coast offline, with live weather and a 7 day forecast.
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