22/11 2019

There used to be 30.000 sheep on Učka (pronounced utchka). People lived and died on that mountain for centuries, and it still possesses something mythical. Today, there are only a couple of hundred sheep on Učka and only one family of shepherds who drag this tradition into the 21st century keeping it from oblivion.

Times are changing. Učka is today called the Nature Park, and there is some basic level of nature protection. However, the institution of Nature Park has no autonomous resources, and the national forestry service has a leading say in this area. Učka was and will always be one of the most beautiful mountains in Croatia. We call such mountains niskogorje, or low range.

With its summit high at only 1400 meters above sea level, this mountain belongs to a so-called old mountain range. High Alps and Dolomites in Slovenia and Italy are the young ranges, as they formed much later after massif like Učka was already here.

Učka is part of Dinarides, and we call someone “you are a dinarid” when we want to say that someone is what would be a redneck in American slang. Dinaric mountains are harsh but rich with woods, old-growth forests, quietness, and epicness.

A whole lot of hiking trips can be combined in various directions on Učka and Ćićarija. Ćićarija is a ridge stretching from Učka to the west towards Italy and Slovenia.

North Adriatic highland is so interlaced with countless trails that any tour can be adjusted to go any way we want. That is an extraordinary advantage and attractiveness of Učka, where a mountaineer can come at any time of the year, take different directions and routes, and always find new trails, thrills, and beauty.

With two steep slopes and a sharp ridge, Učka mountain is simple in shape. The ridge is the highest at the beginning (Vojak, 1396 m), from where it gradually descends over the peaks of Bodaj, Šikovac, and Sisol towards the south of the Plomin channel, where it abruptly sinks into the sea.

The western, steeper side of Učka descends abruptly towards Istria. The eastern slopes of the massif, facing the sea, are covered with pine forests and mixed deciduous trees where beech is predominant.

Many species of medicinal plants and various wildflowers grow on the clearings. From cultivation cultures, especially in the hinterland of Lovran, cherries and chestnut forests are known. Due to the richness and diversity of the flora, Uchka was proclaimed a nature park.

All full descents and ascents are long (1400 meters altitude difference) but very attractive because of the sea view and beautiful forests, the richness of nature and its diversity from one elevation zone to another.

The entire Učka massif provides mountaineers with charming scenery, especially the highest peaks (Vojak, Bodaj, Šikovac, Sisol), some of the most beautiful vistas in Croatia.

From the ridge of Učka, there are unforgettable views. At the palm of your hand, you can see Istria, the Bay of Rijeka, the northern Adriatic with islands, Gorski Kotar, Velebit, Ćićarija, and after the storm, when the air is clear, the Gulf of Trieste, the Julian Alps, and the Dolomites in Italy.