Mala Paklenica

This is the wilder side of Paklenica, vastly quieter than the main gorge we visited for climbing in 2019. I knew this, but was still guilty of mildly underestimating it. It runs parallel to the main canyon and is both smaller and tighter: rock climbing is banned. It begins innocuously enough, with a well-marked path along the base - very hot initially. It then begins to weave around and becomes quite technical in places. One large chockstone/drop has to be overcome by a scramble up the right wall, and another up the left. It was all surprisingly involved and time-consuming. Some traverses above the base of the gorge ease progress before a steep climb up scree and woodland on the left. After this, however, much more boulder hopping eventually leads to a watersource in a cave. Just when you think it is over, it draws you back to the base for the trickiest sections, some big boulders and awkward rises. At least it was all in the shade! It has a very remote, wild feel, and I adopted a highly cautious approach for obvious reasons. I saw nobody at all, for the entire outing, and above the gorge you are committed (but the going gets far easier). An easy dry stream bed leads eventually to a junction with the even wilder Orljaca. Instead, I took the side path northwest with views opening out to Sveto Bordo and the high peaks (which I had half wanted to do today - they would have taken hours though). Eventually, after a big climb zigzagging through the woods I reached a major, reassuring path junction at Skilijin Docic, a broad col/plateau. I headed southwest towards Rimenic, skirting just below the minor peak of Kuk od Dubrave. The going was far easier now, although still rocky. I disturbed an unidentified animal at one point. The route continued, through remote feeling terrain, staying fairly high on the plateau with nice open views contrasting with the canyon. After Riminic, it heads steeply down to Jukici, a long haul, after which a short road jog leads back to the park entrance. Around 2.5 hours, 15k/1500m (although again my altimeter may be a little out).