Put Malog Princa (Little Prince Trail), one of Croatia’s most beautiful but also demanding hiking trails, has been temporarily closed because of safety concerns linked to ageing climbing infrastructure and damaged protection equipment along the route.
The closure was announced by the Zadar mountaineering association PD Paklenica, which warned that the existing cables, climbing aids and safety elements on the trail are no longer considered reliable for safe passage.
According to the association, the entire installation system along the route now requires replacement and modernisation. The repair process is expected to be complex and could take at least another six months before the trail is considered safe to reopen.
Despite the closure notice, local mountaineering authorities warned that anyone attempting to access the trail does so entirely at their own risk.
Located on the southern part of the Velebit mountain range near the Crnopac shelter, the “Little Prince Trail” is considered one of the most distinctive hiking routes in Croatia. The trail passes through dramatic karst landscapes filled with narrow stone passages, caves, cliffs and natural rock formations before reaching the Bili Kuk peak.
Although the circular route itself is relatively short, the trail is known for being technically demanding and includes secured climbing sections with cables, ladders and metal supports.
The route was created in the early 2000s by Croatian mountaineer Slavko Tomerlin Tatek together with fellow climbers and quickly became one of the country’s most famous adventure hiking trails.
The closure mainly affects experienced hikers and adventure travellers visiting the Velebit region during the spring and summer hiking season.
