Wikiloc | Stupačinovo - Kuk od Karline plane - Ljubičko brdo - Filipov kuk - Metla - Mt. hut 'Sv. Josip'

Download

Trail photos

Photo ofStupačinovo - Kuk od Karline plane - Ljubičko brdo - Filipov kuk - Metla - Mt. hut 'Sv. Josip' - Stupačinovo (11/2022)

Author

Blackbirds

with 1 trail buddy

2,633 103 1216

See more trails from this author

Trail stats

Distance: 7.1 mi
Elevation gain: 2,536 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 2,536 ft
Max elevation: 4,515 ft
TrailRank: 55
Min elevation: 3,186 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Time: 7 hours 44 minutes
Coordinates: 2048
Uploaded: October 31, 2022
Recorded: October 2022

Be the first to clap

near Stupačinovo, Ličko-Senjska (Hrvatska)

Viewed 157 times, downloaded 6 times

Trail photos

Itinerary description

Physical difficulty: 4/5 (see Note #3)
Technical difficulty: 2.5/5

--

Note #1: The trail starts further along the gravel road from Stupačinovo hamlet. The road is passable for regular cars.

Note #2: The trail from Metla peak to the "Sv. Josip" mountain hut is NOT well-marked and is partially overgrown. There are leftover markings, but they're mostly faded, so you need to look carefully them. In the daylight, it shouldn't be that much of a problem, but we wouldn't advise going this way after nightfall.

Note #3: Maybe it's because this was our 3rd day of straight hiking, but we were completely exhausted by the end of it. First the steep ascent to Ljubičko brdo, then the equally steep way down to Filipov kuk, only to regain the elevation lost by climbing up to Metla... let's just say we were really, really tired by the end of it. Just don't underestimate the length and elevation gain of this trail.

The trail starts at a wider unmarked parking spot on the gravel road from Stupačinovo hamlet. The climb towards Kuk od Karline plane is steep, but not technically demanding. Ljubičko brdo is straight up ahead, about 500 m along the current ridge (marked by a big wooden cross).

Metla, your next big peak, is across to your left (north-east), while Baške Oštarije is to your right (south-west). Yup, there's still lots of walking ahead :)

From Ljuibčko brdo, you will go down a steep hillside, and about halfway through take a left towards Filipov kuk. After a short straight distance, you begin descending once more - first towards Filipvo kuk, and then still further down below towards the picnic area beneath it.

Once at the picnic area with the lake, you go left and begin the slow (and painful) ascent towards Metla, which is about the same height as Ljubčičko brdo where you just came from. Mentally prepare to climb once again all that way up.

The next stop after Metla is the mountain hut "Sv. Josip", to where leads a poorly-marked trail. Exercise caution here, use your GPS, and look carefully for the markings.

From the "Sv. Josip" hut it's a gentle up-and-down trail, all the way back to the parking lot.

Waypoints

Parking (about 2km from Stupačinovo)

Intersection #1 / to Ljubičko brdo

Kuk od Karline plane (1366 m)

A smaller rocky peak in the Dabarski kukovi group of peaks. The next peak, the grassy Ljubičko brdo is visible in the distance in front.

Ljubičko brdo (1320 m)

Ljubičko brdo is a broad grassy ridge, almost 1 km long, with a prominent group of smooth hips and rocks at the northwestern end. Rising from the source of the Ljubica stream, it closes on the north side a sharp field. In the lower part it is overgrown with forest and shrub, and in the upper third is a mountain lawn. It stands out with a beautiful view of the peaks of southern Velebit, Lika, Dabarski kukovi. The top is marked by a large wooden cross that is noticeable from a distance. The official peak stamp is built into a larger stone about 200 meters east of the peak.

Intersection #2 / left, to Filipov kuk

Vrata / go right

Vrata (eng. Doors) is a waypoint about half way from the next summit, Filipov kuk.

Intersection #3 / right, to Filipov kuk (optional)

This is an optional detour to a rocky ridge named Filipov kuk. To climb Filipov kuk you need some technical skills, but it's manageable even without ferrata equipment. You need to be careful, though, because you could fall and hurt yourself very badly, or worse.

Filipov kuk (1197 m)

Filipov kuk offers a nice view, like all peaks in Velebit. It's cliff-face is also a sports climbing area. The parking lot and picnic area down below is clearly visible from the top. There's also a small (but muddy) lake nearby.

Photo ofLake near Crno vrilo pit / picnic area

Lake near Crno vrilo pit / picnic area

The Crno vrilo pit is a speleological object that is constantly hydrologically active. The total length of the studied channels is about 412 m, with the deepest point being 143 m below surface.

Intersection #4 / go left

Intersection #5 / continue straight

Continue following the road you're on, slightly left along the bend.

Intersection #6 / to Metla

Metla (1288 m)

Metla (eng. "Broom") is a prominent peak on the Lika edge of the Velebit plateau. The top is marked with a stone pile. The official peak stamp is also built into that stone. The top is grassy, but devoid of trees so the view spreads in all directions. There is a particularly nice view towards Ljubičko brdo, Kiza and Bačić kuk.