A Most Tricky Scenic Road to Vratnik Pass
Vratnik Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 700m (2,300ft) above sea level, located in Lika-Senj County, in Croatia.
What is the Josephina Road?
Tucked away in the Dinaric Alps, the scenic road through the pass dates back to Roman times when it served as a salt trade route, later becoming important for transporting timber and other goods in the Middle Ages. The drive offers stunning views of the northern Adriatic islands. The road to the summit is part of D23, also known as the Josephina Road (Jozefinska Cesta, Josefiner Straße), which connects Senj on the Adriatic coast to Karlovac in the Pannonian plain. Originally, the route had extremely steep sections, with inclines of up to 20%, and even one at 30%. Due to the difficulty, modifications were made to reduce the steepness, with the first major reconstruction in the late 18th century.
How long is the road to Vratnik Pass?
The road through the pass is fully paved. It stretches 22.9 km (14.22 miles) west to east, from Senj (a town on the upper Adriatic coast) to Žuta Lokva, located in the foothills of the Mala Kapela and Velebit mountains.
What’s the abandoned Hotel Vratnik?
At the summit, there’s a parking lot and the ruins of the abandoned Motel & Restaurant Vratnik. Though an intriguing place to explore, it’s dangerous, with chunks of concrete falling off, broken glass, and graffiti. The motel once offered one of the most beautiful views in Croatia and was a popular stop for motorists and travelers.