Croatia Walking Festival Gospić Otočac
Heart of Lika region is resting on a plateau at almost 600 meters above sea level. Logically, it is named Lika Field, with the town of Gospić in the middle of the field. It takes the area of almost 1000 square kilometers, with 50 scattered villages and hamlets, and it is larger than the area of the City of Zagreb, Paris and Berlin. Its forests, meadows and rivers have been inhabited since the early Stone Age, but thee town of Gospić was created much later at the beginning of the 18th century as a part the Military Border. The name of the town comes from the Latin word "hospitium" which means a hostel, and Gospić becomes more and more the town for a few days stay, and there are many reasons for staying longer. One of the reasons is the Croatian Walking Festival in Gospić and Otočac, a festival that is tailored upon a model of similar festivals in European countries. The walking festival is a tribute to a healthy body and spirit that spring from man's movement and coexistence with the surrounding nature. And is there a better place for walking that the plateaus and fields of Gospić, and its colorful meadows bordered by shadows of tall firs under green treetops? The Festival is organized by the Tourist Board of Lika-Senj County for up to 1000 participants of all ages who will have the opportunity to choose between two trails in two towns for two days: long trails Gospić - Tesla of 30 kilometers and Otočac - Gacka of 34 kilometers, and short trails Gospić – Tesla of 22 kilometer and Otočac - Gacka 18 kilometers in length. Thus we can meet the legacy of Nikola Tesla and the magic of the Gacka River valley through active vacation in Lika. The Croatian Walking Festival in Gospić and Otočac will take place on September 1st and 2nd, and the applications will be open until August 26th. The symbolic registration fee assists the organizers to provide escort and transport between the two cities, refreshments, official t-shirts, and all of that which makes a festival festivity, in this case, festivity of a movement and health. Aside from registration and fee, it is up to us to have comfortable footwear and appropriate clothing and a wide open heart to absorb the beauty of Lika's landscape in the good company of tireless walkers. Look for accommodation in Gospić or Otočac, and more information about the festival can be found at Croatiawalk.com.
