EN
Amidst the foothills of the Velebit mountain lies a hidden valley full of natural beauty, history, culture and endless adventures. The name of the valley, Velika Plana, means the Great Plain, referring to the open plain of the valley, which despite being cradled by Velebit Mountain on all four sides, offers expansive views.
Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch is founded and owned by the Yerkovich family. It is hewed out of the untamed landscape, with thoughtfulness and honor for the land, people and Croatia's wildlife. The result is an authentic 'old west' ranch that is in complete harmony with the surroundings. At the ranch you will find casitas, genuine Lakota Tipis, wooden cabins and there is enough space for Geardropper guests to pitch their tents.
In this land of golden dreams and rolling pastures where horses graze freely and where meadows are filled with wildflowers, people, often unsuspected, encounter one thing they did not plan on meeting: themselves.
Bruce, Megi and Joe are the managing partners of Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch. Together with their remarkable team of people they provide the Linden Tree experience, where adventure within nature meets personalized service. From wranglers to those in the kitchen, nature guides and our partners, this distinct collection of multi-talented individuals are more a family than staff.
The Ranch is located in the midst of the Velebit mountain area, which offers great opportunity for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking through the Velika Plana valley. The valley is known as the natural haven characterized by its beautiful green landscapes and unique vegetation.
The wranglers at the Ranch are well versed in natural horsemanship and love sharing their passion for horseback riding with guests of all different experience levels!
Glide along in a canoe through Lika River canyon. Keep your eye out for wildlife while paddling. Take a hike on one of the many trails in the forest around the Ranch. The trails are different and adapted both to the experienced and recreational hikers and people who enjoy walking through beautiful, picturesque landscapes. It is even possible to walk all the way to the coast by a short cut over the mountain; it makes for a great, multi-day camping trip.
Visit the Plitvice lakes, a magnificent collection of waterfalls, gallery of lakes, forest and diversity of animal life. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. Watch one the most beautiful sunsets in the world - according to Alfred Hitchcock - in Zadar, accompanied by the sounds of the sea organ. Or visit Nikola Tesla's birth place in Smiljan, just 20 km from the ranch.
