Cres hides the oldest oak tree, caves, but also special griffon vultures

One of the attractions of the island of Cres, which is the most interesting in autumn is a wooded part Tramuntana, in the northern part of the island of Cres. The area of ​​the Tramuntana forest is almost 5.500 acres, and represents an important natural heritage. The vegetation cover of this area consists of high forests oak, hornbeam and chestnut. The oldest tree medunca oak, was proclaimed in 1997 a protected natural monument.

One of the most famous medunaca oaks is located in the hamlet of Sveti Petar. Due to its age and appearance, as well as the large cavities in the trunk, various stories and legends are woven around it that you will probably be able to learn from the locals or in Visitor Center in Beli. Whoever had the opportunity to see the beauty of this tree before it was ravaged by several storms in recent decades and broke most of its branches and the top of the canopy, will probably to disappoint with today’s appearance of the tree. However, the tree still with its wide trunk looks impressive and will probably withstand future weather and other adversities for a long time to come.

In the caves, complete skeletons are 12000 years old

There are many on the Tramuntana caves and pits. Some of them are particularly significant for biospeleological, paleontological and prehistoric studies. In the pit Čampari (Banićeva cave), a unique speleological object, were found near the village of Petrićevi four skeletons of a 12.000-year-old brown cave bear. These are the only such complete skeletons in this part of Europe.

Eco trails are former roads that connected villages

The first educational eco-trail on the island of Cres that leads through the Tramuntana area takes you through a total of 20 stations marked by stone sculptures by the academic sculptor Ljube De Karina. The verses of Andro Vid Mihičić, a great poet, patriot and thinker born in Beli, are engraved on them. It was established in the area of ​​the Tramuntana forest a network of educational eco-trails, and along the trails there are numerous labyrinths made in the desire to become a means of re-establishing communications of Man and the Spirit of Nature.

In the area of ​​Tramuntana there is a total 7 pedestrian, so called. eco trails that pass through the former roads that connected the now abandoned villages and shepherd's apartments on Tramuntana, 7 hiking trails and 3 bike trails. Experience the wilderness, meet sheep, turtles, griffon vultures. Go around the labyrinths, go through the paths surrounded by walls and just follow the marked points.

Experience the magnificent silhouette of a griffon vulture in flight

Observe flight of griffon vultures in Kvarner it is a special experience. Vultures most often fly in groups, hardly flapping their wings and searching the terrain for hours in search of food, which is very attractive not only for bird watchers, but also for all visitors to the island. They cross great distances with ease, and their appearance in the air or on one of the island's cliffs leaves no one indifferent.

Vultures are charismatic birds. Although they may not look attractive at first glance, the fact is that over a long history they have shared living space with people and have become part of folk tales and legends, taking on an important ecological and cultural role in the island area. Their charisma is also proven by the fact that they are considered a symbol of the island of Cres. Anyone who visits Cres and the Kvarner islands must look up at the sky in search of with the magnificent silhouette of a griffon vulture in flight.

Besides being one of the most beautiful beaches of the Adriatic, Cres also has a completely different tourist story that calls out for you to explore. A weekend on Cres seems ideal just in autumn.

Cover photo: Ivan Bagić - Pixabay.com