Life on Mars Trail 2

The adventure called Life on Mars continues on a new trail section opened in May 2024, connecting the starting point at Žigljen with the endpoint in the village of Metajna, covering a distance of 10.5 km. Life on Mars Trail 2 passes through the rugged stone terrain of Pag Island, offering impressive views of Velebit and the deep blue sea, while small hidden coves take your breath away.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:

The turnoff leading to the trailhead is located near the transformer station, about 2 km above the Žigljen ferry port. At that point, turn onto an asphalt road, and after approximately 800 meters you’ll reach a marked hiking path on the right, where it’s possible to park a vehicle.
Google location

After leaving the asphalt road, the first 6 km of the trail follow the coastline at altitudes varying between 100 and 200 m above sea level. It winds through diverse stone formations, passes about ten valleys, and climbs several natural “galleries” that provide breathtaking panoramic views of Velebit in almost its full length.

The most attractive part of the trail is just before descending into Vela Luka Bay, where hikers reach the last gallery – a place that feels like a scene from The Lord of the Rings. This segment is marked by frequent short ascents and descents, making it moderately demanding, with a few technically sensitive sections that require extra caution.

For safety and comfort, it is recommended to wear trail or hiking shoes suitable for rough terrain, carry at least 1.5 L of water, and bring sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), as the bare rocky landscape and lack of vegetation offer no natural shade.

Thanks to its many runnable sections, the trail is ideal for active athletes, experienced recreational hikers, and guided groups, which can be organized through the local DMC travel agency Sunturist Novalja or local adventure tourism operators (Outdoor Novalja and Pag Adventures).

The trail is not recommended for beginners or families with children, especially in the first part up to Vela Luka Bay, due to technically demanding sections and rocky terrain.

After about 6 km, you reach Vela Luka Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the Velebit Channel, inviting visitors to take a break and swim in the crystal-clear sea. From this point, the trail becomes significantly easier – the next 3.5 km lead across gentle, easily passable terrain, ideal for walkers, families with children, as well as runners and hikers seeking an active but lighter continuation.

After 1.2 km from Vela Luka, at the Dolac location, there is a football field in the middle of the rocky landscape, and here it’s possible to leave the trail by exiting to the road in Zubovići. Another 1 km further, there is a second road exit leading towards Mala Luka Bay.

From that point, the trail continues for another 2.5 km across very easy terrain until it joins the original Life on Mars route. At this location, you will be 9.5 km from the start in Žigljen, and you can choose to:

• Turn right – continue towards the village of Metajna, only 700 m away, or
• Turn left – continue along the original Life on Mars route, with two options: a shorter variant of an additional 7 km (via Slana Bay) or a longer variant of 12 km (via Malin Beach), suitable for more experienced participants.