After 2 hours that's when the fun starts as you'll start going up a steep forest for about an hour 1/2.
The last part is a crazy scree which will make you climb on all fours. One step foward two steps backwards on small stones. I have rarely suffered so much. Out of breath and sweating like crazy. I even lost the track to start climbing on the bigger stones to get a better grip. Once on the top, the view is one of a kind. That 360° view into a cirque, the sea and the mounts around will make you proud of your 10 hour roundtrip hike.
The way down the scree is a lot of fun. One mate advised us either to surf or jump over the scree. And it was not only fast but a good adrenaline intake. But beware of the stones rolling down behind of you. I've had to jump on the side to avoid a big boulder coming my way. Coming down round sunset is the best advise I can give you to enjoy the lighting into the beech forest (plan one hour to reach it). With the fall colors, we've been stroke by a very warm and surrealistic light.
So plan to have your headlights to finish the hike. It is so worth it. One of the most oniric hike I've made on this trip.
And I cannot begin to mention how fortunate I felt when I once again had a good hell of a team meet randomly on the beach to go on this hike with. They also initiated me to climbing there. And this is an incredible exhaltation feeling.
Wanna see more of the Velebit's magic. Check out this fantastic hike in the northern Velebit. click here