5 wild places to go hiking in Croatia

Main image: Northern Velebit National Park (Predrag Vučković/Avantura života)

Grab your boots as Croatia offers world-class walking, from sweeping coastal trails on the islands, through to wild hikes in its swathe of national parks, and testing ascents of its soaring mountain peaks. Handily, there are a number of long distance options, including the Croatian Long Distance Trail, a 2,200km national hiking network surging right through the country, making the most of the mountain trails, tracks and gravel roads. Croatia’s diversity is spectacular, with over 400 different routes delighting both beginners and experienced hikers.

1. The Adriatic Islands

There are a world of hiking adventures spread across Croatia’s more than 1,200 islands. Hiking up 778m-high Vidova Gora on Brač takes you to the highest point in the Croatian islands, with the ramble to the remote old monastery at Blaca another top-notch Brač hiking adventure. Krk is the Adriatic’s largest island, with everything from coastal strolls, to tougher mountain challenges including ascending Obzova, Krk’s highest peak at 568m. Further south in Dalmatia on Hvar again you can choose between a coast-hugging walk, or bounding up to higher ground. More rugged hikes await on scarcely populated Vis, with the yomp up 587m-high Mount Hum rewarded with a panorama of the isles. Much of seriously green Mljet has been designated a national park, meaning you can hike its bountiful, protected nature in peace. Croatia’s islands have real strength in depth, with Cres in the Kvarner Gulf home to over 300km of marked walking trails. A real joy of hiking on the Croatian islands is walking down to a hideaway beach or quiet cove afterwards to enjoy a soothing Adriatic dip.

2. Northern Velebit National Park

Hailed as a national park in 1999, this dramatic swathe of the Velebit mountain range is an oasis of cinematic beauty, its towering limestone mountains glowering high above the Adriatic. Hike in a world of real diversity. One minute you’re eking through dense forest, broken only by a tumbling waterfall, the next emerging onto a pristine Alpine meadow alive with colour, before bursting onwards through a high mountain pass to the land of jagged peaks and craggy ridges. Look out for endemic plant species, such as the Croatian sibiraea and Velebit degenia; Eurasian lynx, chamois and brown bear too, with golden eagles drifting high on the thermals. Access is easy with a sweep of trails to follow. Enjoy a leisurely half day, or really get stuck into a multi-day epic, or tackle landmark peaks like Veliki Zavizan (1,676m), just one of the 72 peaks along the multi-day Via Dinarica White Trail. Interpretive centres are on hand for hiking information and to teach you more about the unique ecosystems you are blessed to be walking through and what is being done to protect them.

3. Ivančica

Croatia’s Zagorje region is famous for its rolling hills, but this majestic mountain pushes up 1,060m into the heavens. Off the mainstream tourist map, you’ll find many more locals than tourists here right on the border with Hungary. The well-marked trails help with navigating as you set off from the village of Ivanec, with other routes available. Look out for the ruins of more than half a dozen castles that dot the mountain. Slowly ascending the mountain is like leafing through the pages of a vivid fairytale: one moment you are easing through ancient oak forests, then the next out on an open meadow surrounded by Alpine beauty; the scenery soon again changing as you reach gnarly rocks and steep cliffs on the mountain proper. A challenge; a spirit-soaring one at that. The postcard perfect views from the summit make all the effort worth it, as you survey the Zagorje, the Slovenian Alps and the Pannonian basin, gazing out towards Hungary. Hearty, delicious Zagorje cuisine awaits when you get back down. In Croatia you never go hungry after a hike. Nor thirsty.

4. Risnjak National Park

The hiking highlight of the mountainous Gorski Kotar region, the Risnjak National Park is a paradise for two-footed adventurers. This is no manicured, polished experience, with plenty of proper wilderness to immerse yourself in. The ‘Ris’ name comes from the local name for lynx, an animal you can still encounter in this seriously wild corner of Europe. Risnjak has it all, whether you want to ease across bright Alpine meadows, prefer to hunker down under a protective forest canopy, enjoy the coast’s karst cliffs, or you just have to clamber to the top of a high mountain. Family hiking is deeply popular in Croatia, so if you’ve wee ones in tow check out the Leska Educational Trail: a window into the national park’s unique geography, geology, flora and fauna, plus all the family can learn more about the essential conservation work. For a tougher challenge take on the eponymous peak of Risnjak, which climbs up to 1,528m. As well as those lynxes you may also see wild boar and deer. Stand atop Risnjak and you will feel like the king or queen of the world, taking in not only swathes of Croatia, but peaks in Slovenia and Italy too. Sublime.

5. Biokovo Nature Park

This park enjoys the spectacular setting of the 36km-long Biokovo massif overlooking the popular resort strip of Makarska. Vaulting limestone mountains and shimmering Adriatic create a striking binary beauty that accompany the wealth of hiking opportunities. Day trippers ease into the main entrance near the main resort of Makarska, while more avid hikers set off to take on Sveti Jure, at a whopping 1,764m the highest peak in the Biokovo mountain massif. The views will live long in your heart, staring out towards the tiny-looking isles of Hvar and Brač towards distant Italy. Families wanting a taste of the mountain world without going all the way to the top can explore the lower trails that offer a sniff of adventure and great views back down to the Makarska Riviera. The Makar village to the Vošac peak (1,422m) meanwhile is one of Croatia’s most famous walks, with the view from the summit again permanently seared on to your frontal lobes. Scenically it is all here in the Biokovo Nature Park with Alpine meadows, surging waterfalls and those savage mountain peaks.

Feeling inspired?

For more information, head to the official Croatian Tourist Board website.

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