Croatia is a small country for great adventures. We have been adventure guides in this beautiful country for a decade, and we loved every single moment of it. But long before, our love for the outdoors began with hiking. To be more specific, we started hiking on the Biokovo Mountain near the city of Ploče, where we used to live, and each weekend was a time to stand on another peak. In this article, we bring you some of the best hikes in Croatia.
We know that Croatia is more famous for its coastline and islands, but there is a whole world that lies behind the beaches, a world of mountains and stunning views. Hiking in Croatia is one of the best ways to experience some of the best places of our country and enjoy the perfect views at the same time. For a long time, we used to organize a Biokovo Hiking and Photo safari tour that took place in the Biokovo Nature Park near the city of Makarska, and our guests loved it.
So here are some of the best hikes in Croatia you should definitely explore if you’re into nature and hiking.
Premužić Trail – Velebit Mountain Range We are starting this list of the best hiking trails in Croatia with one of the most iconic and scenic trails, the Premužić Trail, that winds along the Velebit mountain and passes through Northern Velebit National Park . This trail is a work of art and one of the best long-distance trails in Croatia. This trail is perfect for both casual walkers and experienced hikers looking for a longer trek.
Highlights:
Premužić Trail is 57 km long, but the most popular section is around 16 km and perfect for a full-day hike
Easy to moderate difficulty with mostly flat terrain
You’ll encounter limestone landscapes and rock formations, forests, and stunning coastal views
Easily accessible from Zavižan Mountain Hut
Bijele and Samarske Stijene (The White and Samarske Rocks) – Untamed Wilderness in Gorski Kotar From the Premužić Trail, we go to the nearby Bijele and Samarske Stijene, part with some of the most stunning rock formations in Croatia. If you’re an adventurous hiker, the Bijele (White) and Samarske Stijene in Gorski Kotar offer some of the wildest landscapes in Croatia. Solitude and some serious hiking adventures wait for you here.
Highlights:
These unique rock formations are located in a protected reserve with no vehicle access
They consist of sharp karst rock formations, narrow passages, and dense forest
Hiking trails in this landscape are demanding and require good navigation skills
Most suitable for experienced hikers with proper gear
Biokovo Mountain Hikes – Dalmatian Coastal Giants Biokovo is the mountain we grew up on and on which our hiking adventures began. This mountain rises above the Makarska Riviera and it’s very visited because of its proximity to the sea and beautiful views. Part of it is Biokovo Nature Park , and its highest peak, Sveti Jure (1762 m) , is the third-highest in Croatia. There is a narrow road that winds through the Biokovo Nature Park and reaches its highest peak, and this road is the reason why Biokovo is one of the most visited mountains in Croatia.
Highlights:
Hike to Sveti Jure (starting from Vošac or the mountain lodge at Ravna Vlaška)
Biokovo Skywalk – a glass platform with stunning views and the most visited attraction of the Biokovo Mountain
Biokovo offers some steep hiking trails with rocky terrain and amazing views
This mountain is rich in flora and fauna, and there is a high chance of seeing wild mountain goats if hiking on the more remote Biokovo trails
Knin to Dinara – Climb Croatia’s Highest Peak If you want to be the highest-standing man in Croatia, then this is the mountain for you. To be more specific, you need to reach the Dinara Peak (1831 m), which is often called Sinjal as well. There are few hiking trails that lead to the highest peak in Croatia, but the most famous one starts from Knin and leads all the way to the top of this mountain. There is also an unpaved road, so you can drive part of the way or book an organized ATV or Jeep tour at Dinara.
Highlights:
The highest peak in Croatia
Well-marked trail, but can be physically demanding, especially when hiking in the summer months
Great views of inland Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dinara has some unique karst landscapes and mountain flora
Velebit Hiking Routes – From Paklenica to Vaganski Vrh Velebit is the longest mountain range in Croatia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This magnificent mountain includes both Paklenica National Park and Northern Velebit National Park, which offer some of the best hikes in Croatia.
Highlights:
Vaganski Vrh (1757 m) : The highest peak of Velebit MountainPaklenica canyons (Velika and Mala Paklenica) : Mesmerizing canyons with climbing routes and hiking trails. Velika Paklenica is a national park and one of the most famous places for rock climbing in CroatiaVelebit is full of mountain huts and well-marked trails
Expect limestone cliffs and other rock formations, pine forests, and remote wilderness
Additional Hikes Worth Exploring Croatia is full of all kinds of hiking trails, and we have mentioned some of the most famous ones above. In the section below, we’re going to mention a few other, shorter trails that lead to equally beautiful landscapes.
Trail of the Little Prince (Put Malog Princa) We are starting this section of additional best hikes in Croatia with one of the most unique hiking trails located in the southern part of Velebit.
Located in the southern part of Velebit near Gračac
A circular educational trail named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince”
Full of scenic viewpoints and karst formations
Suitable for families and those looking for a more unique hiking experience in Croatia
Risnjak National Park Risnjak is one of the 8 national parks in Croatia and one of the best when it comes to hiking. It’s also the least visited national park, perfect if you’re looking for solitude and serene hikes.
Risnjak is located in the Gorski Kotar region and it’s full of lush forest trails, alpine meadows. Its highest point is Risnjak peak (1528 m) .
A less crowded national park and the perfect place for experiencing the wild side of Croatia
Učka Mountain Učka is the highest mountain in Istria, the largest peninsula in Croatia. We have to admit that we have never climbed this mountain, but it’s on our list. We love Istria very much and we’re going to stan on the peak of Učka soon enough.
Učka is located near Opatija and it’s part of Učka Nature Park . Hike to the top and enjoy panoramic views of Kvarner Bay from Vojak Peak (1401 m) .
Relatively easy and family-friendly trails.
Mosor Mountain (Near Split) We are ending this list of the best hikes in Croatia with the Mosor, the largest mountain in the Split area. Split is a great city and a very visited destination in Croatia. If you are into hiking and visiting Split, then Mosor is the best mountain to hike.
Great day hiking trips from Split with several trails starting from nearby villages like Sitno Gornje.
Panoramic views of the Dalmatian coast and islands near Split.
Hiking Tips for Croatia Hiking is one of the best outdoor activities. Period. It’s mostly safe, but you should never underestimate mountains, and there are quite a few hiking accidents in Croatia each year. Here are a few tips for a safe experience on the best hikes in Croatia:
Best time to hike : spring and autumn (April to October)Footwear : Always wear proper hiking boots, especially on rocky mountains like Biokovo, Dinara, and VelebitWeather : Mountain weather can change quickly, even in Croatia. Always check forecasts and be preparedWater : This is very important. Always carry enough water, as many hiking trails in Croatia don’t have water sourcesMaps : Use GPS, apps, or physical maps. Trails are generally well-marked, but this might vary depending on which trail you choose to hike
Before You Venture On The Best Hikes In Croatia Croatia is not as famous as some other European countries when it comes to hiking, but it can still offer quite a nice hiking experience. Mountains in Croatia are not as high, but the views from each of them are simply amazing. In this article, we have mentioned some of the best hiking trails in Croatia, but there are many more of them, and we’re sure you’ll be able to find a good hike near you, no matter where you stay in Croatia. Remember, don’t underestimate the Croatian mountains and always carry a lot of water.
Enjoy your hiking adventures in Croatia!
