The best trekking routes in Croatia

ByTravesía Pirenaica
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia / Photo: Yves Wouters (Pexels)
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia / Photo: Yves Wouters (Pexels)

The routes are in the impressive limestone mountain ranges of Gorski kotar and Velebit, which are part of the Dinaric Alps, but there are also routes in Dalmatia and on the Istrian peninsula, as well as hikes around the capital, Zagreb. From the forested hills around Zagreb, to the roof of Croatia on the border with Bosnia, and the national parks of northern Velebit, Paklenica, Risnjak, Plitvice Lakes.

On the other hand, from the Gulf of Kvarner (south of Rijeka) to southern Dalmatia (west of Dubrovnik), the Croatian islands are characterised by limestone ridges and jagged peaks alternating with olive groves and lush green forests, while the coasts boast sun-drenched beaches and impressive cliffs. The islands are covered by a network of magnificent hiking trails.

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Practical guide

When to go?

The best times to visit the southern coastal mountain ranges (Mosor and Biokovo) are spring and autumn. Summer is the most pleasant time to visit Velebit and Gorski kotar.

Hiking on the Adriatic islands is possible all year round, with spring, summer and autumn being the best months; May, June and September are the best months for hiking, while July and August are the hottest.

Cities & Services

They are easily accessible from the coastal centres and major cities such as Zagreb, Rijeka and Split.

Zagreb, Rijeka, Opatija, Delnice, Skrad, Fužine, Karlobag, Starigrad-Paklenica, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik and other coastal resorts.

Adriatic Islands: Krk, Rab, Cres, Cres, Lošinj, Unije, Pag, Ugljan, Dugi otok, Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet

Not to be missed

  • Pazin Castle and ravine
  • Premužićeva Staza hiking trail through Velebit
  • Manita Peć (Paklenica National Park)
  • Dinara (the highest peak in Croatia at 1831m)
  • Waterfalls of Krka National Park
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park
  • Biokovo crossing.
  • The network of footpaths in Baška (Krk),
  • The rugged east coast of Rab, Osoršćica on Lošinj
  • The popular Hvar.
  • The Vis escarpment and remote Lastovo, Telašćica.
  • The nature parks of Lastovo, and the Mljet National Park.

The routes

Many routes take in Croatia's spectacular karst landscapes and mountain peaks; others explore the country's stunning national and nature parks, including the impressive UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes; and still more visit local attractions and places of interest, such as Vrelo Cave and Pazin Castle and Gorge.

Excursions near Zagreb

  • Grafičar, Sljeme
  • Vrh Sljeme
  • Veternica Cave
  • Samoborsko gorje

Istria and the Opatija Riviera

  • Vrh Učka
  • Pazinska jama

Gorski Kotar

Risnjak National Park

  • Vrh Risnjak
  • River Kupa source
  • Trekking Risnjak, Snježnik and Hahlić

Skrad and Fužine

  • Vražji prolaz and Zeleni vir
  • Burnji Bitoraj
  • Bajersko jezero and Vrelo cave

Velika kapela

  • Trekking Bjelolasica, Bijele stijene and Samarske stijene
  • Klek

Velebit

Northern Velebit and Central Velebit National Park

  • Mali Rajinac, Veliki Zavižan and Botanički vrt
  • Northern Velebit and Central Velebit trek

Paklenica and Southern Velebit National Park

  • Anica kuk
  • Manita peć
  • Južni Velebit (southern Velebit) and Paklenica trek

Zagora (Zagora Dalmatian)

  • Dinara trek
  • Krka National Park
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park

Central Dalmatia

  • Mosor trek
  • Kozjak
  • Biokovo traverse trek

South Dalmatia

  • Sniježnica (Ilijin vrh)
  • Sveti Ilija (Pelješac)

Croatian Islands in the Adriatic

The trails are almost uniformly clear and well signposted, and the views are often spectacular. Excursions explore the Croatian coast, visiting better-known places such as Hvar, Brac and Mljet, as well as lesser-known places such as Dugi otok and Lastovo.

  • KRK // Obzova / Rt Škuljica / Hlam / Zakam and Jurandvor /
  • RAB // Kamenjak / Kamenjak a Matkići / Premužićeva staza (Matkići a Lopar) /
  • CRES // Sis / Tramuntana /
  • LOŠINJ // Osoršćica / Veli Lošinj - The Dolphin Path /
  • UNIJE // Rt Vnetak /
  • PAG // Šimuni a Sv Vid / Dubrave a Sv Vid /
  • UGLJAN // Šćah /
  • DUGI OTOK // Oštravica, Orljak and Veli vrh / Kruševac / Telašćica Bay and Mir jezero /
  • BRAČ // Vidova gora /
  • HVAR // Sv Nikola / Stari Grad Plain
  • VIS // Sv Mihovil to Sv Duh (Hum) and Komiža / 'ena glava to Sv Duh (Hum) and Komiža / Komiža to Rt Barjaci, Dragodid and Sv Blaž /
  • KORČULA // Vela Luka a Hum / Kočje / Kom /
  • LASTOVO // Hom /
  • MLJET // Malo jezero / Veliki Gradac /

The most impressive places in Croatia for trekking and mountaineering:

  • Kornati 
  • Paklenica
  • Plitvice