Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia

Arrive in Zagreb, a city rich in art, culture and gastronomy, but for a capital city it doesn't experience the huge rush of tourists that most other European capitals do. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 9pm for the welcome meeting. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Zagreb at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Franjo Tudman Airport Zagreb (ZAG) which is around 30 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to stroll along the cobbled streets of Gornji Grad (Upper Town), you could take the funicular up from the main street (Illica), it's the shortest cable car.

After breakfast, we'll go on a morning hiking tour of the Medvednica mountain, stopping for lunch at one of the area's traditional huts. We'll take the tram up to the Sljeme Cable Car where the hike begins. The trail is called the Leustek trail and takes us almost all the way to the Stara Lugarnica mountain hut which is famous for its apple strudel, excellent goulash, draft beer and funky staff. After the hike you'll have free time to explore Zagreb, often celebrated as the city of museums, boasting more museums per square foot than any other city in the world. The city presents a striking mix of architectural styles, from elegant Austro-Hungarian buildings to bold, austere socialist structures. While many buildings still show scaffolding following the 2020 earthquakes, this only adds to Zagreb's story of resilience and ongoing renewal. Highlights include the Gothic splendour of Zagreb Cathedral and the 13th-century charm of Saint Mark's Church, both testaments to the city's rich history and enduring spirit. For today's walk, you might find walking poles helpful, as a few sections of the trail can be uneven or rocky and it is mostly uphill- poles will add a bit of extra stability and comfort as you hike. Fit hikers will find the route a satisfying day out, while less-fit walkers may find it challenging but manageable. The hike today is 5-6 kilometres/3-4 miles long with about 700 metres/ 2297 feet ascent and takes around 2.5-3 hours.

After breakfast we embark on an approximate three-hour drive to the magnificent Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia's most beautiful natural attractions. Set amid forested hills, the park features terraces of travertine that cascade gracefully through lush landscapes, forming a series of plunging waterfalls and striking turquoise lakes rich in calcium- truly one of Europe's natural marvels. It is little wonder that this extraordinary park was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. Today we will follow a walking trail that offers sweeping views of the lakes, waterfalls, and surrounding pine-clad hills from an elevated perspective. Much of the walk follows wooden walkways and it is almost all on the flat. Over millennia, the waters of these lakes have slowly dissolved the limestone bedrock, carving out the valleys we see today. Through the deposition of calcium carbonate and the growth of specialised algae and moss, natural dams have formed, separating the lakes and creating the cascades. This dynamic process continues even now, as water gradually wears through the slow-growing barriers, forming new waterfalls. Our route also allows us to appreciate the region's rich flora, from reeds, bullrushes, and willow trees that shade the lakes and line the wooden walkways, to a diverse understorey of orchids, cyclamen, scabious, and smoke bushes thriving beneath the predominantly oak and beech forests. Today's hike is 8 kilometres/ 5 miles long and takes around 4-6 hours. The terrain is mostly on the flat, with a few short uphill sections and some steps.

After breakfast, we transfer to Baske Ostarije where we'll begin our hike through the stunning Velebit mountain range. This scenic hike offers a perfect combination of panoramic views, varied terrain, and authentic local cuisine. The trail begins with an easy, mostly flat walk through serene mountain landscapes. We'll then begin a gradual ascent towards some spectacular viewpoints overlooking the island of Pag and the Adriatic coastline. Once we reach the top, and have sufficiently soaked in the views, we'll continue for about two hours along a route surrounded by dramatic karst formations and unforgettable views of the famous Dabarski Kukovi rock formations - one of the most impressive landscapes in Croatia's mountain wilderness. Along the hike, we'll stop for lunch at a traditional mountain restaurant, where you can enjoy hearty local specialties such as rich homemade goulash served with homemade gnocchi. Once we've all eaten and have happy, full bellies, we'll continue the last leg of the hike which is fantastic for its wide open views stretching back towards the sea and the island of Pag. After the walk we'll drive to Karlobag where we'll have the option to have some free time, stopping for a drink, an ice-cream or going for a wander. We'll then transfer over to Starigrad, where we'll check into our hotel and have free time. For today's walk, you might find walking poles helpful, as a few sections of the trail can be uneven or rocky. Today's 11 kilometre/6.8 mile hike has an ascent and descent of 280 feet/85 metres. It is expected to take around 4 hours.

In the morning, we'll take a short bus ride to Zadar, a lively coastal city with a compact old town and fascinating Roman ruins. Here we'll have a guided tour of the city during which we'll learn about Zadar's rich history. After the tour we'll have free time to explore, have lunch and experience two of Zadar's unique attractions. Zadar is a beautiful and historical coastal town and the historical centre of Dalmatia which is home to remnants of Roman architecture including the remains of a Roman forum. Two of Zadar's main attractions include the soothing sounds of the Sea Organ and the captivating Sun Salutation light display. After soaking up the city's atmosphere, we'll transfer to our hotel in Starigrad, where we'll have free time to relax.

Today we have a full day hiking around the Paklenica Gorge. Leaving the hotel by bus, we will follow a route through the canyon, enjoying the views of high cliffs dotted with many climbers doing their best to get to the top. Making our way through the broadleaf forest we then descend into the upper reaches of the gorge, following a mountain trail lined with fragrant thyme and sage, all the while surrounded by stunning views of the dramatic karst gorge. We take our time as it is uneven terrain. Continuing up the gorge we will stop for lunch at a traditional mountain hut before returning through the spine of the gorge along a gentle stream. We wind our way through the window and chimney bellflowers and smoke bushes with a steep descent out of the gorge. There will be time for an optional visit to Paklenica Underground city - WWII-era bunkers turned into visitor centre. In a fun and interactive way, visitors are presented with the main theme of the Centre: exploration, learning, and experiencing the natural and cultural richness of Velebit Mountain and Paklenica National Park. For today's walk, you might find walking poles helpful, as a few sections of the trail can be uneven or rocky- poles will add a bit of extra stability and comfort as you hike. Fit hikers will find the route a satisfying day out, while less-fit walkers may find it challenging but manageable. Today's 7.4 mile/12 kilometre hike has an ascent and descent of 460 metres/1509 feet is expected to take around 5-6 hours.

After breakfast today, we'll transfer to the Krka National Park where we'll go on a beautiful hike. Our hike in the Krka National Park is a lovely hike over the Krka canyon ending at Roski Slap (Rog waterfall). We'll also have the option to hike to a cave and a viewpoint which takes a further 30 minutes. During the day, we'll hop on a boat to the island of Visovac where we'll have a guided tour of a Franciscan monastery. After our hike we'll transfer to Split and check into our hotel. We'll have free time to explore Split before our farewell dinner in the evening. Modern day Split is the product of 17 centuries of building, renovating and remodelling. We'll be spending the night in downtown Split which is located within in the walls of Diocletian's Palace. The palace is a well preserved Roman monument and became the mausoleum of the pagan Roman emperor. The building evolved with time into the world's oldest Roman Catholic church, today it is an intriguing maze of narrow cobblestone streets where pre-Romanesque churches nestle alongside Gothic chapels. Today's walk is 5.3 kilometres/3.3 miles with a descent of 60 metres/197 feet and an ascent of 206 metres/676 feet. It takes around 1.5 hours.