The Mountains and Hidden Beaches of Croatia

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*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.

Day 1: Arrival in Zagreb

Arrive in the Croatian capital city of Zagreb on your own. In the afternoon, you’ll meet your guide over a welcome drink to discuss all trip details and get all the information you will need for the week to come. You will also get to know the other travellers joining the tour. You can spend some time exploring the city, still have in mind that tomorrow you depart quite early.

• Accommodation: Hotel Park 45 or similar

Day 2: Walking in Plitvice National Park | 16km

Departure today is at 5 am, we realise that this is quite early; still, you can trust us that this is the way to get the best experience of the Plitvice National Park avoiding the crowds. You will be able to have a 2-hour nap in the van, and the hotel will prepare a take-away breakfast. Once there, we will explore the turquoise lakes and waterfalls, walking on wooden boardwalks, and learning about the local flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating geography and geology of this mesmerizing place. We will do a break around noon when the park gets most busy and head to our hotel. After a great home-cooked lunch and a relaxing siesta in the afternoon, we will head to the park once again, walk the less visited trails and enjoy the tranquillity of the area as much as possible.

• Walking for the day: 5-6h, 16km, ↑450m ↓450m
• Accommodation: local guesthouse (Rustic Lodge Plitvice or similar)

Day 3: From Velebit to the Islands | 12km

After breakfast, we drive approx 1.5h to the Velebit mountain range, rising along the coastline of central Croatia. It is full of rocky formations, extensive forests and grassy peaks with amazing views up to 1,700m above the Adriatic islands way underneath. Its wild, pristine landscapes add so much to the diversity of the trip. A semi-circular hike will take us along a grassy ridge and through occasional forests to the peaks of Visibaba, Prikinuto Brdo and Budakovo Brdo. There are no lunch options along the way so that we will enjoy our lunch boxes during the hike.

After we are done with the hike, we hop into the van and drive approx. 1h to the Adriatic coastline, where a private speedboat will pick us up and take us to the beautiful islands of the northern Adriatic. Our captain knows the region like the palm of his hand, and he will take us to secluded bays with crystal clear turquoise waters to enjoy the Adriatic without the crowds. On the way, we will also pass the infamous Goli Otok. A barren, uninhabited island that was the site of a political prison during the communist rule in the times when Croatia was still a part of Yugoslavia. We will spend around 3.5h on the boat and allow time for swimming, snorkelling, and simply taking advantage of our private boat to get completely away from everyday life. Meanwhile, your hiking guide will drive the van and your luggage to the island of Krk, where you get off the boat and check-in to your hotel for the next two nights.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, 12km, ↑500m ↓500m
• Accommodation: 3* hotel or local guesthouse (Bed & Breakfast Došen V or similar)

Day 4: Hiking on Krk island | 13km

Today we start hiking directly from our hotel’s doorstep in the town of Baska. The hiking trails will take us across the barren terrain of southern Krk which reveals a completely different face of Croatia’s islands. So rugged and hostile, but spectacular at the same time. We are rewarded with stunning island views, the high Velebit mountains in the background, and spectacular beaches to cool off in the blue Adriatic. There is almost no shade during the hike and it is often very windy in this area. That being said, our day will be highly influenced by the weather. We might need to start very early or cut the hike short if necessary. Your guide will make the necessary adaptations on the spot. We will return to Baska for a nice lunch in a cozy “konoba” in the old town. We will leave the afternoon and evening free to relax in the town of Stara Baška.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, 13km, ↑350m ↓350m
• Accommodation: 3* hotel or local guesthouse (Bed & Breakfast Došen V or similar)

Day 5: Hidden Beaches of Cres Island | 6km

The early risers among you will have the chance to do a truly spectacular morning hike to our favourite viewpoint above Baska. The views of Goli Otok, the stunning Prvic island and Velebit mountains in the background are definitely worth the effort. We will come back for late breakfast, have our last swim on Krk and then take a short ferry ride to Cres island. You will immediately feel the difference between both islands. Cres is much more forested, and you will smell all those pine trees and other Adriatic flora. We will drive to the tiny hilltop village of Lubenice. After a nice lunch in the old town, we will hike (approx. 45min) downhill to the famous Lubenice beach. We’ll be rewarded with a perfect white pebbly beach and refreshing turquoise waters. Again, we will explore the unknown bays, get a fishing boat to take us to the nearest harbour and spare ourselves the hot and steep hike back to the van. Your guide will make the sacrifice, get the van and pick you up after you have finished those cold beers in the nearest bar. We still have about 1-hour drive to reach the village of Veli Losinj, where we will spend the following two nights.

• Walking for the day: 2h, 6km, elevation ↑160m ↓160m
• Accommodation: Hotel Villa Conte or similar

Day 6: Coastal Walks on Losinj Island | 5km

Today we are doing some relaxed coastal walks on the island of Losinj. After breakfast, we start directly from the hotel and explore the east coast of Losinj. The pleasant trails will take us along the rocky coast and past several bays. You will enjoy the smell of the pine trees and have some refreshing swims before returning to Veli Losinj for lunch. In the afternoon you can relax, swim, have a nap, explore the neighbouring town of Mali Losinj or join the guide on another easy walk on the west coast. We will wrap it up with some drinks on the island’s best sunset location overlooking the town of Mali Losinj and the sharp Osorscica ridge, our challenge for tomorrow.

• Walking for the day: approx 5km
• Accommodation: Hotel Villa Conte or similar

Day 7: The Peaks of Losinj Island / Zagreb | 8km

Today we rise early again; after a 30 min drive, we will reach today’s trailhead and tackle the ascent to Osorscica ridge. It is a constant ascent with approx. 500m of elevation gain, luckily mostly in the shade of the forest. On the top, we are rewarded with spectacular views of Losinj’s and Cres’ coastline and numerous other islands. After completing our final hike of this trip, we drive to the tiny town of Osor for our last lunch together. If time permits, you can have another swim and then we head towards Zagreb. We will reach the Croatian capital in the late afternoon, check-in at the hotel and have a final gelato together before saying goodbye to your guide.

• Walking for the day: 4h, 8km, ↑500m ↓500m
• Accommodation: Hotel Park 45 or similar

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast explore Zagreb or head to your next adventure in the Balkans.

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• There are two bus lined from Zagreb airport to the city centre (and reverse): ZEP and Pleso. From both bus stations, you will still have to walk app. 30min to the hotel or take a taxi.
• It is possible to use Rijeka airport as well. It is located on the island of Krk, and the tour is passing it by on the way back to Zagreb on Day 7. If you prefer, you can be dropped off at a nearby hotel in Malinska or Njivice, from where it will be easy to catch your flight.