The view of mighty canyons of Velebit mountain

Photo: Sparc
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Sports & adventure trip

Via Dinarica trekking through national parks and to the highest Croatian peak

This trip takes you on a guided tour through unique natural treasures of Dalmatia: two national parks, and Croatia’s highest mountain. The prestigious National Geographic Traveler included Via Dinarica Trail amongst the world's best destinations.

You are in for some fascinating and exciting moments on Via Dinarica, an authentic outdoor experience of Croatia's magnificent highlands. Climb Mount Dinara and reach Sinjal, the highest peak in Croatia at 1831 m, which offers a magnificent view of mountains and lakes in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With an expert guide who will tell you all about the wilderness and the endless beauty around you, you’ll get to know all about the forests of Paklenica, the captivating waterfalls of the Krka River, and also discover the hidden secrets of Mount Dinara…

Trip highlights

  • Trekking through the National Park Paklenica's canyons, karst formations, stream waterfalls and mills
  • Trekking through the National Park Krka next to the wetlands, meadows and terraces to reach majestic waterfalls
  • Visit to an in situ cave within NP Krka, outside of which you'll have a most beautiful view of Roški slap cascades
  • A 6-hour hike to the highest peak in Croatia, with a half-way break for lunch at a mountain lodge
  • A stunning 360 degree panoramic view from the very top of Croatia's highest peak 

Trip availableMAY-OCT
Duration5 days
Suitable for2-8 people
SupportFully guided
Languagesen
Price per personfrom 779.00 €
Great for
  • Adventurers
  • Nature lovers
  • Young couples without children
You’ll be accommodated in
  • 4-star hotel
Trip designed by Helena Šarić

True believer that wherever you go, you should go with all your heart

Activities are taking place in Šibenik area

The Via Dinarica is a mega-mountaineering and hiking trail that extends from Albania to Slovenia, connecting natural and cultural sights in Dinarids.

The prestigious National Geographic Traveller included Via Dinarica Trail amongst the world's best destinations, thus acknowledging it as a great potential for development.

The largest part of the trail slices diagonally from southeast to northwest. Plate tectonics created a vertebrae-like limestone chain that aligned itself over 1,000 kilometres through the heart of the western Balkans. 

Day-by-day itinerary

DAY 1

Discover landmarks of Šibenik – the historic UNESCO protected sites

After the arrival to Šibenik, check in at the hotel. Take a short break, and go on a stroll through the historic centre of Šibenik where you can marvel at the Dalmatian Medieval and Renaissance architecture of the streets and squares. Explore the city's famous symbols – the Cathedral of St. James, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Šibenik fortresses.

If you're in the mood for a walk by the sea, take the lovely promenade along the Channel of St. Anthony, one of the most beautiful areas on the Adriatic coast and one of the most stunning maritime entrances into the city. The pearl of Venetian fortification architecture and one of the most attractive fortresses in the Adriatic – St. Nicholas' Fortress, almost completely surrounded by the sea – is visible from the promenade. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2

Amazing beauty of nature reveals itself through Paklenica canyons

After breakfast, meeting with a licensed tour guide, after which you will be transferred to the amazing Paklenica National Park, the starting point of our adventure. It is situated on the southern slopes of Mount Velebit and encompasses the torrent flows of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, and their distinctive canyons hew vertically into the southern slopes of Velebit and the wider area.

After arrival at the national park's reception area, we will continue to the Paklenica mountain lodge. The route that you will be taking is truly awe-inspiring. You will get to see the Paklenica mills, the Velika Paklenica canyon, karst formations, flora and fauna, stream waterfalls as well as Anića Kuk, the most famous rock in Croatia that rises to 712 m above sea level, which also makes it the highest rock on Mount Velebit and a popular hiking spot. Trekking beneath these formidable rocks that rise on both sides of the Velika Paklenica canyon as you listen to the soothing sound of the eponymous babbling stream will provide a total experience of the natural environment of this national park that you will never forget.

You will be stopping at a family-run farm at the foot below the mountain hamlets for a lunch break in the company of our hospitable hosts. Late afternoon return to Šibenik. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 3

Gorgeous cascades and waterfalls of the Krka river

Good morning! A new day brings new challenges as we head to another gorgeous national park – Krka, which encompasses the most beautiful area of the Krka river flow, as well as the lower Čikola river, and is world-famous for its abundance of lakes and waterfalls.

You will be leaving the hotel after breakfast. The national park is an area of exceptional beauty and high aesthetic value. You will traverse an 8.5 km long hiking trail that leads next to the wetlands, meadows and terraces perfumed by the fragrant Mediterranean vegetation until you reach the restored water mills of Roški Slap – a vast waterfall area consisting of the 22.5 m high main waterfalls and an array of backwaters, cascades and travertine islands.

After a traditional lunch at a family farm, you will continue towards Oziđana Pećina ("Walled Cave"). In order to reach this special site, which is part of an educational walking trail, we will have to climb 516 stairs. Outside the cave, you can enjoy the captivating view of "Ogrlice" ("Necklaces"), the famous Roški Slap cascades, which is a truly idyllic landscape. Return to Šibenik in the afternoon hours. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4

Jaw-dropping landscape from the top of Croatia

After breakfast, visit Mount Dinara, one of the most beautiful mountains in Croatia after which the Dinarides mountain chain was named. Its summit is Sinjal (1831m), which is also the highest peak in Croatia. The abundance of floral meadows and forests contributes to the otherworldly beauty of Dinara.

You will begin your 6-hour hike to the highest peak in Croatia in the village of Mirkovići at 8.00h. After 3 hours, we will stop at the Brezovac mountain lodge for a brunch. Afterwards, you will go on a scenic climb during which you will be surrounded by the jaw-dropping landscape. And there you’ll be, finally, at the top of Croatia, rewarded with a stunning 360° panoramic view that extends to almost all the mountains in Dalmatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Lake Peruča particularly catching the eye far below in the distance. It goes without saying that you will be guaranteed an experience at the top of Croatia. After a break and enjoying the view, we will head back. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 5

Urban Hiking Tour of Šibenik

Breakfast. Hotel check-out. If you're in the mood for further activity, we certainly recommend an urban hiking tour of the St. Michael and Barone fortresses in the historic centre of Šibenik, which you can reach by walking up Šibenik's stone-paved streets and climbing its numerous stairs. With 2851 stairs in its historic centre, Šibenik boasts the title of the city with the most stairs in Dalmatia. Make your way up to the gorgeous and newly restored Šibenik fortresses and revel in the scenic view of the entire Šibenik bay and the nearby islands. 

What's included?

  • 4 overnights in a standard double room in a 4-star hotel in Šibenik, with breakfast and tourist tax included
  • Wi-Fi Internet and Wellness relax zone, fitness included
  • Private full day excursion to Paklenica National Park on Day 2: transfer, English-speaking licensed tour guide, admission to the park, tour of the Paklenica mills, the Velika Paklenica canyon and Anića kuk, lunch at a family-run farm included
  • Private full day excursion to the Krka National Park on Day 3: transfer, English-speaking licensed tour guide, admission to the park, hiking on an 8.5 km long mountain trail, a visit to Oziđana Pećina, lunch at a family-run farm included
  • Private full day excursion to Mount Dinara on Day 4 – climbing the Sinjal peak: transfer, English-speaking licensed tour guide, brunch at the Brezovac mountain lodge included
  • Trip preparation fee
  • VAT 

What's not included?

  • International airfare to and from Croatia
  • Transfer to/from arrival/departure points, and transfers not included in the itinerary - available on request
  • Meals and services other than specified in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities (tips are always appreciated but not mandatory) 

Reductions and supplements

  • For 3rd person on additional bed on request
  • For single room on request

Ask about availability & get an offer

What happens when you request an offer?

1

We will double-check availability and make reservations for your rooms, restaurants, guides etc.

2

With reservations confirmed, we will prepare the best offer possible in regard to your arrival date & party size

3

You will get the offer via e-mail, along with the payment options. Feel free to request further customisations!

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