… Rugged mountains, beautiful coastlines…and incredibly scenic hikes. Have a look at some of these hikes. Some I’ve done before, some I haven’t – but they’re all on my list for our upcoming visit.
1. North of Croatia: “UCKA” IN THE KVARNER BAY
In Istria, not far from Rijeka, is 1400 m high Ucka Mountain. The mountain has several memorable hikes, but the best is a half-day hike to the stone tower on the summit of Vojak peak. There you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the Istrian peninsula, northern Adriatic islands, mountains of the Gorski Kotar region, all the way to Venice and the Alps.
2. North of Croatia: “RISNJAK” NATIONAL PARK
East of Rijeka, on the Rijeka – Zagreb route, is Risnjak National Park. It is one of Croatia’s prettiest national parks (Croatia has 8 national parks) thick with forests, meadows and wild life. The recommended hike here is the 3 hr hike from the main entrance to the park at Crni Lug to the Sclosser Hut (known as one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia).
3. North Island: “OSORSCICA” ON THE ISLAND OF LOSINJ
With its beautiful vistas and accessibility, Osoršćica on the Island of Lošinj is one of the most attractive Croatian island mountains. It got its name after the small town of Osor that is, interestingly enough, not located on the Island of Lošinj but the nearby Island of Cres. You can reach the Sveti Gaudent mountain lodge, the highest peak Televrin (588 m) and the viewing point of Sveti Mikula by following the marked hiking trails from Osor or Nerezine. With the exception of Osoršćica, there is a network of trails across the entire island where you can see all its beauty but also suffer horrible muscle ache.
4. North Island: “KAMENJA” ON THE ISLAND OF RAB
A rocky desert or a green valley? The Island of Rab offers you both, but you have to discover them. It takes an hour and a half of trail hiking to reach the highest island top of Kamenjak (410 m). That trail, as well as other trails in the Lopar area, are the works of Ante Premužić, a prominent builder of the longitudinal Velebit tourist trail. Speaking of Velebit, do you know that the most impressive view of its entire span can be seen from the mountain top on Rab? Get your camera ready!
