Croatia National Parks Walking Holiday
Experience the freedom of a self-guided road trip, allowing you to explore Croatia at your own pace
Discover the diverse beauty of Croatia’s nature, from the lush scenery of Krka National Park to the rugged peaks of Biokovo
Immerse yourself in the thrill of hiking, with trails leading you through lush forests, along scenic rivers, and up to a breathtaking viewpoint
Explore historic cities and charming coastal towns like Split and Šibenik, soaking up the local culture and cuisine
Enjoy the flexibility to stop at beautiful Croatian beaches for a refreshing swim, truly making the most of your vacation
Hiking around the emerald green Plitvice Lakes
Exploring historic towns like Šibenik
Hike in lush National Park landscapes
Great coastal panoramas from scenic viewpoints
Hike on memorable trails
Stop at scenic Dalmatian towns like Omiš
Explore the rugged karts landscape of Paklenica National Park
Drive along the scenic Adriatic Highway
Beautiful beaches of Makarska Riviera
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at the Zagreb Airport, you’ll pick up your rental car and set off on a scenic 2-hour drive to your accommodation in the Plitvice Lakes area. The journey itself is a treat, offering glimpses of Croatia’s beautiful landscapes.
Overnight in the Plitvice Lakes area
Your trip will start with a bang —a hike around the Plitvice Lakes National Park. A network of wooden footbridges and pathways will guide you through this UNESCO-protected site. You’ll marvel at the cascading emerald waterfalls and ponds, and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature. A panoramic boat ride will offer you a final view of the lakes and the surrounding wilderness.
Afterwards, you’ll drive to Starigrad – Paklenica, a journey of about 1.5 hours.
Overnight in Starigrad
8 km; 140 m of elevation gain and 140 m of elevation loss
Your third day will be spent exploring the National Park Paklenica. It covers two canyons, Mala and Velika Paklenica, that have long been a sanctuary for all sorts of goats — from mountain goats to human climbers. You’ll hike through the canyon of Velika Paklenica, passing climbers tackling imposing rock faces like Anića Kuk, and make your way to the Paklenica Mountain Hut, nestled at the foot of the Velebit Mountain Range’s highest peaks. If time allows, you can also visit a hidden cave before returning to your accommodation.
After your adventure, you’ll drive to Šibenik, a journey of about 1 hour, where you’ll check into your new accommodation.
Overnight in Šibenik
16 km; 1050 m of elevation gain and 1050 m of elevation loss (with the secret cave)
After a short self-drive to Skradin, you’ll embark on a hike to Skradinski Buk. This tranquil journey, located in Krka National Park, follows a trail cut into the right bank of the Krka River. As you walk, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the river, the green cliffs of the canyon, and the Skradinski Buk waterfall, the seventh, final, and longest tufa barrier on the Krka River and also the longest tufa barrier in Europe. This waterfall is one of the most unusual and beautiful landscapes in the park.
You will return back to Skradin the same way. After your hike, you’ll drive back to Šibenik.
Overnight in Šibenik
10.8 km; 130 m of elevation gain and 130 m of elevation loss
You’ll embark on a road trip along the Jadranska Magistrala, one of the most scenic roads in the Balkans, offering stunning views of the sea, bays, and charming towns along the way. You’ll drive to the famous city of Split, and explore its sights, like the Diocletian Palace. Then you will continue to Omiš, where you can opt for a guided Via Ferrata. Otherwise, you stop at any of the scenic villages and towns (like Primošten) along the road for a swim and lunch.
Your journey will end in Makarska, where you’ll check into your accommodation.
Overnight in Makarska
Start your day early with a hike to Vošac, a peak in the Biokovo Nature Park. It begins right from your accommodation and leads you up a steep rocky trail, hidden from the sun in the early hours of the day. At the top (where there is also a sometimes-open hut), you’ll be surrounded by one of the best views of the Adriatic Sea and the Croatian islands.
After the steep descent to Makarska, you can enjoy a well-deserved lunch and relax on the beach. Whether you choose to take a refreshing swim or simply soak up the sun, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Overnight in Makarska
13.3 km; 1400 m of elevation gain and 1400 m of elevation loss
On your final day, you’ll drive to Split Airport, where you’ll drop off your rental car before your departure. This marks the end of your unforgettable Croatian adventure.
Not enough? Why not spend a few more days here! Extend your holidays with a pre- or post-holiday extension. Accommodation, sightseeing, and activities can be arranged. Add as many extra days to your holiday as you wish.
Pricing
Included in price
6x accommodation with breakfast in 3* or 4* hotels/apartments
Tour design and organisation
Booklet with detailed itinerary
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
24/7 service and support during your holidays
All entrance fees as per itinerary
Description
Imagine the freedom of the open road, the thrill of discovering new landscapes, and the joy of immersing yourself in nature’s wonders. This self-drive holiday through Croatia’s stunning national & nature parks offers all this and more.
Starting in Zagreb, you’ll journey through the lush greenery of Plitvice and Krka, the rocky karst landscapes of Paklenica and Biokovo, and the historic cities of Split and Šibenik. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at beautiful Croatian beaches for a refreshing swim.
This holiday is not just about the destinations, but also the journey. With a rental car at your disposal, you have the freedom to explore Croatia at your own pace, not just the predetermined itinerary, but also the hidden gems you’ll find along the way. The diversity of Croatia’s national parks, from emerald lakes to rugged peaks, ensures a rich and varied experience.
At Walking Holidays Croatia, we strive to make your holiday as hassle-free as possible. We take care of all accommodation bookings and provide a detailed itinerary handout with GPS routes and tips for locations and other useful information. Should you need any assistance during your trip, our 24/7 support is just a phone call away.
So why wait? Embrace the freedom of the open road, immerse yourself in the beauty of Croatia’s national parks, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Map
Start planning today!
Things to know
It is what the name suggests, there is no guide that is breathing down your neck. As provided by us, it is a unique and flexible vacation option that allows you to explore the picturesque landscapes of Croatia at your own pace.
We take care of all the logistical details for you — we book your accommodations, supply a comprehensive itinerary with descriptions of routes, highlights along the way, and any other vital information you might need for your adventure. This itinerary is accompanied by GPS navigation via an easy-to-use app to ensure you can explore freely without worrying about getting lost. And to provide you with peace of mind, we also offer 24/7 support throughout your holiday, ensuring assistance is always just a call away if you need help during your journey.
This setup allows you to enjoy the beauty and culture of Croatia while maintaining a certain degree of freedom and flexibility in your schedule, making for a truly personalised travel experience.
Ideal times to embark on a walking holiday along the Croatian coast and islands are the shoulder months of May, June, September, and October. During these periods, the climate is optimal for hiking and exploring stunning coastal landscapes. If you’re a fan of swimming, the summer months provide warmer sea temperatures for a refreshing dip. However, the higher temperatures during these months can make walking more strenuous.
Absolutely, we understand that everyone has unique dietary needs and we aim to cater for them. Most places we visit can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. However, it is crucial that you inform us of any food restrictions or allergies in advance so we can ensure your needs are met throughout your holiday.
We arrange for our guests to stay in a mix of hotels and private accommodations, depending on the specific holiday and the region of Croatia being explored.
Yes, we strongly recommend booking in advance. Early booking not only secures your spot but also provides you with a wider range of options. Please note that if you book just prior to or during the season, we may not be able to guarantee availability in certain hotels and apartments.
Croatia is well-connected by air, with international airports in major cities like Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, and Pula. Alternatively, you can also reach Croatia by train or bus from various European cities, or by car if you’re touring from a neighbouring country. If you’re travelling from a further distance, connecting flights via major European airports are usually available.
This walking holiday is a more challenging one since two of the days feature relatively long distances and moderate to high elevation gain — Paklenica and Biokovo. They are spaced apart to ensure proper rest, but still. The holiday is recommended for those with a least a little bit of hiking experience and surefootedness on rocky terrain. The paths are not exposed, but if you are hiking on this kind of terrain for the first time, spraining an ankle is not just a coincidence.
The Krka and Plitvice hikes, on the other hand, are easy both in how long and how technical they are.
What we would also recommend is that you start all of these hikes early in the day. Especially in summer months, the temperatures can climb quite high, making some of the trails less pleasant if tackled too late.
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Self-guided
HASSLE-FREE
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
TRIED & TESTED ADVENTURES
UNBEATABLE SUPPORT
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