The 8 Most Beautiful Hiking Trails in Croatia | Hiking Routes

Active Vacation: Hiking in Croatia

The coastal regions of Croatia offer magnificent landscapes for hikers. Green hills with romantic villages in Istria or dense forests with many bodies of water in Dalmatia are just two examples. The national parks of the country are also interesting for fans of this sport. In this article, you will get a detailed overview of the topic.

Basic tips for hiking trips and hiking tours in the coastal regions of Istria, Kvarner Bay, and Dalmatia

Suitable hiking trails are available for beginners and advanced hikers
There are lakes and waterfalls, many of which have good water quality and are suitable for swimming
Difficulty levels of the hiking routes are Easy + Medium + Hard
You determine the duration, area, and route of a hike yourself
If desired, you can join a guided hike in many areas
Especially in the quiet evening hours, hiking on the numerous beaches of Croatia is recommended

The 3 Best National Parks for Hiking in the Coastal Region

In the Krka National Park, named after the Krka River, there are 860 plant species and 220 animal species. The Krka River is 73 km long, with 45 km of it lying within the national park. There are seven major waterfalls along the river: Bilušića buk (22.4 m high) Ćorića buk or Brljan (15.5 m) Manojlovački slapovi (a series of waterfalls with a total height of 59.6 m and a main drop of 32 m) Sondovjel or Rošnjak (8.4 m) Miljačka slap (23.8 m) Roški slap (26 m) Skradinski buk (17 steps with a total height of 45.7 m) You can swim at several spots in the park. A particularly charming place for this is under the Skradinski Buk waterfall. It is usually warm enough to swim even in spring and autumn.

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia and is therefore not directly part of the coastal region. However, it is easily accessible from all coastal regions and impresses with its diverse plant life with 1267 species. The number of 619 animal species is also unusually high. Another highlight of the park is its 20 lakes. Four of them are underground. The above-ground lakes are connected by partially stepped waterfalls. There is a lot of nature to discover. On some lakes, electric boats operate as public transport. A boat ride as a hiking break is always a pleasant experience.

The name of the Paklenica National Park means "small cave" in English. Indeed, karst rocks with numerous caves are the central feature of the park. 1000 plant species and over 300 animal species inhabit the park. You can use over 150 km of hiking trails to explore the rich nature. Several Winnetou films were shot in the park.

Helpful Information about the Hiking Areas on the Coast

Hiking with Dogs

Croatia's tourist regions have adapted to vacationers with dogs and are considered dog-friendly. However, in the Croatian population, dogs do not have the same status as popular pets as in Germany. Therefore, the rules for dog owners are sometimes stricter. In all small and large towns as well as in national and nature parks, leash laws apply. Even outside these areas, hikers should keep their dogs on a leash. This way, you can avoid other people feeling disturbed by your dog. A short leash and sure-footed footwear help keep a four-legged friend under control. Those who want to enjoy a romantic evening hike on the beach should know that dogs are only allowed on specially designated dog beaches. Muzzle laws apply in public transport. The hot and dry summers on Croatia's coast can be a burden for dogs in combination with frequent hiking. Spring or autumn are therefore much better seasons to explore Croatia on foot. Of course, you also have the option to spend your summer hiking vacation in cooler regions of the country. Many restaurants allow dogs and often provide a water bowl.

Snakes and Ticks in Croatia

There are two species of snakes in Croatia that can be dangerous to humans if handled incorrectly. These are the horned viper and the adder, which also occurs in Germany. Both species are venomous. Therefore, you should find out before a hiking tour whether snakes live in the respective area. The horned viper, for example, can be found in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The symptoms after a bite from an adder are swelling at the bite site and shortness of breath. The stronger venom of the horned viper causes headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and palpitations in humans. Anyone bitten by a snake should see a doctor. If necessary, the doctor can administer an antiserum that quickly alleviates the poisoning symptoms. Both snake species only bite humans if they feel threatened. So, if you follow a few behavioral rules, you have nothing to fear. If you see a snake, you should not approach it further. A distance of at least 2 meters protects against sudden bites. When hiking in unclear terrain, there is a certain danger of accidentally stepping on a snake. The snake naturally feels threatened by the step. Therefore, it is advisable to always stay on well-visible hiking trails. If you walk through dense ground cover, carefully probing the path with a stick can help avoid stepping on snakes. From April to October, there is also a risk of ticks in some areas of Croatia. As you probably know, these animals can transmit various diseases. Examples are Lyme disease and early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE). Good protection against these unpopular animals includes anti-insect sprays, preferably high shoes, and long pants. It is also helpful not to walk through tall grass or other dense ground cover. If you must do so, you can tie the pants at the bottom or pull the socks over the pants to prevent ticks from getting unnoticed skin contact on the legs. You can get vaccinated against TBE. Dog owners know that there are also tick protection products available for their four-legged friends.