Best Hikes in Croatia

Tucked away between the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea and the rest of the Balkans, you’ll find the beautiful little country of Croatia. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Croatia became a popular destination for travelers, and for good reasons. The landscapes are stunning, the country is safe, prices are affordable, people are friendly and almost everyone speaks English. All of this makes it an easy and comfortable place to travel.

While the country’s islands and medieval towns typically garner most people’s attention, you might be surprised to discover that Croatia is also a hiker's paradise. Croatia has everything from rigorous mountain hikes to calm coastal strolls. And we at Backroads think there’s no better way to learn about its culture and connect with its people than by throwing on your favorite hiking boots and exploring the country on foot. Additionally, hiking in Croatia is a great way to work up an appetite to feast on all the delicious local food!

Since Croatia has thousands of amazing hikes, it’s impossible to cover them all. So, in this article, we’ve decided to focus on the best hiking trails in and around the country's most popular tourist destinations. With that in mind, here are our favorite hikes in Croatia!

The Best Hike on Hvar - Hvar Town to Milna Coastal Route

This relaxing route starts in the center of historic Hvar Town before winding south along the island's impressive rocky coastline. This part of the island is littered with picturesque coves and secluded beaches, many of which you’ll see on your journey.

Once you’ve reached the charming seaside town of Milna, there’s a small beach and a handful of cozy bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to swim in the salty waters of the Adriatic or sip on a well-deserved ice-cold beverage.

On our Croatia Walking & Hiking Tour, you can enjoy this hike and walk up to the famous Spanish Fortress overlooking the Old Town of Hvar. Are you interested in an all-female trip? Check out our new Croatia Women’s Walking & Hiking Tour launching in 2024.

And we almost forgot… Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island, so you can expect perfect hiking weather year-round, regardless of when you visit!

The Best Hike Near Dubrovnik - Lopud Island

Dubrovnik is Croatia's crown jewel and has many nicknames, including “the Pearl of the Adriatic” and, for those Game of Thrones fans out there, “King’s Landing.” Lopud Island is just a few miles off the coast of Dubrovnik, and it’s perfect for a day trip. Furthermore, no cars are allowed on the islands, making it a hiker's dream.

Lopud boasts ancient ruins, sandy beaches, botanical gardens and crystal-clear waters. If that wasn’t enough, since the island measures only a couple of square miles, you’re always walking toward something interesting, regardless of the direction. If you can’t make it to Lopud, walking up to the Homeland War Museum above Dubrovnik is a good (but challenging) option.

On our Croatia to Montenegro Multi-Adventure Tour, you can visit Lopud Island, take a guided tour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and walk the Old Town walls surrounding the city. Alternatively, if you prefer a slower, more relaxed kind of travel, consider our Croatia to Montenegro Easygoing Multi-Adventure Tour.

The Best Hike Near Split - Our Lady of the Snow Route

Shortly after escaping the hustle and bustle of Split (where touring Diocletian’s Palace is a must), you’ll find the Poljica mountain range. These mountains have many fantastic hikes, but our favorite is the Our Lady of the Snow route. It connects the small town of Duče with the pirate town of Omiš.

The trail's name comes from a lovely old church of the same name that sits atop one of the peaks. While you’ll visit the church on the hike, the true highlight of this route is the constantly changing vistas. Along the way, you’ll have staggering views of the island of Brač, the Dinaric Alps, the Cetina River Gorge, a medieval fortress and more.

You can check this hike out for yourself on our Croatia Multi-Adventure Tour. On this trip, you will also get the opportunity to hop on bikes and inside kayaks. We offer special trips for women and families traveling with young kids, teens and adult children.

The Best Hike on Korčula - Kočje Nature Preserve

Located a little outside of Korčula Town, Kočje Nature Preserve is a government-protected park spanning roughly 10 acres. The landscape is drastically different from most other parts of the island, and hiking in the nature preserve feels like you have been dropped into a scene from Jurassic Park.

Kočje Nature Preserve is home to a thriving forest, moss-covered tree trunks, giant rock formations, local wildlife and even a few small caves. After your adventure, head into the Old Town of Korčula for a drink and a bite to eat. Korčula Town is often called “little Dubrovnik” and is the rumored birthplace of the infamous explorer Marco Polo.

Explore the park and other parts of Korčula with one of our experienced Trip Leaders by signing up for the Croatia Walking & Hiking Tour.

The Best Hike Near Zadar - Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park is like Disneyland for the adventurous. Inside the park's borders, you can partake in thrilling activities such as biking, rock climbing, spelunking and hiking. There are hundreds of miles of trails to choose from, ranging from treacherous ascents to peaceful riverside paths.

One hike we particularly like is the Winnetou route. It takes you through the central canyon (Velika Paklenica), which people often compare to Yosemite Valley. The trail wanders through rocky gorges and pine forests before climaxing at the summit with 360-degree views of the breathtaking scenery.

Join us on this hike on our Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour. It’s a one-of-a-kind 8-day cruise that starts in Dubrovnik and finishes in Venice. Besides hiking, you’ll also spend time biking and sea kayaking.

More of the Best Hikes in Croatia

Although we don’t visit these places on any of our Croatia Backroads trips, here are a few more great hikes you can do on your own in Croatia.

• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Mt. Dinara
• Medvednica Nature Park
• Mljet National Park
• Vidova Gora Trail