Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
HAVE AN ADVENTURE
Croatia’s varied landscapes lend themselves to a wide range of activities and adventures. In a country filled with rivers and canyons, kayakers, canoeists and whitewater rafters will find themselves in the middle of a huge adventure playground.
In the hinterland region of Lika, you can kayak or canoe along the Zrmanja River. But once the river enters one of its six canyons, that’s your cue to go whitewater rafting, especially along the 11km route from Kaštel Žegarski. Further north, towards Karlovac, is the Mrežnica River, another karst waterway whose waterfalls, travertine barriers and tufa pools guarantee an exciting journey in a kayak or raft.
Hikers who want to get under the skin of Croatia on foot can attempt any of the sections of the 2,200km-long Croatian Long Distance Trail. Starting in the easternmost Slavonian town of Ilok, it follows Croatia’s crescent shape to the north and into Istria, then weaves along the Dalmatian coast and inland until it hits the Montenegrin border. Parts of the route have been incorporated into the 1,100km Via Adriatica, which runs all the way from from Istria’s southern Cape Kamenjak to the border with Montenegro.
Both hiking routes take you to the Dalmatian town of Omiš, which is bisected by the Cetina River and is worth a longer stop. Not only can you kayak within the Cetina gorge, but wilder thrills await on the zipline that whooshes you across the Cetina canyon. It’s not far from Biokovo Nature Park, whose network of hiking and cycling trails take you
to Croatia’s second-highest peak of Sveti Jure (1,762m).
These limestone landscapes hide even more wonders once you go underground. Deep within the southern Velebit mountains are the Cerovac Caves, Croatia’s largest cave complex. Between its various channels you have nearly a mile of dramatic rock formations to explore.
Sustainable experiences
When Croatia joined the Schengen area in 2023, that meant unfettered travel between its fellow Schengen neighbours. Keen cyclists who wish to try the Eurovélo 8 route, which runs from Cadíz in Spain to Athens in Greece, will find open borders as they cross from Italy and Slovenia into Istria. For 1,116km, the route passes eight UNESCO sites, three national parks, four nature parks and seven rivers, as you explore some 20 stages that range from 40km to 100km each. For much of the route you’ll have beautiful views of the Adriatic to spur you on.
There’s very different scenery in store when you follow the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail through Croatia’s portion of the five-country UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Crisscrossing the Drava, Mura and Danube rivers, you’ll have vast expanses of bird-rich wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife for company.
If you’re visiting North Velebit National Park, you’ll be a short drive from one of Croatia’s most intriguing sights. The Bear Refuge near the small village of Kuterevo has been taking in orphaned brown bears since 2002, keeping them in huge enclosures that mimic the wild. Here the bears live out their days looked after by a team of volunteers – from a safe distance, of course. Visit on a cool day and you’ll see the bears moving about; hot days send them into the cool of the shade.
You’re also within driving distance of Grabovača Cave Park, a huge network of underground caves surrounded by educational trails and a protected biodiverse landscape. The largest cave, Samograd, is the only one open to the public – look out for bats as you carefully make your way up and down the rocky steps. From Grabovača you can rent kayaks for a paddle along the Lika River that borders the cave park.