Croatia walks

The Biokovo massif overlooks the Adriatic Sea, at the Makarska Riviera, and stretches for about 40 km. Only the western half of this massif constitutes the Biokovo Nature Park. Park Prirode Biokovo was created in 1981 and stretches from Brela to Podgora. The main town is Makarska. This nature reserve protects many botanical species, Dalmatian pines, mouflon and chamois, as well as birds of prey. This enormous wall starts at the seaside, sloping gently up to 3 km from the coast (the village of Bast is 350 m above sea level), then rises very abruptly to over 1,500 metres in less than a kilometre. Beyond that, the terrain is gentler, forming a fairly rugged plateau (with crevassed sharp limestone pavement, caves and chasms). The highest point is Sveti Jure (Saint George), at 1,762 metres. During these two days, you will reach the second highest peak, Sveti Ilija (Saint Elijah), to the west, and the Lokva forest house to the east.

The small forest house in Lokva owes its name to a mountaineer from Makarska. It is located on the Biokovo plateau above the villages of Veliko Brdo and Makarska. The suggested route from Promajna passes through the village of Bast. After a fairly steep climb, you will reach the Biokovo plateau. You will then enjoy an exceptional view of the islands of Brač and Hvar. In Lokva, you will be very close to Sveti Jure (Saint George), the highest point of Biokovo.

Sveti Ilija (Saint Elijah) is the second highest peak in Biokovo (1,642 metres). The village of Promajna is the ideal starting point for reaching it. The Biokovo massif is an enormous wall that rises gently from the sea to 3 km from the coast (the village of Bast is at an altitude of 350 m), then rises very abruptly to over 1,500 m in less than a kilometre.

Vidova Gora is the highest point on the Adriatic coast (780 m).Bol is a small port on the south coast of the island of Brač. If you are lucky enough to stay in this small village, a climb up to the Vidova Gora plateau is a must. This cliff offers a magnificent view of the Dalmatian coast (Makarska Massif) and the neighbouring island of Hvar. From the centre of Bol, climb the narrow streets to the main road (airport road), cross this road and head towards Podborje. From Murvica, you will reach Zlatni-Rat beach, often called Golden Cape or Golden Horn , by road, then return to Bol via the paved promenade.

It is possible to shorten the route by 7 km by driving to Veliko Rujno. The directions are not very precise. There are hiking signs along the way, but not necessarily signs indicating the desired direction. That is why it is recommended to follow the route.

A simple and very pleasant hike, best done early in the morning when it is very hot. The south-west facing section is particularly beautiful and offers stunning views, with the islands adding a unique touch to this hike through the Croatian heath.

A pleasant short round trip (2 hours in total) to watch the sunset from the highest point on the island with views of the islets and the national park. No particular difficulty. Suitable for families. On the way back, of course, night falls, but the descent (same path) remains easy. It is a little stony, so remember to swap your flip-flops for trainers at the very least!