Hidden Gems of Croatia - Natural Croatia Adventure Travel

Hidden Gems of Croatia: Sea, Islands & Lakes

Custom - designed for A&T, the true adventurers! A Self-guided hiking tour

Starting from famous Dubrovnik, with stone city walls, you run away from the crowds on island Hvar. Here you stay in peaceful Stari Grad, hike to Velo Grablje, mystic old village built of stone houses! In Stari Grad, your hosts prepare a dinner in small bay Veli Dolac – your table and the sea with top Croatian delicacies! Next, you move to Zadar, and from here, you visit fantastic Dugi otok (long island) and nature park Telašćica, where you find out about salt lake incorporated in the island, and on the other side steep cliffs to the sea! There are also stunning views on National Park Kornati and cute little town Sali! In Zadar you have a walk on the scaled solar system and watch the most beautiful sunset with a play of a sea organ! Magic! Then you hike UNESCO site National Park Plitivce lakes and sleep in a city from fairitale – Ogulin. Next you hike most beautiful trail between Bijele and Samarske stijene, Vihoraški trail! On your way back to Dubrovnik, you visit fantastic UNESCO site Split, and have a rest in Tučepi, Villa Ban with famous sunset over Brač and Hvar islands, just from your terrace. Then you plan your next trip in Croatia, while leaving it from Dubrovnik!

Day 1 Dubrovnik –Stari Grad (Hvar)

Dubrovnik, by the locals called also “Grad” meaning “the City” is famous for its walls that surround the city. After a must-have walk around the walls, you can feel the city inside, walk the stone streets, drink from fountain, squeeze through tiny narrow streets or have a lunch in one of them. Find “Buža” (Eng. Small hole) bar and beach or go above the city with cable car. Rent-a-car pickup and self-driving from Dubrovnik, over ferry (Drvenik – Sućuraj) to Stari Grad on island Hvar (4h, 191km). Passing BIH border in Neum might cause some delays. Relax and walk in Stari Grad by the sea, depending on arrival time.

Driving: 191km /118 miles (4h)
Accommodation: Private apartment
All meals are self-catering.

Day 2 Stari Grad – Velo Grablje hike

Hike the beautiful trail from Stari Grad to mystic old village build from stone houses called Velo Grablje. Depending on the season, you will pass the lavender fields and enjoy the purple flowers. Enjoy the village and have lunch in local tavern.
Lunch or dinner in Stari Grad local restaurant or in secret bay visited by boat or hike outside of village.

Activity: Hiking 13km/ 8mi (5h), Climb 479m
Accommodation: Private apartment

Day 3 Stari Grad - Zadar

Relax day, take a walk near the sea, and enjoy lunch in Veli Dolac bay or in local restaurant. Then take the afternoon ferry to Split and proceed to Zadar.

Driving: 204km/126 miles (2h ferry+1:40 car)
Accommodation: Hotel in Zadar
Activity: None

Day 4 Dugi otok – NP Telašćica trail

Today start early to catch a speedboat (8:00) to Sali, Dugi otok (Long island). Boat ride goes from Zadar centre, directly to Dugi otok, between two islands Pašman and Ugljan and under the famous bridge “Ždrelac” connecting them. Small city where boat stops – Sali has its special peaceful magic. Here you will meet the transfer to Telašćica Nature park. Nature Park Telašćica has special sea-cliffs (called locally “Stene”) and salt lake “Mir” (Peace), plus extra nice view on National Park Kornati.
Keep in mind that your last boat to the mainland leaves at 7:55 PM! (B)
Driving 15km/9 miles plus sea and short transfer (2h total)
Accommodation: Hotel in Zadar
Activity: Walking 2-3h, 8km, altitude climb 305m

Day 5 Rest day/ Zadar city tour

Today is a rest day. Recommended is a walking tour near the sea to the city centre, which takes around 1h, and gives a great way to get to know the city.
Do not miss visiting “The greeting to the Sun”, “Sea organ” and the sunset from that place! Option is to take a guided city tour. (B)Accommodation: Hotel in Zadar
Activity: Zadar City tour

Day 6 Zadar–Plitvice-Ogulin

After breakfast, drive to National Park Plitvice, UNESCO protected nature site. After entering, a trail will lead you to the big waterfall, and back, and then further to the other part of the lakes where you board the boat when you are tired you catch small train to drive you back. Another 1:40 min drive will take you to magical small city Ogulin. Here enjoy the dinner in hotels restaurant, and arrange picnic packing for tomorrow all-day trekking! (B)
Driving: 149+85 km/92+52 miles (2:00h+1:40h)
Accommodation: Hotel in Ogulin
Activity: Hiking Plitvice 4-5h

Day 7 Vihoraški trail

--- guided tour day ---
After early breakfast, at 8:00 start of 50 min drive to the start of the trail. Your guide will meet you in hotel. We carry food and water (2l min) for all day. We will combine 2 cars for less walking on our way back.
Trail starts easy with 1:30 h hike to Bijele stijene (White rocks), from where first great view is shown. Then we follow wild, green and magic Vihoraški trail that takes us next 4-6h depending on our capabilities. Picnic lunch during the trekking, and snacks when we have low energy feeling. Vihoraški trail is the wildest and the most beautiful trail in Croatia. Trail goes between the rocks, through narrow passages in the rocks, and includes a lot of scrambling – climbing short distances on the rocky area.
When not on rocks, trail goes through magic green meadows and valleys with astonishing views on surrounding shining white rocks and blue sky. This is true wilderness, with a high chance to see a snake or some other wild animal. Final destination of this magic wild trek is romantic shelter located in the rock, very special and unique.
Full of experiences but tired you return to hotel for a dinner and sleep. (B)
Driving: 68km/42 miles (2:00h)
Accommodation: Hotel in Ogulin
Activity: Trekking & Scrambling: 6-8h

Day 8 Ogulin – Split - Tučepi

Early start and drive to Split (3h). Enjoy your day in Split. Do not miss a walk in Diocletian palace and coffee on Split seafront.
After a great day, head to Tučepi to find your accommodation, this will take you another 1:30h.(B)
Driving: 318km + 70km/197mi + 43mi (3h+1:30h)
Accommodation: Apartment in Tučepi
Activity: Split city tour 2-3h

Day 9 Return drive to Dubrovnik

After breakfast, when ready - start your drive back to Dubrovnik. Follow the D8 by the sea - do not take highway, and stop for a break when needed.
Driving 147km/91 miles (2:20h)
Activity: none.

Min No of persons: 2
Max No of persons: 8
Availability: from 1. May to 1. November - depending on weather conditions
Duration: 9 days
From: Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik
Type: SELF-GUIDED, SELF -DRIVING hiking/trekking tour
Activity Level: 4 – Moderate to Strenous.