Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

260  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Hiking National Park, 40 km (19 miles)
Croatia is criss-crossed with northeast of Zadar; Mt Ilija
countless hiking paths and above Orebić for superb
trekking trails – marked by a mountain coastal scenery;
white dot within a red circle the fortified hill-towns of
painted onto a tree or rock. the Istrian interior; Samobor
Contact the Croatian and the Risnjak National Park
Mountaineering Association in central Croatia and the
(HPS) for information about the Zagorje Castles district in
many local walking clubs, maps the northern counties.
and the national whereabouts
of mountain huts for simple Free Climbing
overnight accommodation.
The best time of year for hiking As with hiking, climbing is
is between April and October. also best pursued from April
However, be aware that the to October – after which there’s
removal of unexploded mines the prospect of a sudden
is still taking place in the snowfall or being blasted by
conflict zones of the 1991–95 the bura, a strong cold wind
war, so don’t wander off from the northeast. Croats
established trails. See the may not be thought of as
Croatian Mine Action Centre Alpinists but they have scaled
website (www.hcr.hr) for the Himalayas many times, Abseiling down a rock face in summer
specific information. have their own Croatian
Top trails would have to Mountaineering Association and the beach as well, consider
include the Premužić ridge plenty of home mountain heading for the peaks on
path, heading for 50 km ranges in which to practice the islands of Brač, Vis, Mljet,
(31 miles) at around 914 m their sport. Again, the Paklenica Krk, Hvar, Cres and Lošinj plus
(3,000 ft) through the Velebit National Park is popular, having those on the peninsulars of
massif, a short distance east more than 400 climbing routes both Istria and Pelješac.
of the central Dalmatian coast, to choose from. Cetina Valley
and offering breathtaking views near Omiš in central Dalmatia Cycling
both into continental Croatia is another prime destination
and way out to sea; the gorges for climbers. Should you want Cyclists, like hikers, get the
and beech forests of Paklenica to climb and spend time at full benefit of the outdoor
fragrances, riotous bird-song
and chance encounters with
the locals that their sport brings.
Regional tourist boards in Croatia
have worked hard to promote a
sensible series of designated
bike routes. The national parks
and nature reserves lead the
way with clearly marked bike
trails taking you in a circular tour
back to where you began. The
Plitvice Lakes provide scenic
cycling at its European best.
Similarly circuitous routes exist
on the islands of Rab, Hvar and
Mljet where out-of-the way
beaches and restaurants come
into the picture, too. Istria
tourist board has also been
prominent in looking after
cyclists by running rural trails
out of and back into Rovinj,
Labin and Novigrad. You can
find more details at www.istra.
hr. Hiring bikes can be the best
way to get around the island
and find secluded bays. Expect
to pay around 10–15 euros a
Rock climbers on the famous Anica Luka rock at Paklenica National Park day for bike hire.

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