HIKING TOUR | 8 days | from 1.020€ | Explore Croatian National Parks and discover masterpieces of nature in Inland Croatia. Fun-filled family holiday.
Croatia boasts remarkably diverse landscapes, from the magnificent natural phenomena of Plitvice Lakes and Krka Waterfalls to the awe‑inspiring and massive Velebit mountains. A wide variety of wildlife habitats — from dense forests and clear lakes to winding rivers and rugged mountain ranges — awaits your exploration.
This unique hiking tour is designed to showcase the breathtaking natural highlights of inland Croatia, including five national parks and their surrounding landscapes: Risnjak, Plitvice Lakes, Northern Velebit, Paklenica, and Krka Waterfalls.
The tour itself is an easy-to-moderate hiking tour accompanied by an experienced licensed guide.
During the tour, our stopovers will take us through the lush surroundings of the Mrežnica, Kupa, and Krka rivers, known for their many rapids and waterfalls.
When you arrive in Zagreb, we’ll pick you up from the airport or train station and take you to your accommodation in Zvečaj, a small village on the Mrežnica River in Central Croatia’s Gorski Kotar Region. The area is well-known for its lush river valleys and forests filled with beech and hornbeam trees, as well as wild mushrooms and fruits. You’ll stay at a family-run hotel that has welcomed guests for many years and offers a beautiful view of the Mrežnica River and its waterfall. The hotel sits above an old mill, which now generates electricity. Each room has a private bathroom, and most have a balcony. The hotel serves traditional Croatian specialities, including freshwater fish from its own ponds, homemade dishes, and produce from local farms. In the evening, we’ll gather on the terrace by the river for dinner and a brief introduction to the tour, where you’ll meet your guides and fellow travellers. Van ride: one hour from Zagreb airport. Accommodation: Zvečaj Hotel on the Mrežnica River. Meals: dinner.
On our first hiking day, after having breakfast, we will explore Risnjak National Park, located in Gorski Kotar – a green region in the Inland of Croatia, where the hilly terrain and forested countryside are ideal for starting our hiking tour. The Park Risnjak covers an area of 63,5 km2. Its name comes from the animal name ris, which means lynx in Croatian. We begin our hike in the village of Vilje, heading toward our destination—Veliki Risnjak (Big Risnjak), the highest peak in the range, which rises to 1,528 meters above sea level. Schlosser’s mountain hut, situated 100m below the peak of Veliki Risnjak at 1,418 m, is probably one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia. Once at the top, you can expect a great view of the peaks of Gorski Kotar, the Adriatic Sea, and the Alps. After resting, we will descend slowly back to the village of Vilje and return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Zvečaj Hotel on the Mrežnica River. Van ride: 1.5h-2h each way. Hiking: 3-4 h. Terrain: easy/moderate, well-marked paths. Meals: Breakfast (dinner on your own).
After breakfast, we’ll head to Northern Velebit National Park, a protected forest covered wilderness known for its rich biodiversity and dramatic karst landscapes. Forests cover nearly 80% of the landscape. This rugged region is home to the park’s most iconic wildlife—brown bears, wolves, and lynx—which still find a safe refuge here. Among the many hiking routes, the Premužić Trail stands out as the most famous. Built in 1933 and named after its creator, it leads through some of the park’s most stunning and diverse terrain. Numerous surrounding peaks offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, its islands, and the inland mountain ranges. From here, we drive towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the natural wonderland Plitvice Lakes National Park. Accommodation is provided in family guesthouses in Korana Village, a picturesque village on the Korana River. The houses are small and traditional with simple rooms. The locals have always lived in symbiosis with nature and the river. There is no pub, restaurant, or shop. The peaceful atmosphere makes the village an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. Accommodation: Private guesthouses in Korana Village. Van ride: 2.5 hours each way. Hiking: 4 – 5 h. Terrain: easy/moderate, well-marked paths. Meals: breakfast and dinner (packed lunch on your own).
After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore Croatia’s most stunning national park, the Plitvice Lakes. With its 16 emerald‑green travertine lakes, more than 90 cascading waterfalls, and numerous caves, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a true masterpiece of nature. Wandering through its beech and pine forests along wooden walkways and bridges suspended above crystal‑clear streams is an unforgettable experience. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by untouched nature. Later, a panoramic boat and a tourist train will take us across the lake and back toward the park’s exit. After our visit, we’ll return to the village, where the rest of the afternoon can be spent swimming in the refreshing Korana River. Accommodation: Private guesthouses in Korana Village. Van ride: 15 min each way. Hiking: easy, 4-5 h. Terrain: easy, well-marked paths. Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own).
For participants who chose a 5-day tour, this is the end of their holiday. After breakfast, you are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time (transfer to Zagreb airport is included in the price). The rest of the group continues their adventure. The motto for the fifth tour day is "free and easy", offering the participants a choice between staying active or relaxing by or in the river in front of their accommodation. Some of the options include a self‑guided cycling tour in and around Plitvice Lakes National Park, scenic walks, excursions to nearby towns of interest, as well as beach trips and general sightseeing. Accommodation: private guesthouses in Korana Village. Van ride: max. 2 hours one way. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch on your own).
After breakfast, we will leave the Korana Village and continue south to Paklenica National Park. The park is a part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a favourite hiking and climbing destination. It lies on the southeast slopes of the Velebit Mountains over the Adriatic coast. Many visitors are drawn to the striking natural features of the Velika and Mala Paklenica canyons, with their deeply carved 400‑meter cliffs and numerous caves. The surrounding peaks offer superb panoramas of coastal and mountain scenery. There are several wonderful hikes through beech and black pine forests to choose from. The most popular is the trail leading to Borisov Dom, a mountain hut popular among hikers. After descending to the sea, we drive to the romantic city of Skradin for an overnight stay. Accommodation: 3* Skradinski Buk Hotel in Skradin. Van ride: 2h+1h. Hiking: 4-5 h. Terrain: moderate, well-marked paths. Meals: Breakfast (packed lunch and dinner on your own).
On the last day of our hiking tour, we will explore the National Park Krka, known for its extraordinary waterfalls and lagoons of the Krka River. We will explore the park’s vast network of waterways and uncover its rich history, which stretches back to the late 10th century and the era of the first Croatian kings. One of the options is a visit to Skradinski Buk waterfall. A boat will take us to the small, picturesque island in the middle of the Krka River - Visovac Island, and its mystic monastery founded by the Franciscans in 1445. From here, we return to the hotel in the late afternoon. While a well-deserved dinner is being prepared, you can discover the Old Town of Skradin, the small town protected as a cultural monument. Accommodation: 3* Skradinski Buk Hotel in Skradin. Hiking: 3 hours. Terrain: easy, well-marked paths. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch on your own).
After breakfast, transfer to Split Airport and flight home. Meals: breakfast. Van ride: one hour to Split Airport.
This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecasts, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Our guides and trip leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for our clients without compromising safety at any time. This may require adjusting the original itinerary to avoid any discomfort or risk arising from exceptional circumstances. Inlandia.com reserves the right to modify the itinerary without prior notice.
Price information & additional costs:
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Tour dates 2025: |
8-day tour |
5-day tour |
Tour dates 2025: |
8-day tour |
5-day tour |
|
3 - 10 May |
1.020 € |
670 € |
14 – 21 June |
1.180 € |
730 € |
|
10 - 17 May |
1.020 € |
670 € |
28 June – 5 July |
1.180 € |
730 € |
|
17 - 24 May |
1.020 € |
670 € |
6 – 13 September |
1.020 € |
670 € |
|
7 - 14 June |
1.180 € |
730 € |
20 – 27 September |
1.020 € |
670 € |
Additional costs:
Note* Arrival and departure transfers: several group transfers between airport and destination depending on arrival/departure time.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE / Additional costs:
Remarks:
You need to bring:
Sturdy hiking shoes, sunglasses, sun cream, water, appropriate spare clothes in accordance to the weather conditions (fleece/jumper, rain gear), camera.
Please inform us in advance (at the time of your booking, by e-mail) should you require hiking poles.