Hiking Croatia's Coast & Canyons from Zagreb

On day 1 upon arrival in Zagreb and transfer to your hotel there will be a brief orientation meeting with our guide and start of our adventure with a walking tour of Zagreb old town followed by a dinner. As the political, economic and cultural capital of Croatia with 770,000 inhabitants, the city throbs with energy but has retained a good deal of old-world graciousness. The sober Austro-Hungarian buildings in the town center house elegant restaurants and fashionable boutiques. The Lotrscak Tower was built in the middle of the 13th century in order to protect the southern city gate. For the last hundred years a cannon has been fired every day at noon commemorating an event from Zagreb's history. The tower may be climbed for a sweeping 360-degree view of the city. Near the tower is a funicular railway, which was constructed in 1888, and connects the Lower and Upper Towns. Maksimir Park is a peaceful wooded enclave covering 18 hectares opened to the public in 1794. It is the oldest public cultivated park in Europe with alleys, lawns and artificial lakes. We visit the Zagreb Cathedral, whose twin spires soar over the city. The sacristy still contains a cycle of frescoes that date from the second half of the 13th century. The side altar features a triptych by Albrecht Dürer. Our walk through the old town takes us to colorful St. Mark’s Church, with its unique tiled roof constructed in 1880. The tiles on the left side depict the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia, while the emblem of Zagreb is on the right side. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Zagreb. On day 2, we drive through the highlands of Croatia to one of the most magnificent natural sites in Europe, the Plitvice Lakes. Here sixteen lakes cascade from one to another in a series of waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, the region is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. We wander the paths and wooden boardwalks which follow the succession of lakes and waterfalls where streams burst out of the rocks. Overnight at the hotel in Plitvice area. On day 3 we travel by vehicle from Plitvice to the Zavizan mountain refuge high in the Velebit Mountains. Near the refuge is a small botanical garden (botanički vrt) where you can observe a number of indigenous and endemic plant species before setting off on a hike along the scenic and superbly engineered Premužić Trail (Premužićeva staza). You’ll be hiking through the core of Croatia’s North Velebit National Park (Nacionalni park Sjeverni Velebit) on your way to the Alan mountain refuge where today’s hike ends. The trail winds through the limestone high country of the Velebit Mountains full of domed peaks, craggy pinnacles, and sinkholes—all characteristic features of karstic landscapes. Drive to Starigrad-Paklenica for overnight stay. On day 4, today's hikes take you into the spectacular limestone Paklenica Gorge which constitutes the core of the Paklenica National Park (Nacionalni park Paklenica). As you hike up the gorge of the Velika Paklenica, the canyon walls rise abruptly on either side. You'll pass the remains of several old water mills that are today preserved as cultural monuments by the national park authorities. Visit the Manita cave reached by a switchbacking trail that ascends the western wall of the gorge. We will spend the night in rural house in small villge Ramići. Our host will prepare delicious homemade dinner. On day 5, after breakfast we proceed hiking to Veliko Rujno, is large grassy plateau elongated between Bojinac and the ridge of Višerujna. In the middle of Veliko Rujno is a chapel of Our Lady of Rujno, and next to it there is the cistern with drinking water. Feast day in the chapel is on the holiday of Assumption of Mary on August 15th. The pilgrimage traditionally organized for this occasion is in the same time the main Croatian mountaineers' pilgrimage. Short transfer to Starigrad Paklenica. Rest of the day for relaxing on the beach and swimming. Overnight at the hotel in Starigrad-Paklenica. On day 6, we visit one of Croatia’s prettiest rivers, the tiny Krupa. Located just under the steep slopes of Velebit, this beautiful river stretches from the lovely spring all the way through a deep canyon where it meets Zrmanja – another beautiful karst river. Arriving to Golubic village we visit a local sheep and goat farm. After tasting local cheese and drinks we take a short walk down the hill to Kudin most – or The Bridge of Kuda – which is one of the nicest places in the hinterland of Zadar. Actually, the place is call Deveterci for the 9 small cascades that make the place so magical. Kudin bridge has been built at the turn of the 18th to 19th century. Legend says that a young guy called Kuda wanted to be closer to his loved one at the other bank of the river. So he built the bridge from 12 arches out of travertine blocks, and just as many pillars. The last two arches are now damaged but Kudin bridge still stands despite time and high waters in the winter. Drive to Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia. The marble, traffic-free streets follow the old Roman street plan and still contain some Roman ruins and several medieval churches. Massive 16th-century fortifications still shield the city on the landward side, with high walls running along the harbor. Zadar was part of Italy until 1947, and, though fast diminishing, one still finds Italian influence. We also see the Roman Forum which was constructed between the 1st Century BC and the 3rd Century AD, and the circular 9th Century Church of St Donat, one of the most outstanding monuments in Dalmatia. The sarcophagus of St. Simeon is a masterpiece of medieval goldsmith work. Commissioned in 1377, the coffin is made of cedar and covered inside and out with finely executed gold-plated silver reliefs. Dinner on your own, guide will help with suggestion. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Zadar. On day 7, after breakfast, we drive from Zadar to national park Krk the most beautiful karstic river in Croatia, which occupies the area between Knin and Skradin; deep canyons are carved in limestone plateaus. First we hike among many waterfalls, up to Skradinski Buk, then we take a boat to waterfall Roski Slap; between these two wonderful waterfalls located in Visovac Lake and the Franciscan monastery, which is located in the point where river enters the lake. From Roški slap we hike up to Ožiđana pećina and then to Stinice. Drive to Split where we will spend our last night of Croatian hiking tour. After check in to hotel we take a walking tour of old town. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Split. On day 8, after breakfast there is group transfer to Split airport.