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7 Day itinerary in Croatia, Europe

Croatia National Parks and Premuzic trail trekking tour

This tour is designed for experienced trekkers looking to explore exciting new places. You will overnight in two national parks, hike the well-known trails on Velebit Mountain, and enjoy the preserved nature and the views from the most beautiful summits of Croatia. The trails you will pass through ... Read More

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Tina

By Tina

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Demanding
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

Tour Leader, Tour Guide

starting point

Veliki Zavižan

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Outdoors & Nature

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Challenging hikes on Via Dinarica trails of Velebit mountain with expert guidance

2

Breath-taking views at various vantage points on Velebit mountain

3

Walking the legendary drystone Premuzic trail

4

Staying at mountain huts and lodges

Itinerary

Mid-Range ($$) expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival to Northern Velebit National Park / Zavizan mountain hut

Arrive to Croatia. Stop at one of the supermarkets for food supplies. Optional transfer to the mountain hut Zavizan where you will meet the guide and the rest of the group. To get to know the area better, accompanied by our mountain guide, you will climb to one of the Zavizan area peaks. The scenic vistas from this group of peaks are impressive and it will look like you have the Kvarner bay on the palm of your hand. After dinner, you’ll go through the program together with the guide, and you will receive all the information about the following days.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Hrvatski planinarski savez - Planinarski dom Zavižan
Day 2

place Hiking the Premuzic Trail (part one)

After breakfast, you will embark on the first hiking stage and join the well-known Premuzic Trail, built in the 1930s using the drystone technique. The 57 km trail was laid out and constructed by the forestry engineer Ante Premuzic, a passionate mountaineer and lover of Velebit. There are virtually no steep ascents, so today's route is also suitable for visitors unaccustomed to mountaineering. Branching off from the Premuzic Trail are several paths that climb up to some of the most spectacular peaks of northern and central Velebit. The route section between Zavizan and mountain hut Alan is perhaps the most beautiful part of the trail.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Planinarska kuća Alan
Day 3

place Hiking the Premuzic Trail (part two)

The second part of the trail that leads from Alan Mountain hut to the mountain refuge Skorpovac is approx. 20 km long, takes around 7 hours to complete and is categorised as a mid-difficult stage. The trail will take you along the maritime slope at equal elevation, interchanging forests and meadows. You will encounter great viewing points and views to be long remembered. Once you reach Skorpovac, the hut's custodian will give you a ride to the mountain hut Kuga’s house (Kugina kuca), which used to be a forest ranger's cabin in central Velebit. You will have cooked dinner there and overnight. The following day after breakfast, the custodian of Kuga’s house will drive you back to the Skorpovac refuge, where you will continue your hike.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Planinarska kuća Kugina kuća
Day 4

place Hiking Premuzic trail (part three)

Waking up at Kuga's house, group breakfast and then a 15-minute transfer by SUV to the Skorpovac shelter. Don't forget to stretch before hitting the trail today; multi-day hiking requires warming up before departure and light stretching after arrival. The final section of the Premuzic trail is 15 km long, and it is a moderately challenging route; it takes an average of 4 hours to complete. Arrive at Baske Ostarije, dinner, and overnight stay at the hostel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Hostel Baske Ostarije
Day 5

place Arrival to Paklenica National Park

After three stages of quite a tempo, it's time to slow down and prepare for the remaining part of your trip. A driver will take you to Starigrad. Weather permitting, relax at the beach you still have the fourth stage, which is 6 km long. Today's location is more effortless and goes through the wonderful National Park Paklenica. In this area, you will see the parts of Big (Velika) and Small (Mala) Paklenica. These two ravines result from Velebit's rivers piercing through stone, at some points more than 300m (984ft) high. Due to its geological uniqueness and monolithic rocks, Paklenica has become one of the most well-known climbing destinations. Passing through here, you might see sport climbing enthusiasts taking advantage of the moderate climate and protected wil-derness. After a few hours, you will reach the Paklenica mountain lodge. Spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Paklenica Hut
Day 6

place Hiking the Paklenica National Park

Start the fifth stage with a hearty breakfast and morning body stretching, as the most exciting leg of the journey is ahead of you. This is a circular tour that ends again at the mountain lodge Paklenica. The first part of the route goes through the forests of mostly beech wood, and the trail is moderately uphill but not strenuous. The second part, however, is steeper and goes up and down a couple of times, but the reward is well worth it. At its 1265m (5331 ft) altitude, Veliki Golic peak opens the view toward the sea and over-looks the Paklenica National Park. Take some time here to enjoy the view before going back. From the summit, you will head back towards the mountain lodge Paklenica for the last over-night on the mountain.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Dormitory: Paklenica Hut
Day 7

place Departure

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the mountain. We hope this hiking trip will give you so much to remember and encourage you to explore other parts of the Via Dinarica.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hrvatski planinarski savez - Planinarski dom Zavižan
  • Planinarska kuća Alan
  • Planinarska kuća Kugina kuća
  • Hostel Baske Ostarije
  • Paklenica Hut

Meals expand_less

  • Dinner (6)
  • Breakfast (6)

Transport expand_less

  • from Paklenica National Park to Starigrad Paklenica
  • from Baške Oštarije to Paklenica National Park via Starigrad Paklenica

Activities expand_less

  • Experienced and qualified mountain guide services from the first to the last day

Extras expand_less

  • Entrance to National Park Northern Velebit
  • Entrance to National Park Paklenica
  • Tourist tax and VAT

Not Included expand_less

  • Transfer to MH Zavižan on the first day - available on request
  • Transfer from Starigrad Paklenica - available on request
  • Meals and services other than those specified in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities (tips are always appreciated but not mandatory)

About Tina

TEAM LEAD

verified Baboo Certified

Expertise: 

Cycling

Hiking

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Historic & cultural landmarks

Kayaking

Outdoors & Nature

Food & Drink

Beach & Sea

My love for nature and animals is growing every day, and caring for the environment has become an essential item of my nature trips. The simplicity of life is the key to his quality and overall happiness. I want to share that with my clients.

Travel that Makes a Difference

By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.

Let’s regenerate the planet together

We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.

Learn more
FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$755.00 USD