Visit Croatia (part 2) - Where to go hiking in Croatia? Let's start with Biokovo.

Almost in every part of Croatia you will find small mountain huts. Places of untouched nature and great natural beauty, places for recreation, rest and enjoyment, learning and romantic walks. Take a short walk to the Croatian mountains and find out where the mountain hail of the Croatian ...

The hikers have marked about 6000 km of hiking trails on all Croatian mountains. Because of the proximity of Zagreb the most popular and hiking trails are Medvednica and Samoborsko gorje. In the wider region of Zagreb, mountain climbing was also developed in Zumberak Mountain and in the mountains of Croatian Zagorje - Kalnik, Ivanščica, Ravna Gorica, Strahinjščica and Kostelsk gorje. Papuk is the most attractive from Slavonian mountains. Papuk is the most attractive from Slavonian mountains.

Gorski kotar is a spacious mountain area with many mountain destinations and a transitional area between the Alps and the Dinarides. Much of Gorski Kotar occupies Velika Kapela with some of the most attractive hiking destinations: White and Samara Rocks, Bjelolasica and Klek. In the western and northern parts of Gorski Kotar are Risnjak, Tuhobić, Bitoraj and Viševica. In the western and northern parts of Gorski Kotar are Risnjak, Tuhobić, Bitoraj and Viševica.

Along the sea are the highest and most beautiful mountains, offering the most beautiful views - Učka and Ćićarija in Istria, Obruč and Snježnik in the Croatian Littoral, Velebit, and the mountains of Dalmatia - Kozjak, Mosor, Omis Dinara, Biokovo. Something further from the sea is Silva, Promina, Kamešnica and Dinara. Due to the size, beauty and richness of interest, a special place among the Croatian mountains is occupied by Velebit. Velebit is also the longest Croatian mountain (140km).

I will try do write something about some specific hiking trails that i like the most, so lets start:

Biokovo
A mountain with roots in the sea and head in the clouds

The giant mountain range of the Dinarides is nowhere else so close to the sea, creating an exhilarating and impressive image, as it is in the littoral zone of Makarska. The view from the sea of a massive wall of Biokovo with its cliffs, grooves, fissures and towers is the main feature of this part of the Adriatic and an unavoidable picture on all postcards from Makarska Riviera. Nothing less impressive is the view from Biokovo’s peaks and steep rocks, stretching onto the blue sea and narrow coastal green belt deep below the slopes.

The vegetation on Biokovo can be best explored by visiting the botanical garden Kotišina, which is located on the littoral slopes of the mountain, at an above-sea-level of 350 to 500 meters. It is only 3 kilometres away from Makarska and can be reached by car or on foot from the centre of Makarska in about 45 minutes of Nordic walking.

I will copy description from https://www.croatia.hr

The central part of Biokovo is the highest and most attractive to excursionists because there is a fully paved road leading to the highest peak of Sv. Jure (St George). However, there are many other mountain trails to that point and two

1. The northwest part of this mountain range consists of peaks Šćirovac (1619 m), Sveti Ilija (1642 m), Šibenik (1467 m), Sveti Jure (1762 m), Vošac (1421 m) and Kimet (1556 m). Landscapely, this area is a karsted woodcut with forests only in the garden, so it can be hurtful in the summer months for hiking, primarily due to lack of water. Almost all Peaks of Biokovo are difficult to access, demanding, time-consuming, and virtually lacking in water supply in the mountains. No climb to these peaks should be underestimated. In the summer months carry with you 4 to 5 liters of water.

2. The south-eastern part of this mountain chain is still called Rilić, and it is made up of tops of Sutvid (1155 m), Sokolić (788 m) and Sveti Ilija (773 m). The basic feature of these three tops is to have built paths almost to the very tip. In the past, these paths have gone the trade routes towards the hinterland. In the summer months, climb to these peaks do not underestimate and carry with you enough water. All the upsides are almost entirely knocked out with a sparse or small machine that can not provide sun protection.

3. Zabiokovlje basically consists of the Matokit mountain with the highest peak Sveti Rok (1062 m)

The peak of St. Elijah and its ridge is located northwest of the central part of Biokovo, above the hamlet of Rastovac in the municipality of Zagvozd. The top name and altitude are written on the stone in front of the entrance to the chapel, and the stamp is embedded in the right wall of the chapel.

Although the ridge is somewhat lower, the rocky scenery and the width of the view do not lag behind anything for the group of St. Jure, the visions are even more attractive due to the fact that Biokovo's mourning offers a wonderful view of both sides, both on the north and the south.

Beside the shore and the glaciers, from the very top (KT18) is also an outstanding view of the entire central mass of Biokovo starting from St.Jur to the east across the Great Sibenik, situated somewhere south to Šćivice and Bukovac on the western part of the mountain.

The chapel dedicated to St. Ilija Gromovnik is at the very top, and is one of the most beautiful and prominent sacral objects on Biokovo, an indigenous building built on ancient foundations and completely renovated by the inhabitants of Zagvozd parish in 2000.

Misno celebration in the chapel of Sv. Elijah ('the most primitive' Holy Mass in Croats) will be held on July 20th at the feast of St. Or if it falls on Saturday, and if not, the pilgrimage moves on the first Saturday of that day.

The top can be from several directions, from the southern side of Basta (two different variants) and through Lokve, while on the north side there are several directions, and the most popular is one that leads from Dedicus via Dobrog dola. Other directions like the one from Šuta preko Vrataca or from Brzica via Kaoca are extremely long and demanding and are suitable only for experienced mountaineers in good physical condition.

Regardless of which direction you choose, the climb will be extremely long, hard and heavy due to large sips and exposure to the sun. Here are the time frames for the most popular ascending directions: Bast - Bunar Mijaci - Sveti Ilija 4 h; Bast - Osičine - Sv. Ilija 4.30 h; Lokva - Motika - Sv. Ilija 4 h; Dedići - Dobri dol - Sv. Ilija 4 h; Šute - Vratača - Sv. Ilija 4:30 h; Brzice - Drljenovac - Opinions - Sv. Ilija 6:30 h and more can be found on the site of the local mountain hunting association. (Wikipedia)