Walking Holidays Croatia | Small Group Walking Tours For All Abilities

Small group walking tours to Croatia

Turquoise seas, golden-sand beaches, medieval architecture and effervescent waterfalls await your discovery in Croatia. Set off on foot and explore this fascinating country on a small group walking tour. Head to the Dalmatian Coast to immerse yourself in picture-postcard landscapes and laid back island life or head inland to explore the verdant valleys of Croatia's national parks with towering peaks and blue lakes.

But it's not all about walking. Croatian food is a key highlight of our walking holidays too. You'll find delicious fresh seafood in abundance, so tuck into some grilled sea bream or john dory to top up your energy reserves. And Game of Thrones fans will spot a few familiar settings amongst the timeworn cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik and Split, including the mysterious chambers of Red Keep, Daenerys Targaryen's throne room and the busy streets of Meereen.

Walking tours in Croatia

Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia

Croatia Walking and Trekking Trip code CO

Best Seller

8 Days From £1595 without flights

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Walking Montenegro and the Croatian Islands

Croatia, Montenegro Walking and Trekking Trip code WCM

8 Days From £1435 without flights

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Croatia's top destinations for a hiking tour

From seaside cities full of history and culture to pristine national parks laced with rivers and waterfalls, you'll find exceptional places for hiking and walking throughout Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Meander in and around 16 shimmering pools of topaz water via a maze of timber boardwalks in Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park on both our Highlights of Croatia tour and our Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia Tour. Located in central Croatia, in the lower reaches of the Dinarides Alps, this is Croatia's largest national park, as well as being one of its oldest and most popular.

Boardwalks and hiking trails offer routes through the park's lush forests, ancient limestone cliffs, and pearly-white cascading waterfalls, veiled by a haze of glistening spray and rainbow crescents. Like the looping 9.4-mile Upper and Lower Lakes Route that visits all 16 of the park's lakes. Keep an eye out for pops of pink amongst the lush-green vegetation as bright orchids rise from the fertile soils and soft puffs of smoke tree blossom smolder in the bushes.

Paklenica Gorge

Follow the flower-lined mountain trails of Paklenica Gorge in Paklenica National Park, a mountainous national park in the North Dalmatia region along the coast, during our Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia Tour. Cut through by deep canyons with sunbleached karst cliffs and inky forest-filled valleys, hikes here consist of zig-zagging routes up craggy hillsides to epic summit viewpoints.

One of the most popular is the 6.8-mile Velika Paklenica Canyon route, which leads to a beautiful summit view over the canyon. Head through deserted villages and broadleaf forests scented with wild thyme and sage, ascending the trails to take in dramatic views of the smooth limestone cliffs plunging into the depths of the gorge. Thanks to its location right on the coast, some trails end right at the seaside, giving you a chance to cool off and refresh yourself with a dip in the sea at the end of your hike.

Dalmatian Coast and Islands

Head to Croatia's Adriatic coastline to visit magnificent islands lapped by azure-blue waters on a Croatian Islands walking tour. Mljet, known as the 'green island' is the most verdant. Hike through its leafy forests in search of vast saltwater lakes and visit a 12th-century Benedictine Monastery in the middle of Lake Veliko Jezero.

A walk on Korcula island will take you past rows of flourishing vineyards, and to the romantic narrow streets of Korcula's Old Town, peppered with boutique bars and restaurants.

Krka National Park

Located in southern Croatia, Krka National Park is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and pristine natural beauty, but it also offers fantastic hiking opportunities. Trails meander through lush forests, along the banks of the emerald-green Krka River, and provide stunning viewpoints of the park's magnificent waterfalls.

The most popular hiking route leads visitors from the park's entrance to the iconic Skradinski Buk waterfall, where they can marvel at the powerful cascades and take refreshing dips in the crystal-clear pools. Spend a day appreciating these spectacular landscapes yourself on our Dubrovnik to Lake Bled tour.

Best Croatia urban walking destinations

With their labyrinthine streets, fairytale architecture, and scenic viewpoints overlooking oceans, beaches, and meandering coastlines, the historic cities along Croatia's Adriatic Coast also make for excellent hiking and walking destinations.

Dubrovnik

Widely known as the 'pearl of the Adriatic' the medieval town of Dubrovnik retains a welcoming atmosphere and authentic charm following its decimation during the Siege of Dubrovnik. Lovingly restored by the local people and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fortified town boasts plenty of pretty alleyways to explore. A walk along its timeworn stone walls will reveal far-reaching views across a blanket of red terracotta roofs and the azure-blue ocean beyond.

If you want to get a bird's-eye-view of the city, follow the short 3-mile out-and-back Mount Syrd hike to the top of Mount Syrd for an epic view across the historic city center and coastline.

Split

Wander through a maze of narrow cobblestone streets in the picturesque city of Split. Go in search of pre-Romanesque churches, Gothic chapels, and rustic townhouses, delve into hidden galleries, and browse eclectic boutiques. Stop for a bite to eat in a hole-in-the-wall cafe or head to the Riva Promenade to savour fresh seafood before relaxing on a golden sand beach and playing a game of Picigin with the locals.

Frequently asked questions about our walking tours in Croatia

What should I pack for a Croatian hiking trip?

Bringing the right gear is essential to having a safe and comfortable time hiking in Croatia. Here's a general list of what you should pack for your hiking tour:

• Comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes. Make sure to break them in prior to arriving in Croatia.
• Moisture-wicking socks
• Comfortable hiking clothing (breathable and lightweight pants or shorts, shirts, etc.)
• Layers for cooler morning and evening hikes (jackets/fleeces/hats)
• Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Cold weather gear (for visiting inland/northern Croatia in autumn/winter)
• Beach wear (swimsuits, beach shoes, etc.) for Adriatic Sea itineraries

What's the best time of year to go hiking in Croatia?

Boasting a warm Mediterranean climate, Croatia can be a year-round destination for hiking. But each season has different benefits. In the balmy summer months, the sun-drenched islands, beaches, and bays along the Dalmatian Coast beckon for island-hopping hikes and traversing coastal trails. However, as it is the summer high season, popular trails and tourist attractions will be more crowded. Soaring temperatures and long, hot days are another factor to consider about summertime hiking.

In general, the best time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in Croatia is during spring and autumn. Not only will trails and major cities be quieter and less crowded, but temperatures will also be more pleasant. But be prepared for occasional short bursts of rain during these times.

You can even go hiking in Croatia in wintertime. During the winter months, the northern parts of the country can get colder, with snow falling at higher elevations, but the coastline remains pleasant.

How difficult are your Croatian hiking tours?

Our walking trips to Croatia are graded easy-moderate or moderate. Our Walking Montenegro and the Croatian Islands trip is easy-going with 2.5 to 5 hours of walking each day on well-defined paths and at low altitudes. Our Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia tour is a bit more challenging with about five hours of walking each day, so a good level of fitness is required. There may also be some rocky ascents and descents to negotiate.

Do I need to train to go on a hiking trip to Croatia?

As most day hikes on our Croatia hiking tours range from early to moderate difficulty, you don't need to train to prepare for your trip. As long as you are in good physical health and exercise regularly, you should have the physical fitness and stamina for most hikes. If you want to prepare for your trip, going on short day hikes for a few months before your trip will help boost your stamina.

Where do you stay during Croatia walking tours?

In between day hikes and walks around Croatia, you'll spend most nights in small, independent, and family-run hotels. Offering a warm welcome with great service and comfortable accommodations, these simple but pleasant guest houses are a great way to experience a family atmosphere and learn more about the local culture.

Are your Croatia walking tours suitable for solo travelers?

All of our small group walking tours to Croatia are ideal for, and popular with, solo travelers. Walk with like-minded people as you uncover all of the spectacular sights of Croatia on our walking trips. Many of our customers join us as solo travelers so you'll be in good company and likely to make new friends en-route.