Top 5 Outdoor Adventures to Consider the Next Time You Visit Croatia

Croatia is a nature lover’s paradise and outdoor adventures abound! The country is home to diverse flora and fauna, and its landscape is abundant in ecotourism spots that would excite the most adventurous travelers. If you’re vacationing here any time soon, you’re probably reading this guide because you’re looking for outdoor activities in Croatia that you can do. Well, here are the top five outdoor adventures to consider the next time you visit….

1. Hiking

Croatia is more popular for its gorgeous coastlines overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Most people who visit the country spend a day close to the water to go swimming, diving, and island hopping. But Croatia also has a mountainous landscape with peaks that are yours to hike. If you want to explore this side of Croatia, here’s a list of where you can find some of the best hiking trails in the country:

Risnjak National Park

Snowcaps, luscious forests, and blue lakes – Risnjak National Park has them all. It is located in the most mountainous and heavily forested region in Croatia, Gorski kotar, about fifteen kilometers from the coastline. There are a lot of paths and trails inside Risnjak National Park, but most hikers are interested in reaching the peak of Velik Risnjak.

Ucka Mountain

Ucka is a mountain range behind the Opatija Riviera in northwestern Croatia. There are a lot of hiking tours that you can join when you visit Ucka. Usually, they start from Poklon and end at Lovran, with a stop at the summit (Vojak) where you will have a panoramic view of Kvarner bay and the surrounding coastal towns.

Vidova Gora

Perhaps the most popular spot for hikers in all of Croatia, Vidova Gora is the highest peak on the island of Brac and all of the Adriatic islands at 2,280 feet. When you reach the summit, you’ll have a panoramic view of the islands in the Adriatic Sea. For those who don’t like to hike, you can still enjoy this amazing view as Vidova Gora is accessible by car.

2. Rafting and Kayaking

White water rafting and kayaking are two other popular outdoor activities that tourists enjoy. Here are some of the best spots to go rafting and kayaking in Croatia:

Cetina River

Cetina River is a 101 kilometer-long body of water located in southern Croatia. The rapids descend from the river’s source and into the Adriatic Sea at an elevation of 385 meters. There are different levels of rafting difficulty in the river, so even if you’re relatively inexperienced, you can still participate in this exciting adventure.

Korana River

Korana River lies between Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Both locals and tourists love to go here during the summer to swim, but it’s also known as a great spot for kayaking and rafting. It’s a long body of water, too, measuring a total length of 138.6 kilometers. You might want to spend an entire day swimming, rafting, or kayaking at Korana River if you ever decide to visit.

Mreznica River

Located in the Karlovac County, Croatia, Mreznica River is home to a total of 93 waterfalls that white water rafters, kayakers, and adventure-seekers love. Surrounded by luscious forests on either banks, this 63-kilometer-long river will take you on a thrilling water expedition.

3. Surfing

If you want to go surfing during your visit, nothing beats Golden Horn in Brac Island. This beautiful white sand beach is the meeting point of surfers from all over the world before they head out into the water to chase the waves. Aside from Golden Horn in Brac Island, you can also head to Bacina, a coastal village in the Ploce municipality or Viganj, a resort town in Southern Dalmatia.

4. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Croatia lies right beside the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. This body of water is home to a rich and diverse marine life, which makes scuba diving and snorkeling all the more interesting while you’re in Croatia. The best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling include the towns of Kornati and Brela as well as the island of Korcula.

5. Island Hopping

Last but certainly not the least on this list is island hopping, one of the best outdoor activities that you can do when you visit Croatia. From Split, there are a bunch of islands to take your boat to. The most popular are Solta, Hvar, Brac, Korcula, and Vis. While you’re in these islands, you can go hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and surfing so you can experience more than just island hopping.

Hiking, rafting and kayaking, surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling, island hopping –these are the best outdoor adventures that you can partake in when you visit Croatia. Aside from its gorgeous natural spots, don’t forget to also appreciate the country’s rich history and culture to get a well-rounded experience from your vacation.

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