Famous for its ancient coastal cities and gorgeous beaches, Croatia is also home to some of the world’s most picturesque hiking trails. So, if you and your partner are avid hikers, Croatia is the perfect place to visit. You’ll find trails leading to the coast, mountains, forests, and islands while passing along magnificent beaches and coves. Below, check out some of the most romantic hikes for couples in Croatia.
Medvednica Nature Park
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One of the best places to enjoy a romantic hike in Croatia is Medvednica Nature Park, a lovely park less than an hour north of Zagreb. It offers many picturesque hiking opportunities, with several well-marked routes taking you to heavily wooded mountains with spectacular nature views.
If you prefer easy and relaxing hikes, take the Leustekov trail, which is also one of the most popular hiking routes in the park. It takes you to Sljeme, at the top of the Medvednica mountain. There are several scenic stops along the way, such as an old hut called Runolist, where you can enjoy the most panoramic views of Zagreb. It’s also a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy refreshments before you continue with your hike.
Another trail you can take in Medvednica Nature Park is towards the mountain huts of Hunjka and Puntijarka. If you prefer a shorter hike, you can take the Bikčevićeva path, which begins at the entrance to Bliznec park. While it’s a short trail, it is steeper and more rigorous. Make sure you wear comfy hiking shoes and bring enough water to keep you hydrated.
Velebit Hiking Trail
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The Velebit hiking trail is one of Croatia’s most popular hiking trails. It lies in Velebit mountain, part of the Dinaride mountain range. Featuring some of Croatia’s richest natural landscapes, Velebit is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy a romantic hike.
The Velebit hiking trail is a steep trail taking you to the top of the mountain featuring some of Croatia’s most fascinating landscape views. It begins in Zavižan and is around 100 kilometres in total. The shortest approaches are from Krasno and Oltari, which would take only about three to four hours. Some hikers will divide the journey into two parts, taking a break at Baške Oštarije. The paths have red and white markings, and the final part of the trail is at Starigrad Paklenica.
The journey to the top of the mountain takes around nine days of walking. In most cases, the trek is divided into nine parts of equal length. Aside from the Velebit hiking trail, there are other marked trails within the mountain range and several other shorter paths. But the most scenic part of the hike is in the area between Zavižan and Alan.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Source: earthtrekkers.com
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most beautiful parks and one of the world’s most romantic places to hike. Many visitors choose to visit here as part of a luxury honeymoon in Croatia due to its stunning scenery and beauty at every twist and turn. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning natural wonder, home to numerous crystal-clear lakes and majestic waterfalls. To explore the park, you can choose from any of the eight hiking routes, with the shortest taking around three hours.
The most recommended hiking trails in the Plitvice National Park are the trails from Entrance 1. Trail A is about 3.5 kilometres long and takes up to three hours. You’ll have to take a ferry and tram ride since it goes to the lower lakes. Meanwhile, Trail B is around 4 kilometres long and will take up to four hours. Like Trail A, this trail requires a ferry and tram ride. It takes you to the lower lakes on a ferry, and you can take the tram to return to Entrance 1.
If you don’t mind taking a much longer hike, opt for Trail C, which takes you to almost all the lakes in the park. The route is about 8 kilometres long and can take up to six hours to conquer. You will be hiking through all the lower lakes, then take the ferry across Lake Kozjak to get to the upper lakes. What’s great about this trail is that it takes you to the edges of lakes Prošćansko Jezero and Ciginovac, two of the highest lakes in the Plitvice.
Mount Srd
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When it comes to the list of the most romantic hikes in Croatia, the trail that goes to the top of Mount Srd often tops the list, and it’s easy to see why. It opens to the most breathtaking views over Dubrovnik and is even more romantic at sunset. What’s more, it’s an easy path to take, suitable for all levels of hikers.
There are two trails to Mount Srd, starting from the Old Town of Dubrovnik. The main one is a switchback trail, crisscrossing to the top of the mountain, while the second route requires a slow incline starting from the south. To reach the trailhead, walk about 1 kilometre from the Pile Gate of the Old City. You can also take the cab to the trailhead if you don’t want to walk.
The path to Mount Srd is wide and well-maintained. It’s easy to follow and should be easy for most people. After about 10 minutes of walking, you will be rewarded with the most impressive views of the Old City. As you get further to the top, you’ll enjoy even better views of Dubrovnik, including the vast Adriatic Sea and Lokrum Island.
Vidova Gora
Source: earthtrekkers.com
Vidova Gora is Brac Island’s tallest peak and a popular hiking spot in Croatia. For couples who can manage to climb uphill for several hours, the Vidova Gora is a great place to enjoy a romantic hike.
The hike to Vidova Gora starts in the small village of Bol. It’s about 3.5 miles long and takes around four to five hours, requiring you to climb an elevation of 2,300 feet. The hike starts with a slight incline on a paved path, passing some local homes, including a small church.
Once you’re almost at the plateau, the trail will consist of packed dirt and loose gravel, and then the hike becomes easier, passing through flat boulders before reaching the entrance to the Vidova Gora park.
