SLOW ADVENTURE - CROATIA Self-Guided Hiking along the Dalmatian Coast

Split to Dubrovnik

Enjoy walking along ancient Greek, Roman, and Venetian trails while discovering the local culture and gastronomy and natural beauty of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia – one of the most visually stunning areas in the Mediterranean.

Start your hiking tour in the historic city of Split, take ferries or boats each day from island to island as you hike on amazing island trails to local inns and hotels. You’ll visit the islands of Brac, Hvar, Korčula, and the Peljesac Peninsula before finishing your Slow Adventure in the historic city of Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic!

Day 1: Split - Arrival and Orientation

Welcome to Split, a 1700 year old Roman town! Meet our representative upon your arrival for an orientation and briefing regarding your walking tour along the Dalmatian coast and islands. Start your walk from your hotel in Split along the coast, passing beautiful bays and beaches. You’ll walk through the Marjan Park Forest, a famous recreational spot enjoyed by the citizens of Split.

Discover the many charming churches and trails with amazing views of Split, the sea, and nearby islands. Later in the evening, you’ll walk along the old walls, and narrow, cobbled streets of Diocletian’s Palace. You’ll pass numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants serving fresh, exciting, Mediterranean food.Overnight: SplitHiking distance: 5.5 or 9 miles + city walk (2h) Elevation gain: 590ft. Duration: 3/5h + 2h city walkHighlights: Split, Park Forest Marjan, local beaches, farmer’s market, fish market, and Diocletian Palace.

Day 2: Brač

Start the day with a ferry ride from Split to the island of Brač. Once you arrive on Brač, you will have the option of an easy coastal trail from Lovrecina Bay or you can challenge yourself with a longer west side loop which takes you along olive groves, through the laid back village of Sutivan and then back along the coast to historic Supetar. Or you can do both options, which will total approximately 15.5 miles.

Whatever option you choose today, you will enjoy great views on the mainland, quiet coastal paths, discover ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and stop into sleepy fishing villages.

One of the trademarks of Brač is the stone and stone quarries – the White house in Washington, D.C., and Diocletian’s Palace are just

some sites that were built with this stone. All the ancient villages and towns on Brač are an exhibition of fine stone work.After your hike, you may have time to either swim at one of the many beaches surrounding Supetar, or discover other historical sites and local culture before you take the ferry back to Split.

Overnight: Split Distance: 8.5 -10 miles (to Lovrecina and back) or 6.5 miles (west side loop) Elevation gain: 500-600ft. Duration: 4.5/3h Highlights: Island Brač, olive groves, fishing villages, and coastal paths.

Day 3: Stari Grad and Hvar Island

Today you depart for your 2nd island in Croatia, Hvar, rated as one of the "top 10 most beautiful islands in the world" according to Traveller Magazine. Cultural and historical sites, lavender fields, crystal clear turquoise waters, charming villages and towns are just some of the highlights this island has to offer. Take a “cultural walk” along the narrow streets of Stari Grad town, literally translated ‘The Old Town’. Founded in the 4th century B.C., this is one of the first Greek colonies in the Adriatic. Enjoy the numerous charming squares, restaurants and cafés of Stari Grad, before you depart on your journey to the south coastline of Hvar Town. You’ll pass through abandoned villages, once famous for lavender and rosemary oil production; olive groves, fields of

lavender and discover charming and hidden beaches with turquoise seas.

In the afternoon treat yourself with a well deserved coffee or aperitif at one of the numerous bars along the Venetian influenced piazza of Hvar Town before dinner!

Overnight: Hvar TownDistance: 7.5 miles + 1 mile city walk Elevation loss: 1,000ft. Duration: 3-4 h + 2h city walk Highlights: Inland villages of Malo and Velo Grablje, lavender fields, secluded beaches with turquoise seas, Hvar Town.

Day 4: Hvar Town and Korčula Island

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we suggest walking to the Fortica Španjola– a fortress located on the hill above Hvar Town, where the latest renovations were done in the 16th century. The hike to the fortress gives you an unforgettable panoramic view of the city, its surroundings and the Pakleni Islands. If you are interested in some beach time, you might want to take a water taxi to Pakleni Islands, a small but beautiful archipelago located right in front of Hvar Town where you can enjoy an easy walk, swim in secluded bays, and have a nice lunch overlooking the Adriatic!

Later in the afternoon, you will depart by boat to Korčula, where you will spend the next 2 evenings.

Overnight: Korčula Distance: 2 miles Elevation gain: 300ft. Duration: 2 hHighlights: Hvar Town, Fortica Fortress, optional visit to Pakleni Islands, Korčula town

Day 5: Korčula - Marco Polo’s home

Wake up to your 3rd Dalmatian island– Korčula!

The island is considered to be the hometown of Marco Polo, the famous world traveller, where his Silk Road began. Korčula used to be a Greek colony, dating back to the 4th century and was called Korkyra Melaina (Black Korcula). Nowadays, the island is famous for the production of the best Croatian white wines - Posip and Grk. The hike today takes you along a nature park with amazing rock formations and wild life. The walk itself is very peaceful and relaxing, in the unusual but very pleasant landscape for the Dalmatian karst region. The area

contains dolomite rock formations and is densely wooded. Following the nature park, you’ll continue along the ancient Napoleon path, along olive groves, small vineyards, small fields of sage, oregano, and many other healthy herbs. The hike ends in the village of Pupnat, where you have the option to enjoy a unique lunch prepared by the Farac family. Most of their ingredients come from the fields that you have been walking through. Spend the late afternoon in medieval Korčula and explore its cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings and other architectural masterpieces made in the Gothic and Renaissance style.

Overnight: Korčula townDistance: 8 miles or 5 miles (can be extended) Elevation gain: 1100ft. Duration: 4 h/2.5hHighlights: Nature Park of Korčula , Korčula, Pupnat village

Day 6: Peljesac, Ston, and Dubrovnik

Start the morning with a short boat ride to the peninsula Peljesac and the town of Orebic. The town was founded in the 15th century and is famous for its maritime tradition and still features many charming stone houses of the once famous sea captains. From Orebic, you’ll start your hike along the southern slopes of Mt. Ilija, where you’ll pass secluded vineyards, an old Franciscan monastery, and enjoy stunning views of Korčula and the Peljesac archipelago. Once back to the coast, you’ll enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront of Kučište and Viganj, both laid back Dalmatian villages.

Later this afternoon, you will visit the important and historic village of Ston, home of the second longest stone wall in the world and the ancient salt works. You’ll be driven from Ston to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, where you’ll spend your final evening.

Overnight: Dubrovnik Distance: 6 miles + 2.5 miles (Ston walls) Elevation gain: 700ft. Duration: 2 h + 1.5h Optional Ston walls walkHighlights: Peljesac Peninsula and Dubrovnik

Day 7: Farewell

Today, after breakfast, take a walk in the Old City of Dubrovnik. Stroll along the ramparts of the Old City; glide along the marble streets and plazas; step into the hallowed naves of the many gothic churches; study the fascinating Baroque architecture, and envelop yourself in the very rich history of the once very important Republic of Dubrovnik. This walk will serve as the perfect finale to your Dalmatian Coast adventure and you will be ready to return home enriched by the discovery of one small but beautiful Mediterranean country!

Overnight: Your choice (not included in trip price) Distance: easy city walking tour (2h)Highlights: Dubrovnik

TRIP INFORMATION

This trip will be offered from April through October. Summer months are HOT. Spring and Fall are traditionally mild and perfect for hiking and touring.

Final pricing and links to the lodging will be available by February 1st. Please click here to make an inquiry or ask for additional information.

Price will include: - Welcome meeting and orientation briefing - Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary - All breakfasts - Luggage transfers - All the transfers mentioned in itinerary including all boats and ferry trips - Trail book with detailed route notes and maps, historical descriptions, dining suggestions and other important and useful information- 24/7 assistance and emergency contact

The price will not include: - Travel insurance- Lunches and dinners - Personal expenses - Tips- Airport transfers - Entrance fees to museums or bus tickets (Day 2 and Day 4 – approximately 2 Eur per 1 bus ticket)

Rating: Moderate On this tour there are 7 days of activity with average hiking/walking distance of 6-7 miles per day. The terrain on this tour changes daily; you will experience single-tracks, wide gravel roads, rocky coastal paths, cobblestone streets (in the historical towns) and paved roads (not more than 3 miles in total). However, on most of the days we do provide extensions so you can do 12 mile+ hikes on 3 of the days during the tour