Walking the Dalmatian Coast

Discover the treasures of the Dalmatian Coast on foot as you ramble from topaz shores and ancient port towns to snaking river gorges and fortress-topped peaks

Croatia’s coveted Dalmatian Coast is a walker’s paradise, blessed with craggy clifftop paths that showcase views over the shimmering Adriatic Sea. The base for this group walking tour is the harbour town of Makarska, where you can wander along a palm-fringed promenade while boats bob in the marina and the hulking mounds of the Biokovo Mountains loom overhead. Laze on pebbly beaches perfect for bathing in mirror-clear waters and sip coffee in street-side cafés lined with red-roofed houses and bell-towered churches.

Taste the salt-laced air and savour the sun on your face during gentle daily walks that reveal dramatic Dalmatian scenery. Your group will explore flower-filled botanical gardens and conquer the 1,762-metre-high Sveti Jure Mountain, located in the wilds of Biokovo Nature Park. Medieval history awaits in the coastal town of Omiš, which is shadowed by the 15^th-century Starigrad Fortress and lies along the banks of the Cetina River. Follow the river on foot as it carves its way through a limestone gorge, floating back by boat beneath soaring karsts.

There’s plenty of time to relax en route, with photo stops and lazy picnic lunches at panoramic beauty spots, as well as evening meals in rustic Croatian taverns where you can feast on fresh seafood chased by the region’s traditional fruit brandy, rakija. Relish an entirely free day to bask on the beach, sail to the far-flung islands of Brač and Hvar, or take a scenic trip up the coast to UNESCO-listed Split for Roman palaces, cathedrals and historic squares.

Discover the treasures of the Dalmatian Coast on foot as you ramble from topaz shores and ancient port towns to snaking river gorges and fortress-topped peaks

Accommodation

Is This Walking Holiday for You?

Jules Verne On Foot is all about exploring a region at a relaxed pace, blending fascinating local culture with breathtaking scenery and peaceful walking trails.

• Physical rating - This tour involves five days of low altitude walking and is rated as Moderate. This means it includes walking and other activities requiring a moderate level of fitness to enjoy. Walks range from 6-10km (3.75-6.25 miles) in length with a maximum ascent of 310m and a maximum descent of 340m. You should be confident in your ability to walk for up to 5 hours including frequent breaks and time to admire the spectacular views. Maximum elevation on this tour is approximately 1500m.
• Terrain – Walking routes generally follow quiet paved roads and coastal promenades, easy dirt roads and gravel tracks with some loose stones. A few narrower singletrack footpaths may be steeper and rockier in places, requiring a good level of balance, so the tour is unsuitable for those with knee or joint issues.
• Weather – Our departures avoid the summer months when temperatures are uncomfortably hot for walking. You can anticipate temperatures ranging from 16-26 degrees C (60-79 degrees F) but should be prepared for unseasonably hot or cold conditions, as well as the chance of rain.
• What to pack – Proper walking boots or trekking shoes with grippy soles (trainers are unsuitable). Waterproof/breathable jacket. Lightweight fleece or windstopper jacket. Sun hat/cap, sunglasses, sunscreen. Warm hat and gloves. Small rucksack (around 20 litres or more in capacity). Refillable water bottle or hydration bladder. Walking poles (optional). Swimwear and a small towel. Any personal medication.