CLIMBING IN CROATIA
Most of the Croatian mountains belong to Dinarides. No peak is higher than 2000 m. Most of the mountains in Croatia are consisted of karst. Mountains of region Gorski Kotar are mostly lower and tame and the ones in Dalmatia on south are higher and wilder. Mountains in region Slavonija and around Zagreb are rich with water and vegetation. Those mountains are suitable for relaxing hiking.
Here are some examples and destinations where you can enjoy in climbing and researching heights.
Bijele and Samarske stijene (cliffs) are located in area of Kapela. This area is rich with wild and sharp cliffs, around 50 m high, with yeawns covered with snow. Between those cliffs are beautiful plains called gardens. Special attraction in these mountains are two stone textures. One is consisted of stone towers and the other is consisted of large stone on the top of the cliff. Flora in these mountains: bell flower, lily, beech, fir tree, maple... Fauna: fox, ferrot, ferret, dormouse, marten, badger... Peaks of Bijele and Samarske cliffs have been declared as natural reservation.
Kozjak is a mountain located in Kastelanski bay. On one side it has a shape as a piateau and from the top of the mountain is a beautiful view on sea and islands. In the bottom of mountain Kozjak are located 7 settlements Kastels. Kozjak is consisted of landscapes, vineyards, plains, karstic terrain, rocks, caves and cliffs.
Mosor is a mountain in Dalmatia. It is around 25 km long. Highest peak on mountain Mosor is V. Kabal (1339 m). Mosor is consisted mostly of limestone and it is rich with barrows. Natural barrier of mountain Mosor is river Cetina passing through town Omis and making two mountains Poljicka mountain and Omis Dinara. Mountain Mosor is poor with water. Known barrows on Mosor: Podledenica, Sniznica, Cevrljanka, Reteljeva, Mosoraska, Cavkin ponor... Most known caves are Trojana, Milicevica, Vranjaca, Kraljeva... Water of river Cetina is directed to hydroelectric power plant in Omis, by tunnel through mountain Mosor.
Bitoraj and Visevica are mountains 4 km far one from each other. These mountains are rich with conifer. From Visevica there is a great view on Gorski Kotar.
Klek is a peak located on massif Velika Kapela, near Ogulin. It has attractive, 200 m high cliff, which attracts many climbers and hikers to research it and to admire it`s beauty. Klek has also been put in a sign of Croatian Hiking Alliance.
Mountain Dabarski kukovi is consisted of karstic depressions with arable ground. Most known are three Dabars: Crni (Black), Ravni (Flat) and Dosen Dabar.
Bjelolasica is the highest mountain in Velika Kapela massif. It has sharp cliffs covered with woods. It is mostly consisted of limestone. It is popular for skiing.
Medvednica is a mountain located above Zagreb, capital city of Croatia. Highest peak on mountain Medvednica is Sljeme (1033 m). It is consisted of karst and limestone. It is covered with woods of oak and beech.
Paklenica is located in massif Velebit. It is divided on Mala (Small) and Velika (Large) Paklenica. Velika Paklenica is rich with woods of beech, hornbeam and pine tree. Bottom of Paklenica has many wells and a stream Paklenica. Distance between Mala and Velika Paklenica is around 3 km. Mala Paklenica is shorter and smaller. Paklenica has many attractive rocks and cliffs interesting to climbers. Anica kuk is 712 m high and has highest cliff in Velebit. Climbing is allowed only on east side of passage from Anica kuk to Manita pec. In Mala Paklenica climbing is forbidden. It is a wild zone and a habitat of griffon vulture.
Ostrc is a mountain located in Samoborsko mounts. It has very scarp hill-sides. Ostrc is very accessible what makes it very popular destination for climbers. It has many tracks, roads and bus connection. Sides of Ostrc are covered with grass, what makes a beautiful view. Ostrc has a 15 m high cliff Flinka, on south side, ideal for climbers. Ostrc also has Mountaineer`s house.
Risnjak is located in region Gorski Kotar. It is rich with vegetation, woods, animal life. Risnjak has been declared as National Park. Peak of Risnjak is rocky. Risnjak is located between the roads connecting G. Jelenje, Lazac, Segine, Gerovo, Crni Lug and Mrzla Vodica. Risnjak is poor with water, but it has barrows with ever lasting snow in higher areas.
Papuk is located in region Slavonija between Daruvar, Slatina, Pozega and Nasice. Highest peak is Ivacka glava (913 m). Papuk is covered with woods of oak, beech, maple, ash. Sokoline stijene are cliffs with no vegetation, which is unusual for this region. Papuk is rich with water and vegetation and it is ideal for mountain tourism.
Island mountains – Croatia has 1185 islands, cliffs and ledges. Most of the islands are mountains of massif Dinarides. They are consisted of limestone mostly. Some of the islands are actually just peaks of mountains rising from the sea. Island mountains are mostly not very high and they are in many cases rich with Mediterranean vegetation. Only 60 islands in Croatia are inhabitated. Islands are mostly poor with fresh water and fertile ground. Highest island in Croatia is island Brac (Vidova gora – 778 m).
Zavizan is a mountain located on Velebit massif. You can get to the peaks by car, by foot or by bus. It is a piateau bounded with two chains of peaks. Some of those peaks are Snjeznik (1610 m), Pljesivica (1654 m), Markov vrh (1385 m), Mali Rajinac (1699 m), Veliki Rajinac (1667 m)... Peaks of Zavizan closing Zavizan`s valley are Veliki Zavizan (1677 m), Vucjak (1644 m), Balinovac (1601 m), Zalovacko bilo (1630 m), Pivcevac (1676 m) and Zavizanska kosa (1620 m). On Vucjak is located Mountaineer`s house Zavizan.
Kalnik is a mountain located in regions Zagorje, Podravina and Prigorje. It is consisted of two ledges. One is covered with woods and the other has cliffs rising.
Ucka is a mountain dividing region/peninsula Istria and the rest of the Croatia. Ucka has simple shape, two scarp sides. Highest peak is Vojak (1396 m). Ucka is consisted of limestone and rich with karst.