Hiking Cruise through the Islands of Northern Dalmatia

 1 week ex Zadar – departures on Saturdays

1st day: From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, boarding in Zadar; welcome and introduction to the crew and to the other passengers. Shortly afterwards we set sail and head towards Ugljan-Preko-_1-16-138.htm">Preko on the island of Ugljan. We hike to the highest point of the island, where we will find the fortress Sveti Mihovil. From there we will enjoy a unique view of Zadar, all the way to the Velebit Massif on one side, and of the islands of Iz and Dugi Otok on the other side. Overnight stay at the harbour of Ugljan-Preko-_1-16-138.htm">Preko. For passengers arriving later, transfer to Ugljan-Preko-_1-16-138.htm">Preko and boarding in the evening.

 Walking time: approx. 3:00; ascent and descent, each 250 metres altitude difference.

 2nd day: After breakfast we will head towards the Kornati Islands National Park. According to the Irish author George Bernard Shaw (who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925), “On the last day of creation, God crowned his work, and thus created, out of tears, stars and breath, the Kornati Islands”. The beautiful scenery, countless small and large islands (according to local lore “an island for every day of the year”), and the beautiful sea – all this makes the Kornati Islands a unique paradise. It is the largest and most dense archipelago in the Adriatic Sea – it comprises 147 islands, islets and reefs with a total area of 69 km˛, spread over 230 km˛. They cover an area of 35 km of length and 13 km of width among the islands of Dugi Otok in the northwest, Zirje in the southeast, and Pasman, Vrgada and Murter in the north and northeast. We head for the bay of Vrulje on the island of Kornat, where we will start today’s hike. Our goal is the highest point on the island, Mount Metlina (237 m). From there, we will enjoy a beautiful view on the island paradise, before returning down to the little church of “Our Lady of Talac”. Overnight stay in Talac, or in one of the bays in the area.

 Walking time: approx. 3:00 hours; ascent and descent, each 237 metres altitude difference.

 3rd day: We will enter the deepcut bay of Telascica, a Nature Park in the south of the island of Dugi Otok. We will moor there and start our excursion. Slowly we will move up the cliffs, from where we will have a fantastic view on the Kornati National Park, on the Nature Park Telascica and on part of the Zadar archipelago. We continue along the rocky coast to the salt lake “Mir”, also known as “the Silver Lake” from the Winnetou movie. We will walk all around the lake, and then return to our ship, which will take us past the islands of Velika and Mala Lavdara, Rava and Iz to the island of Zverinac, where we will spend the night.

 Walking time: approx. 2:30 hours; ascent and descent, each 100 metres altitude difference.

 4th day: From Zverinac we will sail to the nearby Bozava on the island of Dugi Otok. Today’s route takes us from Bozava first on the mountain Kapelica (135 m), from where we will have a spectacular view of the bay Saharun, the islands of Molat and Zverinac, and of the Veli Rat lighthouse. We continue along dry stone walls to the fishing village of Soline, through the village of Polje to Veli Rat, where our ship will be waiting for us. After lunch, we will head towards the island of Pag. Dinner and overnight stay at the harbour of Povljana on the island of Pag.

 Walking time: approx. 3:00 hours; ascent and descent, each 134 metres altitude difference.

 5th day: We pass under the bridge that connects the island of Pag to the mainland and continue to Starigrad-Paklenica. Today we will cross the National Park of Paklenica. From Starigrad we will walk uphill, through the Velika Paklenica Canyon, over the old trade route to the lodge. After a break, we will head back, but first we will climb up to the Manita Pec cave. We will visit the grotto, which is extraordinarily decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the boat and overnight stay in Starigrad-Paklenica.

 Walking time: approx 6:00 hours; ascent and descent, each 548 metres altitude difference.

 6th day: We leave Starigrad-Paklenica and continue through the strait of Novsko Zdrilo and the Novigradsko More (the “Sea of Novigrad”, a lakelike bay) up the River Zrmanja to Obrovac. A bus will take us to the village of Muskovci, from where we will start our hiking tour through the landscape of Karst and the canyon of the crystal clear Zrmanja River. On both sides up to 100 m high cliffs rise up from the canyon, while the singing birds and the croaking frogs accompany us. We’ll pass numerous rapids and waterfalls. Overnight stay in Obrovac.

 Walking time: approx. 4:00 hours; ascent and descent, each 50 metres altitude difference.

 7th day: During breakfast, we will sail to Zaton, where today’s programme begins. Through pine forests and across the streets, we will walk to the ancient Christian town of Nin, the former seat of Croatian bishops and kings, with antique excavations. Before returing to Zaton, we continue to the sandy beach of Sabunike and to a bay with healing mud. The last part of our cruise takes us from Zaton back to Zadar. On arrival at the port of Zadar, an experienced tour guide will lead us through the historic old town, with its numerous sights and monuments.

 Walking time: approx. 4:00 hours; ascent and descent, each 50 metres altitude difference.

 8th day: After breakfast, at around 9:00 am, disembarkation.

Entrance fees to museums etc. are not included in the tour price.