Dalmatian Coast on Foot - Premium Adventure

The tour starts in the fascinating old city of Dubrovnik. Situated right on the Adriatic Sea, the fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the jumble of red-tiled roofs make this a truly enchanting place. In the evening, we take a walk around the city and go out for a welcome dinner where we will have a briefing about the tour.

Meals Included: Dinner

The tour starts in the fascinating old city of Dubrovnik. Situated right on the Adriatic Sea, the fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the jumble of red-tiled roofs make this a truly enchanting place. In the evening, we take a walk around the city and go out for a welcome dinner where we will have a briefing about the tour.

Premium accommodation: Hotel Adria (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

After breakfast, we take a transfer (about 25 minutes) to the village of Gornji Obod. From here, we follow a path that zig-zags up to the village of Velji Do. After a break, the walk continues up to Strazisce Peak; at the top we are rewarded with spectacular views back over Dubrovnik and can see the commemorative cross in memory of the US aircraft that crashed delivering aid in 1996.

Next, we transfer back to Dubrovnik where we have the afternoon to enjoy the city. The cobblestoned streets of the old town, or Stari Grad, feature fountains, churches, palaces and museums – all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles here, but the streets come alive at night as people take stroll along Stradun, the main street.

Ascent: 2,133ft (650m); descent: 656ft (200m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Adria (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we transfer by bus to Tucepi, which takes about 3hr 30min with a coffee break. Once in Tucepi, we begin our walk to Makarska, through the Biokovo mountains. The Biokovo massif rises steeply above the Makarska Riviera in three spectacular shelves, providing hiking for all levels and fabulous views. Our destination of Makarska is a small but lively town, tastefully restored in stone after a devastating earthquake in 1962. It has a fantastic 1.2mi (2km) stretch of beach, so if we have a bit of time after lunch, we can take a refreshing dip before we head for the island of Brac. We will catch the ferry from Makarska and transfer to Bol, by far the biggest draw on Brac.

Ascent: 1,148ft (350m); descent: 1,148ft (350m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Elaphusa (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We start today with a 20-minute transfer to the small village of Gazul, where we begin our walk to the peak of Vidova Gora (2,559ft/780m above sea level). The first section takes us through woodland for around 1hr 30min as we gradually ascend 755ft (230m) to the highest point on Brac. The views from the top are spectacular; we can see all the way to Hvar island and the Zlatni Rat spit jutting out to sea – a view captured on many postcards in Croatia, so make sure to bring your camera.

We then enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch in the beautiful old village of Brac. From here, we transfer back to Bol, where we can then make the most of the glorious Zlatni Rat beach. It is south-facing – ideal for an afternoon of rest and relaxation.

Ascent: 755ft (230m); descent: 2,625ft (800m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Elaphusa (four-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We begin with a morning ferry to Split, the second biggest city in Croatia. The old centre is compact and easily explored on foot; many make a beeline to the best-known attraction, Diocletian’s Palace. The town is a lively, friendly place with a buzzing cafe culture. Stop, have a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.

We then have a bus transfer (approximately 52mi/84km) to Krka National Park. Here we begin our walk to Skradinski Buk, a series of waterfalls dropping down in 17 dramatic steps. The area is accessed by wooden walkways and forest paths. It’s also a fantastic spot for wildlife – an important sanctuary with several endemic species, some now extinct elsewhere in Europe. The walk will take around 2hr 30min and all on easy paths. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Zadar where we have dinner in the old town.

Ascent: 492ft (150m); descent: 492ft (150m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Pinija (four-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we have a walking tour of Paklenica National Park. It’s home to Velika and Mala Paklenica, two canyons vertically cut into the mountain where climbers from across Europe test their skills. In a relatively small area of the national park, there are several unusual karst forms and caves, and the area is extremely rich in flora and fauna.

Our 7hr 30min walk starts with a short 4x4 ride up to Veliko Rujno (2,789ft/850m), and from here we climb 985ft (300m) for fantastic views over the park. Our walk is then mostly downhill as we have 3,775ft (1,150m) of descent through the quietest areas of the park, the village of Ramici and finishing in the main canyon itself. We return to Zadar in the afternoon.

Ascent: 984ft (300m); descent: 3,773ft (1,150m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Pinija (four-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we have another opportunity to explore the wonderful wilderness of Paklenica National Park and complete the most challenging hike of the trip. We walk to the saddle of Pod Jaginim Kukom, which has a great view up to Bojin Kuk. The Bojinac group is made of a vast area of limestone, with the karst scenery forming towers of rock, furrowed limestone cliffs, caves and green meadows creating a contrast against the severe rock. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a walker’s paradise.

Today's walk takes about five to six hours, the terrain is quite challenging and rocky and requires concentration, steady footing and good balance. En route, we pass the unusual Mirila graves. This afternoon we return to Zadar in time for a swim and relaxation before leaving Croatia tomorrow.

Ascent: 1,969ft (600m); descent: 656ft (200m)

Premium accommodation: Hotel Pinija (four-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we have a bus transfer to Zadar airport; fly to London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel this morning, before a transfer to Split, where the trip ends. Of course, if you’d like a little time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Split.

Meals Included: Breakfast