Istria & Devil’s Garden Backpacking Adventure

Walking the Littoral Balcony

To get out of the usual tourist routes and routines, you don’t have to go far. Europe’s nearest wilderness is within reach. We believe that the biggest advantage of Croatia is the contrast. Only a 2-hour drive from the capital, you can experience the real wilderness and untouched nature. Immerse into an adventure on the part of the first Croatian long-distance hiking trail Via Adriatica, an incredibly beautiful and diverse hiking route. You will have the opportunity to lose yourself in nature and in the wild forget about everything else.

Itinerary

Day 1     Welcome to Zagreb!

We will meet at the airport and drive to your accommodation to freshen up. After a drink and a short welcome meeting, we will take you through Zagreb, the vibrant youngest European capital, and fit all Zagreb top attractions and major city sites. After lunch, we head to the small picturesque town of Plomin where we stay overnight to be fresh in the morning to start our adventure. On the way, we stop for a coffee in Opatija Riviera, Austro-Hungarian Empire Habsburg’s royal family summer residence.

Day 2     Učka mountain – On the scenic rigde

                (Plomin – Mala Učka)

After a short sightseeing of the picturesque town, and inspecting the equipment, we are ready to set off on a hike on our 6-day adventure! On this all-day hike on the mountain ridge, the view will spread from the entire Istrian peninsula and Italy to Kvarner Bay and its islands. We will camp near a barely populated pastoral village.

Day 3     Učka peak – The view you will remember

                (Mala Učka – Kastavska šuma)

Today we climb to the highest peak of Učka with a 360 view towards the Alps and if we will be lucky with the weather, far across the Adriatic towards the Apennines in Italy. We continue through the forest dotted with rocky sinkholes and lookouts, pass through several villages and enter the endless Kastav forest where we look for a suitable place for camping.

Day 4     Coastal Alps – The view from the gallery

                (Kastavska šuma – Platak)

Shortly after the start we quickly cross under the highway and disappear into a hamlet from which we head to the highest peak of the Coastal Alps. The demanding climb will reward us with a magnificent view. We continue along the ridge to a small mountain hut where we will refresh ourselves. A bit through the woods, and a bit across the meadows we will find a place to spend the night under the stars with a view.

Day 5     Risnjak National Park – Deep forests and rocky peaks

                (Platak – Gornje Jelenje)

Ris means lynx, and lynx do exist in Gorski Kotar – Croatian Highlands, although it is almost impossible to see them. Along the way, we stock in the famous picnic area and a small ski resort Platak. We enter centuries-old dense pine forests that cover rugged karst. After climbing two mountains with beautiful views, we spend the night wherever we like.

Day 6     Tuhobić mountain – Lesser-known paths

                (Gornje Jelenje – Benkovac Fužinski)

The trail leads us to lesser-known trails and places with only a few houses. We may meet some locals, maybe not. While we admire the view from the top of the mountain in silence, deep below us in the tunnel the traffic is buzzing. Already trained in finding a place to camp we spend the night somewhere in the wild.

Day 7     Vinodol hinterland – Along the beautiful peaks towards the wild horses

                (Benkovac Fužinski – Breze)

We continue on undemanding trails in sparsely visited areas. Although lower, the peaks we climb offer us just as attractive views as the ones we have visited. Along the way, we look back at the mountain ranges we’ve passed through and can’t believe what we’ve been through and experienced over the past week. Fully satisfied and with our batteries fully recharged we return to Zagreb.

Day 8 Goodbye! Transfer to Zagreb airport.

Highlights

• Zagreb, the Croatian capital
• Plomin, a picturesque Istrian town
• Učka mountain
• Croatian Coastal Alps
• Risnjak National Park

Included

• 2 nights in ***hotel with breakfast
• 2 airport transfers
• all the transfers and logistics
• 3 daily meals a day for 6 days hike
• guiding

Not included

• costs except those listed

Accommodation

1 night in Plomin ***hotel

1 night Zagreb in ***hotel

5 nights camping

Hiking

Hiking days: 6

Total length: 120 km (up to 25 km per day)

Effective hiking per day: up to 7 hours

Max elevation: 1528 m

Total ascent: max 800 m

Terrain: hiking trails, gravel roads

Hiking area: Istria, Croatian Littoral, Gorski Kotar

Level: moderate

Safety spots: at the end of each section

Price: 1290 EUR (based on 7 people)