Croatia: Hike, Bike & Kayak

8 Days | Hike, bike and kayak in and around Croatia’s Paklenica National Park

4.9 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
Multi-active
From
EUR 1.865 €
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Croatia is home to some of the most beautiful national parks, waterfalls and mountains in Europe. Many of its most stunning natural features can be found in and around Paklenica National Park, so this is the perfect spot for an eight-day active adventure. Get your heart pumping as you hike, bike and kayak among some of the country’s most gorgeous surrounds, including Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Velebit Mountain Range. There’s also plenty of time to enjoy fresh, local cuisine, see the sights and enjoy some down time along the sparking Adriatic Sea.

Trip overview

Map of Croatia: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Croatia
Start
Zadar, Croatia
Finish
Starigrad Paklenica, Croatia
Theme
Multi-active
Destinations
Croatia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMXC
This trip generates 19 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Ride into the heart of Paklenica National Park – a place where the mountains meet the sea, where deep gorges, lush forests and lost villages wait to be explored.
  • Hike through the Velebit Mountain Range, right to the edge of the Velika Paklenica Canyon for some of the most magnificent views of the park. The lush landscape is a result of the pure spring water that flows through the area.
  • Sea kayak on the silken blue waters of the Adriatic with dramatic mountains as your backdrop. With expert guides, you’ll follow the coast to the fishing hamlet of Vinjerac, stopping along the way for scenic photo ops, lunch and a couple of swims.
  • Stroll through the gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site of Plitvice Lakes National Park – home to numerous lakes and waterfalls that look almost unreal.
  • Enjoy a free day to take on your favourite activity – maybe head out on a canoe safari or a whitewater rafting adventure, taking you from Kastel Zegarski to waterfalls, narrow valleys and steep-sided canyons to Obrovac.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is an active trip packed with activities such as cycling, kayaking and trekking. To fully enjoy it, you'll need to be in a good state of health and fitness. To participate in the water-based experiences, you'll need to be a confident swimmer.
  • Because the itinerary is packed with lots of exciting activities this trip involves some early starts and long days.
  • Starigrad Paklenica, the base for this trip from Day 2, is located approximately 150 km north-west of Split, and 50 km north of Zadar. Arrival transfers to the starting location in Zadar are available for purchase from the airports of both cities.
  • You’ll be staying in local apartments in Starigrad Paklenica, all of which have private facilities.

Itinerary

Map of Croatia: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Croatia

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Bicycle, Kayak, On foot

Accommodation

Hostel (1 night), Local apartments (6 nights)

Activities
  • Guided Hike in Paklenica National Park
  • Mountain Biking in or around Paklenica National Park
  • Plitvice Lakes - National Park Visit
  • Sea Kayaking Excursion on Paklenica Bay
Add on activities
  • Half Day Bike Hire in Starigrad - EUR17
  • Bluesun Hotel Wellness & Spa - EUR15
  • Manita Cave - EUR5
  • Rafting or Canoeing on Zrmanja River - EUR45

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Starigrad Paklenica, the base for this trip from day 2, is located approximately 150 kilometers north-west of Split, and 50 kilometers north of Zadar. Arrival transfers to the starting location in Zadar are available for purchase from the airports of both cities.
2. This multi-activity trip requires a good level of fitness and health.
3. You will be staying in local apartments in Starigrad Paklenica, all of which have private facilities.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the following nights, where a single room does not form part of the package. In this case you will be matched up with another traveler of the same gender. If a single room becomes available at check-in for these nights, there may be the option for you to upgrade to a single room and pay the surcharge locally for that night:
- Day 1 - Zadar
Please also note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Michelle · Traveled June 2024
Our guide Stepi offered an adrenaline-fueled adventure amidst stunning natural wonders. Hiking through breathtaking canyons and climbing rugged cliffs through Paklenica National Park. The crystal-clear Adriatic Sea provided perfect opportunities for kayaking, and the lakes of Plitvice an eye-watering delight. This is a must-visit for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Review submitted 04 Jul 2024

Linda · Traveled May 2024
The trip exceeded my expectations. Lucija, our young leader, was knowledgeable about Croatia and surrounding countries. She was able to answers all our questions. The activities were fun and varied. I highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 18 May 2024

Husam · Traveled May 2024
The Croatian people are very friendly. Both the people and their country are beautiful. The country offers interesting history and outstanding opportunities for nature lovers.
Review submitted 18 May 2024

Katherine · Traveled September 2023
This trip is not for people wanting to hit up the usual spots of Croatia. We stayed in a cute, little town and got to spend our days pretty away from the crowds (except Pritvice Lake day!). I really enjoyed spending time with the locals and experiencing something off the beaten path, particularly Paklenica which was fabulous. There wasn't a ton of variety in the food in the area - mostly fish, pizza, and some chicken dishes and we struggled with some high wind days. I highly recommend this for anyone wanting a different adventure who is a flexible traveler.
Review submitted 09 Oct 2023

Arielle · Traveled August 2023
This was an excellent tour in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The hike through the national park and sea kayaking exceeded my expectations. Our guide Tamara was awesome and made the whole trip a truly enjoyable experience. Highly recommend this tour for those who love being active in nature!
Review submitted 21 Aug 2023
Croatia: Hike, Bike & Kayak
From
EUR 1.865 €