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BEST ROCK CLIMBING IN CROATIA
Croatia is known for many things: delicious food, geography, and rich history to name a few. The country is full of geographic wonders and many national parks, which provide multiple locations for climbing in Croatia. As rock climbing has slowly become more popular over the years, this short guide provides information about some of the top climbing areas in the country.
Paklenica National Park
Located in Zadar County sits the most famous climbing spot in all of Croatia. Paklenica National Park is the perfect location for year-round climbing, though it is most often visited in the summertime since it’s so close to the sea. Catering to all climbing abilities, there are routes for beginners and experienced climbers. There are also many options for different climbing preferences such as bouldering or lead climbing. One of the most popular rocks for climbing is Anića kuk, which has over 150 routes that allow options for climbers of varying abilities.
While visiting Paklenica National Park, be sure to explore the nearby city of Zadar. The city has endless opportunities for sampling the local cuisine after a long day of rock climbing. There are also plenty of beaches sprinkled throughout the area, providing the perfect location for a day spent near the sea.
Limski Kanal
There are five different climbing zones at Limski Kanal, all providing different routes ranging from medium to advanced grades. Depending on which zone is being climbed, the views are of either the canal’s vibrant blue waters below, or of the Adriatic Sea, but all routes provide scenery of the dense surrounding forests. This climbing location is best to seek out during the spring and summer, but it is important to keep in mind that this popular location is busiest on the weekends. Since Limski Kanal is a bit off the beaten path near the town of Rovinj, there are plenty of areas for seaside camping, to make the most of a climbing trip.
Marjan
One of Europe’s first ever climbing competitions took place at Marjan in Split. There are over 80 routes for climbing the limestone cliffs, offering a variation in difficulty from medium to advanced. Though this route provides exceptional views over the Adriatic, it is recommended to climb this crag during the winter months as shade is minimal and it can get quite hot in the bright summer sun. Marjan Hill is a protected area that offers a great lookout point over the city of Split.
While the views of the city are quite magnificent from above, Split is a great place to spend at least one day exploring. The second largest city in Croatia is full of famous sites to see. From a palace and a fortress, to the bustling Old Town, Split is a great place to visit between busy climbing days.
Omiš
The most popular free climbing location in Croatia is located in Omiš. The town’s cliff sides provide over 200 climbing routes, all between a medium to advanced difficulty rating. Most of the routes on the limestone cliffs include vertical walls, slabs, or overhangs. The weather in this seaside town makes for great climbing weather year-round.
Omiš also has a fascinating history and is a great location for enjoying other adventurous outdoor activities in addition to climbing. Omiš used to be a pirate harbor, home to some of the most dominant pirates on the Croatian coastline. Because of this, Omiš has fortresses that were used to protect the town against enemies. Other adventurous activities in this town include ziplining, rafting on the river that runs through the town, and snorkeling in the Adriatic Sea.
Climbing in Croatia is just one of the many adventurous activities offered by the beautiful Balkan country. Start planning your trip today and add any of these wonderful climbing areas to one of our itineraries such as the Active Honeymoon in Croatia, or let us help you to create your own custom travel plans!
