Information
Landmark: Biokovo Nature ParkCity: Makarska
Country: Croatia
Continent: Europe
Biokovo Nature Park, Makarska, Croatia, Europe
Overview
Biokovo Nature Park (Croatian: Park prirode Biokovo) stretches along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, where rocky peaks rise above the sea and the air smells faintly of pine.Towering among Croatia’s tallest peaks, this mountain range rises behind Makarska, its jagged slopes casting a bold, stone-grey backdrop over the town and the land beyond.Biokovo’s rugged cliffs, wildflowers, and sweeping views of the deep blue Adriatic make it a place every nature lover, hiker, and outdoor adventurer should see.Biokovo Nature Park lies in southern Croatia, mostly within Split-Dalmatia County, where the Makarska Riviera stretches along its foot.It runs along the coast, opening up to sweeping views of the Adriatic and the small, sunlit islands scattered across the horizon.At the heart of the park rises the Biokovo Mountain Range, crowned by Sv.Jure (St. George), its tallest peak, soaring 1,762 meters-where the air thins and the horizon stretches forever.That puts it among the tallest peaks on the Adriatic’s eastern shore, rising sharply above the glittering blue water.From Biokovo’s high peaks, you can take in the Makarska Riviera glittering below, the mountain’s own sharp ridges, and the Dalmatian islands-Brac and Hvar-floating like dark green ships on the blue.On a clear day, you can spot the Italian coast shimmering faintly across the water.In Biokovo, you’ll find a rich mix of plant life, including a few rare blooms found nowhere else in the world.In the park, you’ll wander from sun-warmed hills covered in Mediterranean shrubs to wind-swept peaks dotted with tiny alpine flowers.Visitors might wander through shady pine forests, pass sturdy oaks, spot bright wildflowers, and brush past herbs and shrubs that cling to the rocky ground.Fauna: The park teems with life, from bright-feathered birds calling in the trees to mammals and reptiles moving quietly through the underbrush.You’ll find wild boar rooting in the underbrush, red deer moving quietly through the pines, and nimble chamois clinging to rocky cliffs, while eagles wheel overhead and lizards dart across sun-warmed stones; for hikers, Biokovo offers a maze of trails that welcome both casual walkers and seasoned trekkers.In Biokovo Nature Park, marked trails wind up to its highest peaks, including Sv.Jure, where you can take in sweeping views of the rugged mountains and the sea shimmering far below.One favorite path winds up the Biokovo summit trail, taking hikers all the way to Sv.Jure’s rocky peak.From the Biokovo Skywalk-a glass platform that juts out over the mountain’s edge-you can peer straight down through clear panels, one of the park’s most talked‑about new attractions.Perched 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) above the sea, it delivers a rush and sweeping, all-around views of the Adriatic, scattered islands, and the rugged peaks of the Biokovo range.You can take the Biokovo Road, a narrow ribbon of asphalt that twists up the mountain in sharp, breathtaking turns.The road winds past some of the park’s most stunning viewpoints, with pull-offs where you can step out, breathe the pine-scented air, and set off on a trail or simply take in the view.Alongside its sweeping natural beauty, the park holds cultural and historical landmarks, from a weathered stone bridge to an old ranger’s cabin.Near the summit of Sv.Jure stands the small Sv.Jure Chapel, a place where pilgrims climb to light candles and whisper prayers.Scattered across the park, you’ll find traces of ancient settlements, crumbling stone walls, and weathered shepherd huts with moss clinging to their roofs.Getting there’s simple-the park sits just a short, scenic drive from Makarska and the small coastal towns strung like pearls along the Makarska Riviera.Biokovo Road winds up into the park’s higher reaches, so even if you’re not into hiking, you can still drive to the top and take in the sweeping views of rocky peaks and distant sea.Best Time to Visit: Most travelers head to Biokovo between spring and autumn, when the air feels warm, the trails are dry underfoot, and the weather’s just right for hiking or spending long days outdoors.Summer days can scorch, so it’s best to head out early, when the air still feels cool, or wait until the light turns soft in the late afternoon.Winter brings a sharp chill, and at higher elevations snow can blanket the ground, turning a simple trail into a tougher climb.The park stays open all year, but in winter, snow and slick ice can close off certain spots, especially high-altitude hiking trails.You’ll need to pay an entrance fee to get into the park, but it’s usually easy on the wallet-about the cost of a cup of coffee.The fee changes depending on how you arrive-on foot with dust on your boots or behind the wheel of a car.You’ll need to pay a separate fee to get onto the Skywalk, even before you step onto its glass floor.Biokovo Nature Park is carefully managed to protect its wild beauty, from the jagged limestone peaks to the whispering pine forests.The park works to protect its rich biodiversity, from the bright flash of a hummingbird’s wings to the fragile balance of its rare ecosystems.People work to protect endangered animals, safeguard rare plants, and keep tourism sustainable-like limiting visitors on fragile mountain trails.The park also runs educational programs that show why protecting natural spaces matters, from leading kids on quiet forest walks to teaching how to spot animal tracks in the dirt.Biokovo Nature Park will take your breath away, with soaring cliffs, wild goats darting across rocky paths, and trails that lead to sweeping views perfect for hikers, nature lovers, and thrill‑seekers alike.Whether you love spotting rare wildflowers, hiking steep trails, or just breathing in crisp mountain air, Biokovo offers a front-row view of the Dalmatian coast’s untamed beauty.
