The best island hikes in Croatia

The islands aren't just for lying on a beach. Behind almost every coastal town a path climbs into pine, rock and herb-scented scrub to a viewpoint that makes the whole trip. Here are the island walks worth the effort.

Vidova Gora, Brač

The classic — a climb to 778 m, the highest point of any Adriatic island, with Zlatni Rat far below and Hvar floating beyond. Start from Bol; allow a couple of hours up. More in our Vidova Gora & Biokovo guide.

Hum, Vis

The highest peak on remote Vis rewards you with a 360° sweep of open Adriatic and, on a clear day, the outline of distant islands. See Vis from Split.

The Hvar ridge & Stari Grad plain

Walk the spine of Hvar between villages, or take the gentle paths across the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain from Stari Grad — Greek field walls, vineyards and olive groves laid out over two thousand years.

Cres & Mljet

Wilder options up north: the uplands of Cres with their griffon vultures, and the forest trails around the saltwater lakes of Mljet national park — see Mljet from Split.

Pick an island base from our island-hopping guide.