Nature park Biokovo

The 195.5 square kilometer large nature park BIOKOVO is located in central Dalmatia, directly above the Makarska Riviera, near the city of Split. The park encompasses a large part of its namesake mountain range, Biokovo.  Here, the 1,762-meter peak Sveti Jure can be reached by the  23 kilometer long road, which is also the highest road in Croatia. From here, visitors can enjoy a fantastic view of the Bosnian hinterlands down into the sea. The offshore islands and the islands of Lastovo and Vis can also be marveled at and you can even see over the entire Adriatic Sea across to Italy on a clear day. The Biokovo Nature Park is characterized by its unique scenic beauty and by its great diversity of flora and fauna species. Many of the animal and plant species found here are endemic, meaning they exist only here in the Biokovo. This is ultimately the main reason why the state took it under its protection in 1981.

Tourist Attractions in Biokovo Nature Park

The nature park has a large variety of vegetation. On the coastal side there are barren rock faces rising up out of the sea at low heights, and at the same time, the thick forests partly cover the green valleys. Among the trees that thrive here are black pine, aleppo pine, fir and the mighty beech. In addition, numerous rare animal species are native to the Biokovo, including over 100 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles, 13 species of bats and seven amphibians, which are all under the protection of the nature reserve. There are over 220 different species of butterflies, including the rare swallowtail, one of Europe's most beautiful butterflies. Particularly influential for the Nature Park Biokovo are the very often encountered wild chamois. The horned viper,  in the rocks penetrating the karst landscape, also feel at home. In addition to the rich flora and fauna, visitors can enjoy looking at geological and historical sites. Very interesting is a visit to the fourth deepest cave in Croatia at 788 meters, the Amfora. Furthermore, the Biokovo Nature Park is home to a remarkable botanical garden that is situated about 500 meters up on the slope above the village Kotisina. The Botanical Garden is only about three kilometers from the town of Makarska. During many walks you can also discover the remains of ancient sheepfolds, and the ruins of human settlements which were abandoned centuries ago. Also worth seeing are the two chapels Saint Ilija and Saint Nikola.

Sport and Leisure Activities

Many ways to describe the nature park include: having many avid hikers and climbers, as well as having a widely ramified road network and many diverse routes. Currently there are 19 trails of varying difficulty and two trails that run through the park. The trails are aligned so that they pass by huts at regular intervals; huts that offer opportunities for both rest and for overnight stays. As you increase in elevation, there are  numerous vantage points that reward the effort put into walking. Such as the wonderful view of the Makarska Riviera and to the offshore islands. In addition to hiking and climbing in this natural park there is also the opportunity to go para-gliding or to go horseback riding.

Opening Times and Prices

The Biokovo Nature Park is open from April 1 until November 15 and is therefore closed in winter between the 16^th of November until the 31^st of March. The entrance fee costs around 7 Euros per person (50 Kuna) and children under 7 can enter the park for free. Students, schoolchildren, and students, as well as those part of an organized group, such as a club, receive a 50% discount.