Biokovo at a Glance
Biokovo is the limestone mountain range that rises almost straight out of the sea behind the Makarska Riviera in central Dalmatia, running along the coast between the Cetina and Neretva rivers. Its highest peak, Sveti Jure, reaches 1,762 metres, making Biokovo the second-highest mountain range in Croatia. A transmitter tower and a small chapel stand on the summit.
The mountain was declared a nature park in 1981, mainly for its karst landforms and biodiversity; the protected area covers about 196 square kilometres and is home to more than 1,500 plant and animal species, some of them endemic. The contrast is what draws people: within a few kilometres you go from beaches and pine trees to bare rock, sinkholes and mountain pasture, with views over the islands of Brač, Hvar and beyond on clear days.
Opening Hours and Tickets
The park is officially open from April to October; from November to March it is not officially open to visitors. According to the park's published working hours, it opens at 7:00 in April and September, at 6:00 from May to August and at 8:00 in October, with the last entry an hour before closing (18:00, 19:00 and 17:00 respectively). Tickets are sold through the park's web shop, and buying online before you go is the simplest option. The Biokovo Nature Park visitor centre is in the centre of Makarska, a useful first stop for maps and current conditions.
Driving the Biokovo Road and the Skywalk
The easiest way up is the Biokovo road, entered from the state road D-512 between Makarska and Vrgorac. It is a narrow, one-lane, two-way mountain road with passing bays roughly every 300 metres. To manage traffic, the park admits only 20 vehicles every full hour, so arrive with time to spare or expect to wait. Stopping or turning around on the D-512 near the entrance is prohibited.
It is about 13 km from the entrance to the Biokovo Skywalk, roughly 30 minutes by car. The Skywalk is a glass-floored viewing platform projecting over a cliff around 1,228 metres above sea level. The road continues higher towards the summit. Drive slowly, use the bays to let oncoming cars pass, and be aware that the park states the road is used at your own risk.
Hiking Routes
For hikers, the classic approach starts in Makarska or in the villages directly above it, such as Makar and Veliko Brdo, and climbs steeply to Vošac, a 1,421-metre peak directly above the town. From Vošac, marked trails continue across the karst plateau towards Sveti Jure. Going from sea level to the summit means climbing more than 1,700 metres, a long and demanding full day that suits experienced, fit hikers. Many people make Vošac their goal, or drive part of the way and hike the upper sections.
The park also maintains shorter educational trails and the Kotišina botanical garden on the lower slopes, between about 350 and 500 metres above sea level, which suits a gentler outing.
Safety on the Mountain
Biokovo looks close from the beach, which leads some visitors to underestimate it. Between 1976 and 2007, 24 people died and 37 were rescued on the mountain, often unprepared hikers. The karst has almost no surface water, little shade on the upper slopes and terrain where it is easy to lose the path.
- Start at first light in summer and carry at least two to three litres of water per person.
- Wear proper hiking boots; the limestone is sharp and loose in places.
- Follow the marked trails and carry a map or offline navigation app.
- Check the forecast: summer afternoons can bring sudden storms, and the bora wind makes exposed ridges dangerous.
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
In an emergency, call 112.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons for hiking. In July and August temperatures on the lower slopes are high, and the climb from the coast is only advisable at dawn. Clear days after a bora often give the sharpest views across the islands. Visibility can change quickly, so if the summit is in cloud, consider settling for the Skywalk or a lower trail.
Practical Notes
Makarska is the natural base, with plenty of accommodation and buses along the coast from Split and Dubrovnik. There are no shops on the mountain, so bring food and water with you. Croatia uses the euro.
