5 Best Hiking Trails around Opatija

Explore the most interesting hiking trails around Opatija. Discover beautiful views of Kvarner Bay from Mount Učka and spend the most active vacation in this picturesque region of Croatia.

Mount Učka Trails

Poklon-Vojak-Poklon

Start your trip at the peak of Učka (1.396 m), the highest peak of the Istrian peninsula. The trip starts at Poklon (922 m) where you can start your day with a cup of coffee at the lodging house. The trail leads through the forest and crosses the road that leads to the peak of Učka, so it’s possible to get there by car if you are in a rush. The difficulty of this trail is marked as easy, and the estimated time to get there is about 2 hours, whereas to return to the lodging house for lunch, you can take the road and get there in a shorter period of time. The trail is some 7 km long, and when you reach the peak, it offers mesmerizing views of Kvarner Bay.

Medveja – Mala Učka – Vojak

Often called a trail classic from Kvarner, this trail is much different as the trail is much more uphill and much more intense when it comes to the difficulty of the hiking path. It leads from Medveja, near our sky pool Villa Medveja, a charming tourist village that offers a beautiful pebble stone beach and much more activities, such as rock climbing, there are moderate and difficult directions. You have to pass by the camping resort Medveja and start your trip uphill by the stairs that lead to the village of Kali. Further, continue on stone staircase, which ascends quite sharply and winds between historic dry stone walls. At the end of this mixture of stairs and paved paths, you will reach the abandoned village of Visoče (416 m).

Land Art Trail Učka 

One of the most popular hiking trails among families with children in Mount Učka is, for sure, the Land Art Trail “Stražica-Sapaćica”. The trail on Učka was designed by artist Boris Pecigoš, who, as stated on the nature park’s website, aimed to influence awareness of the importance of the connection between humans and nature. The works are created from natural materials found on site, such as stone, gravel, soil, logs, branches, and rocks. It takes about 2 hours to discover the whole trail.

If you’re staying in our apartment Vienna in Ičići, near Opatija, near a lot of the hiking trails, head from there along the mountain road towards the Visitor Center Poklon in the Učka Nature Park. The beginning of the trail is about a hundred meters from the center and is clearly marked. After some time, you will see the first signs of art creations. Each artistic intervention on the trail is marked by an image of a handprint on a rock.

Platak Trails

Platak – Snježnik – Guslica

One of the most interesting hiking trails suitable for the whole family is, for sure, the trail that starts at the Sports Center Platak and goes all the way to the peaks Snježnik and Guslica. To get to the sports center Platak take the highway Rijeka-Zagreb and turn right just before the pay-toll houses. There, take the old road Rijeka-Zagreb and continue until the crossroad that takes you to Platak Sports and Recreation Center.

From the lodging house Platak hop on the trail and follow the Rome trail. The trail takes you to the “Grlo” (meaning Throat in English) and follows the dirt road, then turn right onto a hiking trail that leads to the mountain hut, from which a steep ascent takes you to the peak Snježnik.

Jasenovica Trail 

The trail starts from the large parking lot at Platak Sports Center. Jasenovica (1338 m) is a wooded ridge on the western side of Platak. The trail ascends slowly through dense beech forest to the summit, from which there is a particularly beautiful view of the nearby peaks of the Risnjak National Park – Snježnik and Guslica. After descending from the summit, continue the hike, following the blue-white markings, across the fields of Veliki Pribeniš and Mali Pribeniš. It takes some 3 hours to complete it, and is very easy, suitable for families.

Whatever path you take, you’ll be greeted by the sweet fresh air of Kvarner and you’ll enjoy beautiful views of nature, sea and blue skies.