Biokovo Nature Park
Biokovo Nature Park sits on Croatia’s southern Dalmatian coast. It became a nature park in 1981. The Biokovo mountains rise about 1,500 meters above the Makarska Riviera, giving wide views of the sea and nearby islands. It’s a popular spot for hikers, with many trails through olive groves, vineyards and pine forests.
The Biokovo massif runs about 36 km along the coast and 9 km inland. It features limestone rocks, sheer cliffs, caves and sinkholes. The most popular hike is to Vosac (1,421 m), about 2.5 km from Makarska. The park covers 19,550 hectares, and its highest point is Sveti Jure at 1,762 m. Because the area is fairly isolated, it hosts unique plants, including the Biokovo bellflower. The Kotisina Botanical Garden lies nearby, about 3 km from Makarska. Part of Zabiokovlje is inside the park.
Geology: about 65 million years ago, Africa pushed into Europe, lifting the mountains including Biokovo. The ancient ocean Tethys largely disappeared, and today the sea is the Mediterranean. The lower areas near the sea and the Zagorje side are mainly Flysch sediments; the higher parts are carbonate rocks.
Vegetation: a mix of Mediterranean and Central European plants, including sage, lilies, pines and other hardy plants.
Coordinates: 43°20′N 17°04′E.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 18:36 (CET).