Crazy Roads and ‘Crusty’ Wines

Biokovo Nature Park is one of those places where the journey is at least as good as the destination. In fact, in this instance, I think the journey is actually more ‘thrilling’ than the ‘thrill’ itself. To get to Biokovo, it’s a hair-raising half hour journey along Croatia’s highest road (1,744 metres above sea level). The road is paved but it’s narrow and winding and there are some sheer drops in places, and a couple of 23% gradients, but there are plenty of laybys to allow vehicles to pass and you just need to drive slowly. If you edge your way along the road, the mountains unfold in front of you and the views are breath-taking.
But that’s just the journey. At the end of it, there’s the Skywalk – a crazy semi-circular steel and glass viewing platform that juts out 11 metres from the edge of a cliff. The panorama is spectacular, offering views across Hvar and, on a clear day, as far as Italy. And because the platform is made of glass (even the floor), if you look at your feet, you can see all the way down the craggy mountain. Highly recommended unless you have vertigo!
To manage numbers, tickets to enter the park and the Skywalk must be booked in advance. Tickets can be purchased up to 5 days before visiting. In high season, I advise booking as early as possible. Book online.

The pretty village of Zivogosce makes a good place for a rest stop. Stretch your legs with a stroll along the seafront promenade towards the huge TUI Blue Hotel on the beach. You can follow this path along the beach until you get to the mermaid statue, after which you can head back to the car.