Absolute Biokovo Challenge

If people were asked to describe the trails of the Absolute Biokovo Challenge in a few short words, most would likely use these terms: incredible views, steep, challenging, breathtaking, wild, Biokovo never disappoints. However, even these words are not enough to convey the beauty, wilderness, and magic of one of the most beautiful and highest mountains in Croatia. The race traverses the most impressive parts of the mountain, which are also parts of the Nature Park. It ascends and descends steep paths carved and built into the cliffs themselves, meanders through small ridges between sinkholes, and winds through the forests of pine, beech, and mountain maple. The race starts from Brela, at sea level, where after one kilometer on the seaside promenade, the trail ascends above Brela to the 200-year-old Napoleon road, a protected cultural heritage of Croatia. After a few hundred meters from the Napoleon road, the trail descends to a single track to the small sub-Biokovo village of Topići, from where a steep ascent leads to the Paklina area, known for its century-old black pine forest. After a long descent through the forest, you reach Sokolove Staje, the first refreshment and checkpoint at around 12.6 km (time limit). From the refreshment point, through the church of St. Nicholas, the ascent to the peak of Biokovo begins, passing through the shelter Kale (1450 m/asl) to the summit Šćirovac (1619 m/asl), known as the most inaccessible peak in Croatia. From Šćirovac, over the pass Vraca to the church of St. Elijah, the race passes through perhaps the most impressive ridge in Croatia. On St. Elijah, there is only water as refreshment, with a maximum allowed quantity of half a liter per runner. From St. Elijah, there is a long descent to the sub-Biokovo village of Bast, where the second refreshment and checkpoint are located, at around 29 km (time limit). From Bast, the trail follows a panoramic Biokovo trail on gravel for several kilometers to the Miletin bor area, where the third refreshment and checkpoint are located. From there, the trail ascends steeply on a narrow path along the rock of Borovac to the mountain hut Slobodan Ravlić – Lokva (1445 m/asl). From Lokva, the trail winds over narrow ridges between sinkholes to the road below St. Jure, where the fourth refreshment and checkpoint are located (time limit). From there, a steep ascent leads to the highest Biokovo peak – St. Jure (1762 m/asl), which offers an incredible view in all directions. From St. Jure, the trail descends through the Troglav ridges (perhaps the most photogenic part of the trail, so be prepared for a photographer) to the mountain hut Pod Vošcem, where the finish line is. The trail is extremely physically and technically demanding, limiting the number of participants to 45. To participate in the race, a minimum of 420 ITRA performance points is required, or the competitor must have finished a race of similar difficulty that is not scored by ITRA (the organizer has the right to assess and decide on permitting participation). The time limit to finish the race is 14 hours. The trail has the certification of the International Skyrunning Federation, making it the only Skyrunning race in Croatia alongside the Sky category.

The race starts from Makar, an old village above Makarska, initially heading east towards another old sub-Biokovo village – Kotišina. From Kotišina, the trail ascends with numerous switchbacks to Pržinovac at around 1300m – a location commonly used as a paragliding takeoff point. From Pržinovac, with a view of Biokovo's highest peak, St. Jure, the undulating part of the trail leads to Biokovska cesta, where the refreshment and checkpoint are located (time limit). From there, the trail goes to Štrbina, the pass below Vošac. From Štrbina, a long descent with some shorter ascents leads to the second refreshment point and checkpoint (time limit) at the Mountain Hut Velbrski ledari in Veliko Brdo. A shorter asphalt section passes through the old village of Baškoviće, from where the ascent to Miletin Bor begins. From Miletin Bor, a long ascent passes by the rock of Veliki Borovac, leaving no one indifferent, leading to the house of Slobodan Ravlić (Lokva). Further, crossing the Sedmina ridge leads to the road below St. Jure, where the third refreshment and checkpoint are located (time limit). From the third checkpoint, there is a sharp ascent to the summit of Biokovo, St. Jure (1762 m), offering an incredible 360° panoramic view. Descending "down the ropes," crossing the Biokovska cesta, the trail heads to the final ascent to the second-highest peak in Biokovo, Veliki Troglav (1658 m). From Troglav, navigating the ridge between deep sinkholes, the trail leads to the path towards the mountain hut Pod Vošcem, where the finish line is located.

The race starts from Veliko Brdo, in front of the Mountain Hut Velbrski ledari, heading west towards the old sub-Biokovo village – Baškovići, from where it proceeds to Miletin Bor. From Miletin Bor, a long ascent passes by the rock of Veliki Borovac, leaving no one indifferent, leading to the house of Slobodan Ravlić (Lokva). Further, crossing the Sedmina ridge leads to the road below St. Jure, where the third refreshment and checkpoint are located (time limit). From the third checkpoint, there is a sharp ascent to the summit of Biokovo, St. Jure (1762 m), offering an incredible 360° panoramic view. Descending "down the ropes," crossing the Biokovska cesta, the trail heads to the final ascent to the second-highest peak in Biokovo, Veliki Troglav (1658 m). From Troglav, navigating the ridge between deep sinkholes, the trail leads to the path towards the mountain hut Pod Vošcem, where the finish line is located.

The race starts from Makro, an old village above Makarska, and ascends through a marked hiking trail to the mountain hut on Vošac at 1422 m above sea level. The trail offers a continuous view of Makarska and the central Dalmatian islands. Passing through a pine forest, the higher the ascent, the more the panoramic view opens towards the open sea islands, encompassing a larger part of the Dalmatian coast. Through numerous switchbacks, the trail reaches the Štrbina pass, from where the last 150 meters of elevation difference are covered through the steepest part of the trail to the mountain hut on Vošac, where the finish line is located. Once you catch your breath, be prepared to lose it again – this time due to the breathtaking views, as Vošac is one of the most beautiful and renowned viewpoints on the Adriatic coast. The trail is intended for experienced and fit runners, as well as those planning to complete the course at a slower and more leisurely pace, as the time limit to finish the race is 3 hours.