SUP and HIKE in CROATIA
MOUNTAINS AND ISLAND ADVENTURE | STAND UP PADDLEBOARD, HIKE & CLIMB
6 NIGHT ADVENTURE FROM £1350
Gutsy Girls exclusive women only paddleboarding and hiking retreat
Two centre adventure, explore islands and mountains in one trip!
SUP and sea kayak between islands and discover beautiful bays and beaches
Cycle through villages and immerse yourself in island life
Delicious food prepared by local hosts in agriturismo
2.5 days hiking in the Velebit mountain range
Afternoon rock climbing with expert guides, beginners and experienced
Beautiful location, away from mass tourism
THE RETREAT
Join Gutsy Girls in Croatia for our stand up paddleboarding and hiking adventure holiday. We’re heading to the Zadar Archipelago islands and Velebit mountains for a women only holiday filled with adventure!
This multi-centre holiday takes you off the tourist radar to discover remote and tranquil Mediterranean islands bathed in sunshine and surrounded by crystal clear waters and lush landscapes, followed by hiking the largest mountain range in Croatia, exploring untouched and wild terrain.
Our multi-activity adventure is the perfect combination of water and land-based activities, exploring beautiful islands by stand up paddleboard, hiking to the peaks of the Velebit mountains and an afternoon of rock climbing for all levels.
You’ll need previous SUP experience to join this adventure, check out our beginner SUP holiday in Croatia
HIKING
We’ll start our week trekking through the diverse landscape of Velebit, one of the best preserved natural wilderness areas in south-eastern Europe. We’ll be exploring the Paklenica Nature Park, an area of outstanding beauty yet to be discovered by the masses due to its remoteness and lack of English language guide books.
Paklenica will serve as our base for the mountain part of our adventure. We’ll hike from Starigrad to our mountain hut where we’ll set down our bags, allowing us to hike fast and light. Over the two and a half days in the mountains, we’ll explore the Paklenica canyon, trek to the peaks of Velebit for incredible views and enjoy an afternoon of rock climbing.
ROCK CLIMBING
We’ve teamed up with fantastic climbing guides to offer an afternoon of climbing for all levels. The Paklenica gorge has hundreds of sport climbing routes, up to 30 metres high.
Over the course of four hours, we’ll climb up to five routes. This will be a great introduction to rock climbing for beginners and we can offer more challenging routes for more experienced climbers!
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING
We’ll then move on to the island of Molat. With just over 200 permanent residents, this sleepy island is the perfect base for those looking to reconnect with nature, slow down and immerse themselves in island life.
For the next 3.5 days of our adventure we’ll circumnavigate the island, hopping between islands and discovering hidden bays and beaches. Each day is a different adventure, we’ll sup between 6-20 km per day, with plenty of breaks for swimming in the crystal clear waters, snorkelling and a couple of beach games and SUP games too.
This adventure is created for intermediate paddlers with prior SUP experience, this ensures we can maximise our 3.5 days on the water. You will improve your SUP skills and build water confidence, with our coaches providing top-notch instruction.
During our SUP tours, we'll cover efficient paddling techniques and various turning methods, including step-back turns, in a fun, engaging environment. It's the perfect opportunity to advance your paddleboarding in a supportive setting where it's okay to make a splash!
REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING
• You’ve taken a lesson from a qualified instructor and have learned SUP techniques.
• You’ve paddled at least 10 times, with at least 20 hours on a SUP.
• You’ve paddled at least 10 km previously.
• You can turn your board with a cross-bow stroke
• You’re comfortable with standing on the board for several hours at a time
• You can demonstrate good board control, especially in windy conditions, and are capable of knee paddling against headwinds.
• You can self-rescue and are comfortable with falling in the water.
• You’re confident being on open water.
• You’re able to swim 100 metres in open water
• Have a good to high fitness level and a positive attitude towards challenge
CYCLING
We’ve included a great morning of cycling on empty roads across the island. You don’t need to be an expert cyclist to enjoy this route, we’ll go at a gentle pace to take in the views.
Our bike ride is completely optional!
TRIP LEVEL - MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
WHAT TO EXPECT
This adventure, perfect for those with a good to high fitness level, combines exploring stunning islands and mountains, rated from moderate to challenging. It's an intense, activity-packed week, but you don't need to be an elite athlete to enjoy it.
Activity Duration: Daily active time of 6-7 hours.
SUP Distances: You’ll be paddling 10-12km.
Hiking: 6km-9km hikes with ascents up to 800m on uneven terrain.
Cycling: 9km cycling route each way, featuring climbs and descents - optional activity.
Climbing: You’ll learn to rock climb - so a head for heights is a must!
Multi-Sport Day: Embrace a full day with 18km of cycling, 8km of paddling, and a 5km hike. It's a rigorous day, but cycling and hiking are optional.
Consecutive Activity: Prepare for 5 days of back-to-back of hiking, paddleboarding and varied physical activities. The week is action-packed which can be quite demanding.
THE ADVENTURE
View the itinerary as a taster of what to expect on your week. Where we paddle each day will be determined by the conditions, we may take you on adventures we haven’t written about here!
DAY 1 | ROCK CLIMBING AND HIKE
After a short transfer to the mountains, we’ll start our hike up through the Paklenica Canyon for our climbing lesson.
Paklenica has over 100 sport climbing routes, reaching up to 30m in height! All equipment, including shoes, are provided, along with expert coaching to get the most from your afternoon of climbing.
Never climbed before? No problem, you’ll be in great company and you’ll have a great first taste of the sport with us!
After climbing, we’ll hike up to our mountain hut for dinner!
DAY 2 | FULL DAY HIKE
After breakfast we’ll hike for 3-4 hours through the wild and varied terrain of the Velebit, passing through oak forest to the Struge valley. We’ll take a break for lunch before we continue to the peaks of Velebit, aiming for Vaganjski Vrh, the highest of the mountain range with incredible views.
We’ll enjoy lunch, taking in the vistas and unspoilt beauty of the national park before heading back towards our mountain hut for dinner.
The hike will be around 14km / 1300m altitude and will take us 6-8 hours.
DAY 3 | HIKE and sup
After breakfast, we’ll pack our bags and hike back down to Starigrad (7 km). From there we’ll be transferred to Zadar to catch a catamaran to Molat.
After checking into your apartment and lunch we’ll have our first SUP lesson. Our first water session will focus on paddling techniques to improve efficiency, learning new turning techniques and building your confidence on the board, with great coaching from our instructor.
Dinner will be at the Agriturismo run by a local family.
DAY 4 | SUP TOUR
Midweek relaxed day to help us recharge, after a later breakfast we’ll spend the morning SUPing. We’ll circumnavigate Brgulje's little island. We have a short walk and swim in Brgulje. We head back to Molat where late lunch is served in one of the family restaurants.
After lunch, you’ll cover some more SUP skills in at the local beach.
Dinner will be served in a local restaurant.
DAY 5 | SUP CYCLE HIKE
After a tasty breakfast sampling local jams and honey, we’ll cycle 9 km across the island, exploring villages along the route to Zapuntel. From Zapuntel, we’ll paddle 3 km on our first island crossing to the island of Ist.
Here, we’ll hike (1h) to the highest point, reaching the Snow Lady chapel to take in the views of the surrounding area and a great chance to see the Velebit mountain range we’ll be hiking later in the week.
We’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the water’s edge and have a chance to learn some traditional Croatian beach games.
In the afternoon we’ll paddle back to Molat and cycle back across the island for dinner.
DAY 6 | SUP TOUR
Today we’ll paddle to the island Brščak for a snorkelling exploration of the southern side of the island. With its crystal clear waters and marine life, it's the perfect morning!
We’ll paddle to Dugi Otok to explore the ex military submarine caves used in the Cold War - at150m deep, it's a great structure to explore.
We'll follow the coast line and cross over to Zverinac.
Day 7 | Home
We’ll catch the catamaran back at 06:50 arriving in Zadar at 07:50. Many guests choose to explore Zadar until their flights. There is a place to store your luggage near the port.
Please view our Itinerary as a rough guide to the week! We want to provide the best possible experience for our guests, so may make changes to take advantage of great conditions. We are heading out on an adventure!
ACCOMMODATION
For the mountain part of our trip, we’ll be staying in a basic mountain hut. This will be in a 4-bed dorm, with full bathroom facilities. Private options are not available at the mountain huts, however after a long day hiking and climbing, you’ll be fast asleep in no time!
On the island of Molat, we’ll be staying in family-run apartments, with lounges, kitchens and outdoor spaces, just moments from the water.
Choose between a shared twin room (we’ll buddy you up with another Gutsy Girl) or choose your own private single room.
FOOD
All week we’ll be fuelling up on fresh and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Our dinners are extra special as we work with local families and restaurants, who love to host our groups, serving up mountains of incredible food and giving you a real opportunity to immerse yourself in Island life.
We cater for all dietary needs!
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Our passionate guides have researched and crafted our experiences to ensure every part of your trip is filled with adventure!
Our providers ensure that your travel has only a positive affect on local culture, avoiding mass tourism and protecting the environment. We proudly work with family-run businesses that live locally and tourism is only one of their sources of income.
2024
Sat 5 Oct - Fri 11 October
Sat 12 Oct - Fri 18 October
These are the only dates available in 2024.
PRICE
Triple £1350 | Twin £1400 | Private £1500
PAYMENTS
30% deposit required to secure your spot
Remaining balance is due 45 days before your trip
WHAT'S INCLUDED
4 nights accommodation in apartment on the island of Molat
2 nights accommodation in mountain hut - private room not available
3.5 days SUP
Expert SUP coaching; learn racing techniques and turns!
Guided hikes on islands
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Cycling tour and bike hire
2 days guided hiking in mountains
3 hours climbing with expert coaching
Climbing equipment
Paklenica National Park entrance tickets
Minibus transfer Zadar to Paklenica National Park
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Tips for your guide.
Drinks in the mountain hut
Return boat tickets Zadar to Molat
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The closest airport is Zadar.
Ryanair has many flights from the UK to Zadar.
You may find that you’ll need to arrive a night before the start of your trip to be in Zadar ready for meeting us.
Zadar airport is around 20 minutes from the centre by taxi or 30 minutes by bus.
You could also fly to and from Split, it will take 2-4 hours by bus to get to Zadar.
Once you’ve secured your spot, you’ll be invited to join a WhatsApp group so you can arrange to share Airbnbs, hotels or taxis with other guests.
See our FAQs for lots more travel information.
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Flights are not included in our adventures.
We begin in the mountains.
Saturday October 5 & 12
Our team will collect you from one of two pick up points and times:
10:15am Old Town Zadar - in front of the eastern pedestrian entrance to the city wall.
11:30am at Zadar airport. This transfer is organised for the Ryanair flight from London Stansted.
STN 07:50 ✈ ZAD 11:10 | Ryanair FR8388
Friday October 11 & 18
On the last day of the trip you will return to Zadar old town at 07:50 am. This is when your trip with us ends.
There is a direct flight back to London on this afternoon, we would recommend enjoying a day in Zadar (you can leave your luggage at the left luggage place near the ferry port) and then heading back to the airport for the following flight:
ZAD 18:20 ✈ STN 19:45 | Ryanair FR8389
See our FAQs for lots more travel information.
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• You’ve taken a lesson from a qualified instructor and have learned SUP techniques.
• You’ve paddled at least 10 times, with at least 20 hours on a SUP.
• You’ve paddled at least 10 km previously.
• You can turn your board with a cross-bow stroke
• You’re comfortable with standing on the board for several hours at a time
• You can demonstrate good board control, especially in windy conditions, and are capable of knee paddling against headwinds.
• You can self-rescue and are comfortable with falling in the water.
• You are confident being on open water.
• You’re able to swim 100 metres in open water
• Have a good to high fitness level and a positive attitude towards challenge
-
This adventure, perfect for those with a good to high fitness level, combines exploring stunning islands and mountains, rated from moderate to challenging. It's an intense, activity-packed week, but you don't need to be an elite athlete to enjoy it.
Activity Duration: Daily active time of 6-7 hours.
SUP Distances: You’ll be paddling 10-12km.
Hiking: 6km-9km hikes with ascents up to 800m on uneven terrain.
Cycling: 9km cycling route each way, featuring climbs and descents - optional activity.
Climbing: You’ll learn to rock climb - so a head for heights is a must!
Multi-Sport Day: Embrace a full day with 18km of cycling, 8km of paddling, and a 5km hike. It's a rigorous day, but cycling and hiking are optional.
Consecutive Activity: Prepare for 5 days of back-to-back of hiking, paddleboarding and varied physical activities. The week is action-packed which can be quite demanding.
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The Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun, friendly and supportive women from 18-70+, we never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!
As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-60 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s.
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Over 95% of our guests join our trips solo. With activity-filled days and group dinners, you’ll be in great company throughout the trip.
Once you’ve booked your spot, you’ll be invited to a WhatsApp group, and many guests arrange to meet at the airport before flying to us, some choose to share a hotel at the airport.
If you book a twin or triple room, you’ll be sharing with another Gutsy Girl.
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We work with a fantastic local family in an agriturismo which prepares all our breakfast, lunches and dinners.
We can cater for all dietary requirements.
The food in the mountains will be more simple but once you arrive in the islands it will be a feast!
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Mountain
We’ll be staying in a basic mountain hut. This is traditional to the Croatia mountains, it’s rustic and very simple.
The beds are comfortable beds. You’ll have access to hot showers too.
You’ll be spending most of the day out hiking and in the evenings we wrap up warm and sit on the terrace to enjoy the views.
While the hut is simple, it does have it’s own swimming pool (unheated)
We cannot offer private rooms, you will be in 4 bed rooms (bunkbeds).
There is no wifi or phone signal at the hut.
Island
You’ll be staying in apartments dotted across the small town of Molat, all within 5-10 minutes walk for the harbour and where we meet for food.
The apartments are simple, spacious, light and clean, they also have air conditioning.
There will be 1-4 guests in each apartment.
We spend minimal time in the accommodation. You’ll be out paddling most of the day, we’ll all meet for meals at the agriturismo.
Most of our guests enjoys the two little cafe/bars on the island or spend time at the local (pebble) beach.
The availability of different apartments will change from trip to trip, you can see what is available when booking.
You can choose from private apartments, private rooms, twin rooms and triple.
Only our private apartments have ensuites, all other options you will share bathrooms. This information is available to you at the time of booking.
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Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!
Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.
For this trip your mountain guide will be female and your SUP guide will be male. You will be accompanied by a female Gutsy Girls host too!
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In the unlikely event that weather conditions prohibit us from paddling, we will arrange alternative activities - sadly we cannot control the weather but we can keep our fingers firmly crossed!
We will ensure there are fun activities for you to take part in even if the weather is not ideal, and we cannot provide refunds for a change of activities due to weather or other conditions outside our control.
None of our itineraries are set in stone - we will always move things around to make the most of the conditions we have on any given day.
REGISTER INTEREST FOR 2024
Don’t miss out! Sign up for early access to our 2024 summer trips!
PACKING LIST
WE PROVIDE:
20l dry bags
SUP boards, leash, carbon fibre paddles & safety gear
Bike helmets
Snorkelling equipment
You will need:
Equipment
Hiking boots
Watershoes
30 - 40 litre rucksack
Hiking poles (optional)
Water bottle(s) or camelback - at least 2 litres capacity
Rehydration tablets if the weather looks hot
Head torch
Microfibre / lightweight towel
Clothing:
MOUNTAINS
Hiking Boots
Warm hat
Buff
Sweat wicking t-shirt for hiking (we recommend lightweight merino wool)
Fleece (mid-layer)
Waterproof jacket (hard shell jacket)
Waterproof trousers
Lightweight insulted jacket (synthetic or down)
Swimwear (there is a pool in the mountain - but it is unheated!)
Warm clothes for the evenings in the mountains (sportswear is fine!)
Hiking socks
Flipflops or lightweight slippers for the hut
Quick drying leggings / or shorts
Cap or wide-brimmed hat
Sleepwear (shared room in the mountains!)
Microfibre / lightweight towel
ISLAND
Swimwear (a couple of sets)
UV protection t-shirt / rash vest
Neoprene aqua shoes with a good sole (shoes you can get wet and protect feet on sharp rocks and sea urchins).
NO wetsuit booties - difficult to take on and off
NO flip flops - not secure enough
Quick-drying leggings / or shorts
Long sleeve top(s) - to protect you from the sun and spiky vegetation on hikes
Quick dry t-shirts
Cap / sun hat
Sunglasses - with floating strap
Hiking boots
Casual clothes / sports wear for hiking and cycling
Water bottle(s) or water bladder - at least 2 litres capacity
Snacks - NB local shopping options are limited
Towel - a lightweight one is fine, just for taking to the beach
Waterproof case for phone
Raincoat and waterproof trousers (weather dependent but good to pack in case)
Rehydration tablets / electrolytes (if hot weather forecast)
Clothes for the evenings on the islands - casual - 2 sets is adequate
Sandals and / or trainers for evenings (weather dependent)
Personal
Earplugs (optional)
Snacks - We’d suggest a bag of sweets, 2-4 energy/cereal bars (for the mountains)
Toiletries
Personal medication
Insect repellent
Bite cream
Sun block (often not available to buy on Molat)
Cash (we recommend €50-100 - NB no ATM on the island)
Travel adapter (standard European 2-pin plug)
Optional:
Shorty wetsuit/long john wetsuit - optional but recommended for autumn trips
Carabiner(s) - for attaching items to your board
Gloves for paddling
Compeed / plasters
Small dry bags (for organisation within provided dry bags)
SPF chapstick
Tea bags / coffee for your apartment!