Choose this if you're coming as a group and would like to charter the whole boat to yourselves.
This 8-day route sails one-way from Split to Dubrovnik, tracing a string of islands most travelers only see from a plane window: Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni islands, Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet, and the Pelješac peninsula. Each morning starts with a trail run, anywhere from 4 to 8 miles (6.5 to 13 km), before the boat carries the group to the next stop. Days mix ancient villages, olive oil tasting, wine stops, and swims in coves that are hard to reach any other way, with Mljet National Park and some of the Adriatic's clearest lagoons among the highlights. We disembark in Dubrovnik, ready for the old town's marble streets after a week spent mostly in trail shoes. With the whole catamaran and its 3-person crew to yourselves, and being a one-way, it comes at a higher price than the round-trip route.
We board in Split and set sail for Brač Island, dropping anchor in Postira after a relaxed crossing of 12 NM (13.8 mi), roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Along the way, we stop for a swim in Splitska Bay. Postira makes for an easy first night, with a walkable waterfront and small tavernas serving Dalmatian classics before we settle in aboard.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
We run from Postira through the village of Dol to Škrip, Brač’s oldest settlement at roughly 3,000 years old, following part of a traditional Easter procession route. A stop at the Olive Oil Museum comes with lunch before a van brings everyone back to the boat, which sails on to Jelsa on Hvar Island (26 NM / 29.9 mi, 3.5 to 5 hours), with a swim break at Lovrečina Beach along the way.
Running: 9 km (5.6 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
From Jelsa, we run up onto Hvar’s ridge and down through the villages of Pitve and Vrisnik, past vineyards, lavender fields, and old stone houses, with a stop at Terra Arhaica in Vrisnik to taste local wine and learn about the island’s farming traditions. From there we sail to the Pakleni islands (20 NM / 23 mi, 3 to 4 hours), with swim stops at Zečevo and Ždrilac. Evenings are spent anchored off Vinogradišće or Palmižana, with an optional water taxi into Hvar town.
Running: 13 km (8.1 mi), +700 m (+2,297 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
For anyone still feeling the last two days, today’s run is a gentle loop around Sveti Klement, the largest of the Pakleni islands. We then sail to Vela Luka on Korčula Island (18 NM / 20.7 mi, about 3 hours), usually with the wind at our back. We break up the crossing with swims at Paklenjaci and Proizd, a beach that’s a strong contender for the best on the Adriatic, then try for a wine tasting on Korčula before settling in for the night.
Running: 6.5 km (4.0 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
A shorter run around Vela Luka’s Small Trail eases us into the day before we sail on to Lastovo (18 NM / 20.7 mi, about 3 hours), with a swim in the lagoon between Mali and Veliki Pržnjak along the way. The evening is spent in Zaklopatica Bay, with dinner at a local tavern in Lučica, a fitting introduction to an island where time seems to move slower than anywhere else on this trip.
Running: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
Lastovo’s quieter trails make for a scenic run through pine forest and past the island’s landmark chimneys, known locally as fumari, with wide-open Adriatic views the whole way. From there we sail to Mljet (23 NM / 26.5 mi, about 4 hours), known for its national park and saltwater lakes, with swim stops at Lastovnjaci and Saplun. We spend the night in Pomena, a small village on Mljet’s western tip.
Running: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
Mljet National Park delivers one of the best runs of the trip, weaving through pine forest, past saltwater lakes, and up to the Montokuc viewpoint for sweeping views. A stop at the Benedictine monastery on an islet in Veliko Jezero adds some history to the morning. We then sail to Šipan (25 NM / 28.8 mi, 4 to 5 hours), with a swim at Pržina Cove on the Pelješac peninsula, regularly ranked among the Adriatic’s best beaches, along the way.
Running: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Catamaran
The final leg is a short, easy sail from Šipan to Dubrovnik (13 to 15 NM / 15 to 17.3 mi, under 2 hours), with breakfast served on board as we go. There’s no running or swimming scheduled today. We disembark by 9 am, ready to trade trail shoes for Dubrovnik’s marble streets and city walls.
Meals: Breakfast
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Both routes are beginner-friendly, though a base level of trail running fitness helps. Daily runs average around 6.2 miles (10 km), with up to 2,789 ft (850 m) of elevation gain on the longest day, mostly on rocky gravel roads and singletrack, taking 2 to 4 hours depending on the day.
With two guides typically on hand, the group can split into faster and more relaxed paces, and anyone who’d rather skip a day can stay aboard, swim, or join another activity instead.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more adventure tours in Croatia here!
Clothing:
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Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Croatia running tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Croatia running tour is Split. To get there, most people fly into Split Airport (SPU). From there, you can take a shuttle service, taxi, or rent a car to reach Split.
You will meet your guide in Split on Day 1.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.