June 4, 2020 - Geopark Biokovo and Imotski Lakes has launched an initiative to join the UNESCO Global Geopark network. 

HRTurizam reports that UNESCO Geoparks are unique geographical areas of international geological significance governed by a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

Precisely with the aim of protection, sustainable development and tourism, the Association Geopark Imotski Lakes and the Public Institution Nature Park Biokovo launched an initiative to establish "Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes" to join UNESCO Global Geoparks.

One of the main ways to stimulate the economy and sustainable development of the future UNESCO Geopark is through geotourism, says Luka Kolovrat, president of Geopark Imotski Lakes, adding that by raising awareness and educating about the importance of geological heritage, UNESCO geoparks give the local community a sense of pride and strengthen their identification in the area they live.

“Geoparks attract a larger number of visitors with their activities and enable the launch of various production and service activities that contribute to the socio-economic development of the community. Not only geologically interesting places, but also various other ecological, archeological, historical and cultural sights contribute to geoparks, and they are supported and actively participated by local communities that know how to recognize and want to affirm their geological, historical and cultural heritage, mostly through the idea of geotourism. The opening of innovative crafts and new jobs encourages the creation of new sources of income within geotourism, strengthens the local community, and at the same time, the geological resources of the area remain protected," says Kolovrat.

The boundaries of the future Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes have already been determined, and their total area is 431 km2. They cover the areas of the municipalities of Imotski, Proložac, Podbablje, Zmijavce, Lokvičići, Lovreć, Zagvozd and Runovići.

"Our joint initiative stemmed from the fact that the Biokovo Nature Park and the Imotski region form a geologically, geomorphologically and landscape-unique area of ​​the Dinaric karst, and our wish is to use the potentials of both areas for the benefit of the local community," Kolovrat points out.

In general, when we talk about the area that will include the future Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, it is an area that in addition to attracting attention with its relief and geomorphological forms, or numerous karst phenomena, adorns a great wealth of flora and fauna including many endemic species.

In addition to the most attractive protected natural monuments and phenomena of world importance, the Red and Blue Lakes, there is also the Krčevac spring, which is currently the only confirmed locality of Proteus anguinus in the Imotski region. There is also the Zovnjača cave in the municipality of Podbablje, which was recently established as an important archaeological and biospeleological site.

Other sights include the Opačac spring, the Vrljika river, Ričice lakes, Galipovac, Knezovića and Mamića lakes, Prološko blato, Lokvičićka lakes, Dva oka and numerous other localities that were created during a long geological period by the tireless work of water. The ichthyofauna of the Imotski region is significant for several protected endemic species, and some of them are soft-mouthed trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris), Croatian roach (Rutilus basak), Imotski gaovica (Delminichthys adspersus), Squalius microlepis, and Cobitis.

So far, numerous systematic and complex geological surveys have been carried out, monitoring is being carried out, the public is being educated, brochures, guides, manuals, and educational materials have been printed.

The joint Geopark website is being developed, as well as the creation and marking geo-trails, and a joint Facebook page has been created, which is updated daily, points out Ivana Ćapin from the Association Geopark Imotski Lakes and adds: “Since we are aware of the great potential of the area which we live with all its features, together we embarked on this challenging project to become part of the international network of UNESCO Geoparks. As for our future joint activities, they are holding a presentation in November this year, then making a ten-year study with a management plan, and marking the geo-trail of the future Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark. And most importantly, in the summer of 2021, the arrival of the Commission and evaluation is expected, and after that the accession to the network of world Geoparks under UNESCO protection," emphasizes Ćapin.

The network of UNESCO World Geoparks consists of areas of the geological and geomorphological heritage of international importance, while the goal of the UNESCO World Geoparks program is to protect geological, geomorphological and other values of geoparks and manage the area through education and implementation of activities following sustainable development goals and for the benefit of the local community.

We currently have two UNESCO Geoparks in Croatia: the Papuk Nature Park and the Vis Archipelago, and we will soon find out whether the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark will become the third UNESCO Geopark in Croatia.

More information can be found HERE

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February 10, 2020 - The horseshoe-shaped 'Skywalk Ravna Vlaška' on Biokovo is nearly complete. One Split mountaineer tested out the new lookout before anyone else. 

Though it shouldn’t open until at least this spring, the new Biokovo skywalk welcomed one adventurous Split mountaineer who decided to test out the new floating glass promenade located in the Ravna Vlaška area, reports Dalmatinski Portal.

The glass walk over the abyss will be a great attraction that will bring even more visitors to this Nature Park. The construction of the glass lookout is part of a project called 'New Adrion - Promoting the Sustainable Use of the Natural Heritage of PP Biokovo'.

The project was announced two years ago. It is located 1228 meters above sea level and is envisaged as an upgrade of an existing lookout point in the Ravna Vlaška area of the Biokovo Nature Park. 

This lookout is designed as a prestressed reinforced concrete structure that cantilevers over a cliff overlooking the Makarska Riviera, Adriatic, islands, and open sea. A glass walkway has been laid on the primary concrete structure to provide a bird's eye view in all directions, creating a unique adrenaline experience. 

The potential of the Ravna Vlaška lookout point has been enhanced by an innovative architectural and engineering solution, which with its attractiveness, goes beyond the local tourist offer and contributes to the tourist potential of the whole of Dalmatia.

Within this part of the Biokovo skywalk project, which will be in the zone of the visitor infrastructure of Ravna Vlaška, the construction of a geological pillar with special infoblocks is envisaged. It is a three-dimensional representation of the cross-section of geological periods and the geological origin of Dalmatia's glorious Biokovo Nature Park, which will be made according to the inputs of the park's expert service.

The total cost of the construction of the lookout and the geological pillar, as well as its accompanying surveillance, stands at slightly more than 8 million kuna in total.

The visitor's centre of the Biokovo skywalk will also have an educational function and it will be located in the Župa Visitor Centre in the nearby Zagvozd municipality, which will be more specifically located in the old elementary school building. It will be a reception and interpretation-educational site for visitors to northern Biokovo, namely Zabiokovlje, which presents and interprets the geology, geographical features, flora, fauna and even the old mythology of this rich area.

The visitor centre will have the most spent on it, a massive 10.6 million kuna in total, and its construction could take as long as two years as is currently foreseen.

In addition to the old school which will be put back into good use, Rodićeva cesta (road) is also currently in dire condition, so that will also be arranged as a walking and cycling trail for nature lovers to use and enjoy, and even professional athletes will also be able to use it for training and fitness purposes. Four sites at which visitors can relax will be erected next to it, with the cost of this phase of the project amounting to 2.8 million kuna in total.

Rest areas will be set up along the entire Biokovo road (Biokovska cesta), and in addition to them, there will be so-called picnic areas with tables, booths, children's parks, outdoor school-oriented areas, panoramic telescopes, infopoints, 35 signal panels (three of which will be for the blind) and Bigbelly and Smartbelly smart waste bins (for mixed waste disposal and for the proper disposal of bottles and cans) that have a built-in compaction press and announce when they are full or when emptying is required via a built-in Wi-Fi system.

Two specialised shuttle buses will be acquired within the scope of the Biokovo skywalk project, along with 15 regular bikes and 15 electric bikes with GPS trackers and a charger for electric cars. In addition, the construction of the Makarska - Biokovo cable car is also planned.

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The construction of a glass platform, known as the Biokovo skywalk located over the edge of the imposing mountain began back in autumn of this year, marking the creation of a rather incredible structure over Makarska indeed.

As Slobodna Dalmacija writes on the 19th of December, 2019, the Biokovo skywalk is actually an arch of sorts that will be covered with glass, it is located twelve metres from the edge of a 1228 metre-high cliff, and is the only one of its kind in all of the Republic of Croatia, according to a report from Jutarnji list.

As was initially written last year, the so-called skywalk, a pedestrian-biking trail along the gigantic Biokovo, will set up infopoints and panoramic telescopes, refurbish and construct pleasant rest areas, playgrounds and a visitor centre, and also improve overall transportation. The project is scheduled to be completed and ready for visitors in 2021, with a total value of 34.2 million kuna.

The Biokovo skywalk is a horseshoe shaped walkway with a guardrail and floor made entirely of glass. The walkway will be formed on the reliance of multi-layer safety glass on the steel structure, and the entire platform will ''stick out'' over the edge of the cliff and, in addition to opening the already stunning view to the Adriatic sea, it will also enable the experience of taking in Biokovo's sheer size and beauty from a bird's eye view.

Within this part of the Biokovo skywalk project, which will be in the zone of the visitor infrastructure of Ravna Vlaška, the construction of a geological pillar with special infoblocks is envisaged. It is a three-dimensional representation of the cross-section of geological periods and the geological origin of Dalmatia's glorious Biokovo Nature Park, which will be made according to the inputs of the park's expert service.

The total cost of the construction of the vantage point and the geological pillar as well as its accompanying surveillance stands at slightly more than 8 million kuna in total, and its construction should take around ten months, as is currently predicted.

The visitor's centre of the Biokovo skywalk will also have an educational function and it will be located in the Župa Visitor Centre in the nearby Zagvozd municipality, which will be more specifically located in the old elementary school building. It will be a reception and interpretation-educational site for visitors to northern Biokovo, namely Zabiokovlje, which presents and interprets the geology, geographical features, flora, fauna and even the old mythology of this rich area.

The visitor centre will have the most spent on it, a massive 10.6 million kuna in total, and its construction could take as long as two years as is currently foreseen.

In addition to the old school which will be put back into good use, Rodićeva cesta (road) is also currently in dire condition, so that will also be arranged as a walking and cycling trail for nature lovers to use and enjoy, and even professional athletes will also be able to use it for training and fitness purposes. Four sites at which visitors can relax will be erected next to it, with the cost of this phase of the project amounting to 2.8 million kuna in total.

Rest areas will be set up along the entire Biokovo road (Biokovska cesta), and in addition to them, there will be so-called picnic areas with tables, booths, children's parks, outdoor school-oriented areas, panoramic telescopes, infopoints, 35 signal panels (three of which will be for the blind) and Bigbelly and Smartbelly smart waste bins (for mixed waste disposal and for the proper disposal of bottles and cans) that have a built-in compaction press and announce when they are full or when emptying is required via a built-in Wi-Fi system.

Two specialised shuttle buses will be acquired within the scope of the Biokovo skywalk project, along with 15 regular bikes and 15 electric bikes with GPS trackers and a charger for electric cars. In addition, the construction of the Makarska - Biokovo cable car is also planned.

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September 27, 2019 - The Makarska Riviera, Imotski and Vrgorac, which includes Biokovo, are actively working together to promote cycling tourism in the county.

HRTurizam writes that one of the projects that will promote this outdoor segment of tourism is the cycling spectacle ‘CRO Race’, which starts from Osijek on October 1st and rides to Biokovo and Makarska on the third day.

Specifically, CRO Race is organized by Top Sport Events, which has proven itself through the successful organization of all ‘Tour of Croatia’ editions over the past four years. This year, the race will include six stages, covering more than a thousand kilometers across Croatia. The race will be broadcast on six continents of the world.

When it was previously organized as ‘Tour of Croatia’, the race also passed through the Makarska Riviera, Biokovo and Zabiokovlje, and footage of the race itself was shown in 190 countries, which contributed globally to the promotion of this part of Split-Dalmatia County. It is the result of a collaboration between the Makarska Tourist Board and Spot, which through its brand "Trail - Full Cycling Experience", develops the Makarska Riviera, Biokovo and Zabiokovlje as a cycling tourism destination. 

"Beautiful nature, spectacular views, along with quality roads, accommodation facilities, and the gastronomic offer makes the Makarska Riviera and Biokovo ideal for cycling tourism. It is an enormous potential that can be greatly developed with a serious approach and program,” announced the race organizer Vladimir Miholjevic.

"We will cover all places of the Makarska Riviera, and cyclists will go through all their centers. It will be spectacular! Thanks to fantastic television footage from earlier races that toured the world, a group of UK reporters arrived, riding across Biokovo on a fascinating road leading to the very top. They were thrilled! They wrote a great report, published on 7-8 pages, a subtle, honest, personal experience. Those of us who live in this destination realize that we really do not appreciate it enough only when others open our eyes. Cycling tourism can only do good to the destination, and discover it in a new way, with a different perspective,” he explains, pointing out that it is necessary to develop infrastructure that includes cycling paths, as well as other services that cyclists need.

Miholjevic notes that he participated in the meeting with the tourist board and hotelier and is pleased that the potential has been recognized and that there is a will to develop it.

"The Makarska Riviera, Imotski and Vrgorac is a unique area along Biokovo, ideal for the development of cycling tourism, so we have contracted with Spot, who will then propose measures that we will take to raise the offer to a higher level, complement it with all that the modern cycling tourist needs, and promote it. The development of cycling tourism is one of the strategic plans for the development of our destinations for the development of the post-season and pre-season,” said Hloverka Novak Srzić, Director of the Makarska Tourist Board.

Spot is trusted with developing the destination for cycling tourism. “We are currently reviewing the condition of existing trails and looking for new ones. After determining the complexity of the route, we go to different stakeholders. Of course, it defines how the route is prepared, its equipment, services, and other things. We also educate business people who are familiar with the specifics of our guests, as well as the local governments, who will be educated on ways to maintain the route,” explains Karlo Kucan, the company's director.

"After that, there is the promotional part in which we include hotels, prepare photo, video and printed materials, and in 2020 and 2021, we will present the Makarska Riviera at four tourist fairs. The destination cannot be branded overnight,” Kucan emphasizes, adding that “we cannot have adrenaline parks on Biokovo because of the karst, which does not allow it, but we have an excellent opportunity to develop mountain biking. On the coastal part, we are somewhat restricted by the traffic on the highway, but that is why the hinterland of Biokovo is an uncut diamond for cycling tourism."

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May 4, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 43 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 43 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 43 moved from Imotski to Makarska via Biokovo.

45 kilometres for the day: 30 km bike ride from Imotski to Turija, followed by 5 km on foot from Turija to Makarska to continue forming the ‘M’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 43 started in Zagvozd. Marko stopped to have coffee at the Red Carpet cafe.

And it wouldn't be a trip to Imotski without noticing their biggest symbol - Mercedes.

The team at Actor's Square in Zagvozd.

An old Turkish well in Zagvozd that holds regular water polo tournaments. 

Climbing up Biokovo.

Lacko making his way up with an impressive backdrop behind him.

Sv. Jure road.

Lacko fighting the wind.

Then they met a group of Czech tourists who decided to leave their van and climb afoot for the last 30 minutes.

Mislav, Lacko and Tea above Makarska.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Makarska.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 44, as Lacko moves from Makarska to Bol.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

Dalmatia was hit with the bitter taste of winter (and bura) on Tuesday as temperatures dropped around the region. 

Poskok (horned viper, Vipera ammodytes) is the most dangerous European snake.

While a meeting with a horned viper is unsettling enough, is there another type of snake living in the mountains above the Makarska Riviera?

A potentially catastrophic situation above Makarska was avoided thanks to the quick response of rescuers yesterday.

A new 3-year project will revamp Biokovo Nature Park.