Dinara

At 1,831 m the highest peak in Croatia, on the border with Bosnia. The mountain gives its name to the Dinaric Alps that run down the Balkans and was a wartime frontline in the 1990s.

Dinara sits in Lika & Gorski Kotar, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the mountain is the reason most people stop.

Start early, tell someone your route, and turn back if the cloud comes down.

Practical info

• Entry: confirm entry fees and hours on the official site before you set out. They shift with the season, and some places shut altogether off-season.
• How to get there: Tap the map above for exact directions. In Croatian towns parking is usually signposted and paid, look for the blue P zones. If you are island hopping, leave buffer time for the ferries.

When to go

Dinara is at its best from May to October. June and September are the sweet spot, warm water, long days, and thinner crowds than high July and August. Winter shows a quieter, cheaper and surprisingly handsome country, especially inland and in the cities.

Photograph by John covers Croatia honestly. Every spot here is real, mapped and free to read. If this guide helped, pass it on to someone planning a trip.