Hike description
Dinara (1,831 m), Croatia’s highest mountain, draws hikers not only with its title but also with its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views. The ascent from the village of Glavaš is one of the classic and most accessible routes, suitable for most hikers in good shape.
Start of the route: Glavaš, the well, and the fortress ruins
The climb to Dinara (1,831 m) starts just beyond the village of Glavaš, at the mountain shelter of the same name at an elevation of 550 metres. Right in front of it there is a well with water – a practical place to top up your supply before the ascent.
The trail climbs gently toward the ruins of Glavaš Fortress, which once served as a defensive point against raids by the Ottoman Empire. Beyond the fortress, grassy slopes alternate with short wooded sections that provide welcome shade on sunny days.
Spring and the Martinova Košara shelter
At around 1,000 metres, you will come across the Gornji Glavaš spring, although it is often dry by late summer. From here, the route continues toward the Martinova Košara shelter (1,300 m). It does not offer much comfort, but in bad weather it can serve as a reliable refuge. The pastures nearby are often home to sheep and cows, and now and then you may also spot free-roaming horses, which add to the area’s calm, welcoming atmosphere.
However, you do not need to go all the way to the shelter – about half a kilometre before it, turn left and continue along a comfortable path climbing through grass to the edge of a vast sinkhole, an impressive karst formation.
Final ascent and summit views from Dinara
From the sinkhole, only 1.5 km and just under 200 metres of ascent remain to reach the summit of Dinara, where you will find a red shelter and a summit cross. Dinara has a broad summit area and offers magnificent panoramic views. In good visibility, you can even spot Sveto Brdo on the horizon, along with other peaks in the highest parts of the Velebit range.
Descent options from Dinara
From the summit of Dinara, you can descend the same way or choose a more westerly variant via the Drago Grubać shelter, which reconnects with the main route near the Gornji Glavaš spring.
Final tip: the source of the Cetina River
If you still have some time and energy after descending Dinara, head to the source of the Cetina River, one of the best-known karst springs in Croatia. It lies about 5 km from the hike’s starting point in the village of Glavaš. On foot, you can get there by a direct farm track; by car, you need to make a slight detour. The spring looks like a dark blue pool more than 100 metres deep and is one of the most photogenic places in the area.
Useful info
By car
Drive to the village of Glavaš. You can park right by the shelter, which is reached via a short gravel road that most passenger cars can handle.
By bus
There are infrequent bus connections between Knin and Split. Look for a service to the village of Kijevo. From there, it is a 7.5 km walk to Glavaš, or you can try hitchhiking on the lightly trafficked road from the village of Bajani.
A well at the start of the hike by the Glavaš shelter. Further on, the Gornji Glavaš spring at about 1,000 metres, though it may be dry by late summer. Be sure to carry enough water in your pack when heading up Dinara – the Croatian sun can be very hot even in the mountains.
From the summit of Dinara, you can descend the same way or choose a more westerly variant via the Drago Grubać shelter, which reconnects with the main route near the Gornji Glavaš spring.
