HIGHLANDER Velebit celebrates 10 years with more than 600 participants from 18 countries

More than 600 participants from 18 countries gathered on Croatia’s Velebit mountain for the 10th HIGHLANDER event, returning to the place where the hiking challenge began a decade ago.

This year’s participants came from across Croatia and from the United States, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Serbia, Sweden, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, North Macedonia and Ireland. Sixty percent were men and 40 percent were women.

The age range stood out. Zlatko, 74, took part in the longest format, known as 5DAY, while Vid was just three years old. Experienced hikers, first-time participants, families, friends and people attending alone all shared the same event.

HIGHLANDER began with a simple idea: spend several days in the mountains, carry the necessary equipment and experience Velebit at a slower, more direct pace. The event is not a race, and finishing time does not determine success. For one person, the challenge may be covering 100 kilometres. For another, it may be spending a first night in the mountains or continuing to walk when the trail becomes difficult.

The 5DAY route covers about 100 kilometres, starting at Zavižan and passing through Northern Velebit National Park and along the Premužić Trail toward Baške Oštarije. It then crosses Ramin Korito and Panos, enters Paklenica National Park and ends at a beach in Starigrad. Shorter formats allow participants to spend one, two or three days on the trail, while a one-day route links the sea with Paklenica Canyon. Much of the experience unfolds between the start and finish, through conversations, shared breaks, fatigue and help when someone needs it.