Absolute Biokovo Challenge

– Extreme Challenge: 45.4 km, 4480m+
The race starts from Brela , at sea level, where after one kilometer on the seaside promenade the trail goes above Brela to the 200-year-old Napoleon Road, which is a protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. After a few hundred meters from Napoleon Road, the trail descends onto a singletrack to the small village of Topići at the foot of Biokovo, from where it climbs steeply to the Pakline area - known for its centuries-old black pine forest. A long descent through the forest leads to Sokolove Staje, the first refreshment and control point at about 12.6 km (time limit).

From the refreshment point, via the church of St. Nicholas, the climb to the top of Biokovo begins, via the Kale shelter (1450 m/nm) to the Šćirovac peak (1619 m/nm), which is known as the most inaccessible peak in Croatia. From Šćirovac, via the Vraca pass to the church of St. Elijah, you pass through perhaps the most sheltered ridge in Croatia. At Sv. Ilija, there is a refreshment point with only water, the maximum allowed quantity being half a liter per runner. From Sv. Ilija, there is a long descent to the village of Bast below Biokovo, where there is another refreshment point and a checkpoint, at about 29km (time limit). From Bast, the trail follows the panoramic Biokovo trail on macadam for several kilometers to the Miletin bor area, where it turns steeply along a narrow path along the rock of Borovec all the way to the Slobodan Ravlić – Lokva mountain hut (1445 m/nm).

From Lokva, the trail winds over narrow ridges between sinkholes to the road below Sv. Jure, where the fourth refreshment point and checkpoint (time limit) are. From there, a steep climb leads to the highest peak of Biokovo – Sv. Jure (1762 m/nm from where there are incredible views in all directions. From Sv. Jure, the trail descends over the Troglav ridges (perhaps the most photogenic part of the trail, so be prepared to be a photographer) to the Pod Vošcem mountain hut, where the finish line is.

The course is extremely physically and technically demanding, and therefore the number of competitors is limited to 45 , and in order to compete in the race, a minimum of 420 ITRA performance points is required , or the competitor must have completed a race of similar difficulty, but not scored according to ITRA (the organizer has the right to assess and decide whether to allow participation). The time limit to complete the race is 14 hours.

The course is certified by the International Skyrunning Federation, which, along with the Sky course, makes it the only Skyrunning race in Croatia.

– Sky Challenge, 27.2 km, 2900m+
The race starts from Makar, an old village above Makarska , and first heads east towards another old village under Biokovo – Kotišina, from where it climbs along numerous serpentines towards Pržinovac at around 1300m – a location that otherwise serves as a paraglider take-off point. From Pržinovac, with a view of the highest peak of Biokovo, Sv. Jur, the undulating part of the route leads to the Biokovo road, where there is a refreshment point and a checkpoint (time limit). From there it goes to Štrbina , a pass below Vošac . From Štrbina, a long descent with slightly shorter climbs leads to another refreshment point and checkpoint (time limit), which is the Velbrskih ledara Lodge in Veliko Brdo. A shorter asphalt section leads through the old village of Baškovići, from where the climb to Miletin Bor takes place. From Miletin Bor, a long climb passes the Veliki Borovec rock that leaves no one indifferent, from where it exits next to the Slobodan Ravlić (Lokva) house . Further, over the Sedmina ridge , it exits onto the road below Sv. Jure where the third refreshment and control point (time limit). From the third control there is a steep climb to the top of Biokovo, Sv. Jure (1762 m), from where there is an incredible 360° view. Descending "down the ropes", you cross the Biokovo road and start the last climb, to the second highest peak of Biokovo, Veliki Troglav (1658 m). From Troglav, winding along the ridge between deep sinkholes, you reach the trail towards the mountain hut Pod Vošcem, where the finish line is.

In addition to the steep climb, the trail is also demanding due to the very difficult terrain, so we recommend it to well-prepared and experienced runners. The time limit to complete this trail is 9 hours.

The course is certified by the International Skyrunning Federation, which, along with the Extreme course, makes it the only Skyrunning race in Croatia.

– High Challenge, 14 km, 1720m+
The race starts from Veliko Brdo, in front of the Velobrskih Ledara Mountain Lodge, and heads west towards the old village of Baškovići, from where you reach Miletin Bor. From Miletin Bor, you climb a long way past the rock of Veliko Borovec , which leaves no one indifferent, and exit next to the Slobodan Ravlić (Lokva) house . Further, over the Sedmina ridge , you exit onto the road below Sv. Jure, where the third refreshment and checkpoint (time limit) take place. From the third checkpoint, you climb sharply to the top of Biokovo, Sv. Jure (1762 m), from where you have an incredible 360° view. By descending "down the ropes", you cross the Biokovo road and start the last climb, to the second highest Biokovo peak, Veliki Troglav (1658 m). From Troglav, winding along the ridge between deep sinkholes, you exit onto the trail towards the Pod Vošcem mountain hut, where you finish.

In addition to the large climb, the trail is also demanding due to the very difficult terrain, so we recommend it to well-prepared and experienced runners. The time limit to complete this trail is 5 hours.

– Vertical Challenge, 5 km, 1160m+
The race starts from Makar, an old village above Makarska , and climbs along a marked hiking trail to the house on Vošac at 1422 m above sea level. The trail offers a view of Makarska and the central Dalmatian islands at all times. Part of the trail passes through a pine forest, and as it rises higher, the view opens up more and more towards the offshore islands and encompasses a larger part of the Dalmatian coast. Through numerous serpentines, you reach the Štrbina pass, from where you pass the last 150 meters of elevation difference along the steepest part of the trail to the mountain hut on Vošac , where the finish line is. When you get your breath back, be prepared to lose it again – this time from the view, since Vošac is one of the most beautiful and famous viewpoints on the Adriatic coast.

The course is intended for experienced and fit runners, but also for those who plan to complete the course at a slower and more leisurely pace, since the time limit to complete the race is 3 hours.