Cycling trails in Podstrana:
Promenade by the river Žrnovnica, approx. 3 km – an easy, flat and pleasant trail for cycling and observing the flora and fauna of the Žrnovnica river.
The macadam path of Perun quarry – Gornja Podstrana, approx. 6 km – a demanding mountain trail with breathtaking views.
Vršina – Perunsko, approx. 4 km – an extremely difficult trail on the peak ridge of Perun, a site rich in prehistoric and early Christian heritage.
Perunsko – Vilar, approx. 4.5 km – an extreme downhill trail that spectacularly descends down to the road in Vilar canyon.
Lungomare, approx. 6 km – an easy and flat road by the sea that provides magnificent views of the Podstrana coast..
Mura – Mutogras, approx. 1 km – an extreme downhill trail that leads from the spring of Mura to the sea.
Olive grove path – hotel Le Meridien Lav, approx. 5 km – a demanding trail that starts in Gornja Podstrana and leads through a picturesque landscape marked by traditional agriculture, with a variety of exits terminating by the sea.
Old Villages Trail
The trail connects the port of Strožanac, located in the western part of the Podstrana Municipality, with the town of Omiš. After passing through the town of Strožanac, the trail climbs up onto a dirt road which, following the isocline, takes you through picturesque old villages that occupy the slopes of the cliff Primorska kosa: the eco-ethno village Gornja Podstrana, whose historic core and the Church of St Anthony and Rocco are categorised as a protected cultural monument, Old village Jesenice, with equally well-preserved remains of folk architecture and a monument to the Fallen Fighters of the National Liberation Army /NOB/. Finally, the trail ends in the old village of Duće, in the vicinity of which the former parish Church of St Marco and its cemetery are located. The centre of Omiš and the cliffs of the Cetina River estuary are also well worth visiting.
Snake Rock Trail
The trail connects the centre of Žrnovnica with a historic site in Sv. Martin. It picks up in the port of Strožanac and follows the gravelled promenade, along bays and beaches all the way to Sv. Martin, a town with extraordinarily rich heritage from the Ancient times and the Middle Ages. From there it returns to Strožanac and continues along the river towards the town of Žrnovnica. The archaeological site and parish church of Our Lady of Sita, whose mythical name refers to the cult of the pre-Slavic female deity Mokoš, is also a place worth visiting. The Snake Rock, a protected cultural and historical monument, is the second key point of the pre-Slavic sacral landscape. It is located right next to the road to Žrnovnica, about half a kilometre from the river estuary. The river and the trail wind around the Peta Peruna area, i.e. the abandoned quarry where several scenes from the Game of Thrones series were filmed, and enter into the town of Žrnovnica. In the centre of the town there is the parish Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary with a relief showing a pre-Slavic ˝Battle of the Gods“ and Antonica’s Mill- an excursion site with the only preserved and renovated mill on the Žrnovnica river, also a shooting location from the same series.
| DESTINATION | PODSTRANA |
| Route number | 155 |
| Route name | Under the Snake stone |
| Physical difficulty | 5 |
| Technical difficulty | 4 |
| Podstrana – Žrnovnica – Donje Sitno – Gata – Tugare – Srinjine – Žrnovnica – Podstrana | |
| Route description | As if drawn on the canvas of the old masters, anchored on a small, elongated peninsula in the palm of the Adriatic, Stobreč at first glance invites you to immortalize it yourself in your travelogues. Located right next to Split on the western side and the mouth of the Žrnovnica River on the other, it began its history in the Iron Age as the settlement of Epetij. An excellent position in a sheltered bay with fertile fields in the interior provided it with a significant commercial boom in the Hellenistic era when it was surrounded by a rampart with two faces, while today’s name is owed to its patron Saint, Saint Lawrence. The river delta once offered a rich hunting ground for fish and game, and the activity of collecting salt was interwoven into the toponyms – Slanice and Soline. Žrnovnica descends to the mouth with its waterfalls and rapids in a 4.8-kilometre-long course. According to legend, Empress Maria Theresa also gazed at the beauty of this landscape on her journey through her Empire and decided to stop and take a break from the heat of a summer’s day as she dipped her tired feet into the clean and clear water… On the left bank of the river, you will find another surprise: a large, naturally shaped rock known as the Zmijski kamen (Snake Stone), a mythological place under Perun which is protected as a cultural asset. |
| Technical characteristics | Riding along the promenade by the Žrnovnica river marks the beginning of the 38.9 km long trail with a difference in altitude of 620 m. This is a very demanding trail in terms of trekking. The climb begins immediately after the promenade and is 8.6 km long with an average gradient of 5.5%. The entire trail, apart from riding along the promenade, is ridden on asphalted local roads with little traffic and a good surface. The highest point is near Gornje Sitno at 505 m above sea level. From there, the descent begins, which, with the exception of two short climbs, leads all the way to the finish line in Podstrana. Once you have successfully overcome the first climb, this trail continues to be very easy and not particularly physically demanding. Very short sections with steep gradients of up to 20% are technically challenging however. There are no demanding or dangerous sections on the descent, but you should always ride carefully. This trail can be managed on all types of bikes – from trekking to gravel, MTB or road bikes. Because of occasional steep sections, a compact crankset is recommended. |
| Points of interest | |
| Starting point | Podstrana |
| Length | 38,9 km |
| Altitude | 620 m |
| Longest climb | Filipovići – 8,6 km ; 5,5% ; 490 m |
| Longest downhill | Srinjine – 9,5 km ; -3,0% |
| Riding time | 3-4 h |
| Asphalt | 92% |
| Macadam | 8% |
| Type of bike | Treking, Roadbike, gravel |
| GPX file | Podstrana 155 – Under the Snake stone |
Arthur Trail
The trail connects the beach and historic and archaeological site in Sv. Martin with the eco-ethno village of Gornja Podstrana. It starts from the church of St. Martin which was once connected to a castle thus forming a complex which belonged to the Croatian duke Mislav. According to the Venetian sources, he made peace with the doge Pietro Tradonico in 839 in Sancti Martini curtis, that is, the Castle of Saint Martin. The church was erected in the place of a church from the Late Antique period which stood next to the necropolis. The church also features the famous tombstone of Lucius Artorius Castus, who was considered a personification of the legendary King Arthur. The paved serpentine road leads to Gornja Podstrana where it continues eastward up to the foothill of Pišćenica, the largest Illyric ritual pile in Podstrana. After the turn, the trail takes you down the dirt road through the village of Gornja Podstrana, whose centre andthe church of St Anthony and Rocco are a protected cultural monument, and next to the votive chapel of St Fabian and Sebastian, erected during the 18th century plague epidemics. The turning point is located on the crossroads above Strožanac, from where you return to Sv. Martin viaGornja Podstrana.
Poljica Circle trail
This trail entirely follows the paved roads circling around the Primorska kosa area. The trail takes you along the road from the port of Strožanac towards Žrnovnica, passing by Snake Rock and Peta Peruna as well as the abandoned quarry. It continues through Vilar canyon and towards villages of Srinjine and Tugare, which is home to the Radilović ˝museum“ that contains the largest collection of ethnological material from the Poljica area. The Church of the Assumption of Holy Mary or Our Lady of Smovo , located in the middle of the forested hill Smovo, prior to the entrance to Gata, is also a nice place to visit. The Gradac hill and Podgradac below it, which used to be the place where the great duke of Poljica was elected , lie at the heart of the Republic of Poljica. The viewpoint next to the church of St George, the patron saint of Poljica, offers magnificent views of the Cetina River estuary. Also located in the centre of the village are Poljica Museum and the monument to the Glagolitic priest, as well as the Church of St Cyprian , erected on the still–visible remains of a huge basilica from the Late Antiquity. A winding part of the trail goes down from Gata to the old Glagolitic seminary and the church of St Peter on Priko, a protected cultural site, in the western part of Omiš, passing by the statue of the Poljica hero Mile Gojsalić and the Sanctuary of Leopold Mandić in Zakučac along the way. The trail takes you back to Strožanac along the Adriatic road.
Perun trail
This circular trail picks up at the port of Strožanac and continues through the town on a paved road towards the old village. At the fourth kilometre it passes the Babina stina megalith, and at the fifth kilometre it continues on the dirt road Put maslinika. There it connects to the paved road coming from Sv. Martin. Passinh though Gornja Podstrana, the trail continues up to the beginning of a scenic serpentine road and the Way of the Cross which leads to St George on Vršina. This site offers breathtaking views, while the church is the place of local pilgrimage for the holiday of St George calculated according to the Julian calendar. Around the church, you can find the remains of an Illyrian fortress comprising of a couple of tombs from the pre-Christian era. From Gornja Podstrana, the trail continues on dirt road towards the foothill of the west peaks of Perun. The peak Perunsko, featuring the ancient church of St George and the prehistoric fortress around it, was the central point in pre-Slavic sacral interpretations of the landscape, which were most likely built upon on the existing cult. Beneath the rock of Veliki Perun there is a grove of centuries-old oak trees from where the route leads you back to the starting point in Strožanac.
Along the sunny side of Perun Trail
| DESTINATION NAME | ENGLISH |
| Route number | 140 |
| Route name | Along the sunny side of Perun |
| Physical difficulty | 2 |
| Technical difficulty | 2 |
| Itinerary | Podstrana, Stara Podstrana – transversal line – Podstrana |
| Route description | Under the gentle slopes of Perun, from the south-eastern slopes of the city of Split, along the lower course of the river Žrnovnica to the hill of Mutogras on the slopes of Mosor and the 6 kilometre-long Adriatic coast of pebble coves and beaches, extends Podstrana and its five settlements: Gornja Podstrana in the heights of Perun and the Adriatic jewels of Strožanac , Grljevac, Sveti Martin and Mutogras. The Mediterranean colours of the mild climate brought not only the beauty of the landscape to this area, but also the fertility of olive trees and vines, figs and carobs, peach, citrus fruits and vegetables, the fruits of which can be enjoyed here throughout the year. Along with the ecological preservation of the natural environment, Podstrana also preserves unique traces of the ancient Slavic beliefs of the first Croatian settlers. In toponymy, we find the oldest evidence of Croatian presence dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, offering an insight into an ancient authentic culture. Hilltops were dedicated to Perun, a Proto-Slavic deity, and in Podstrana we come across the names of peaks above the confluence of Žrnovnica and Strožanac: Perunsko (441 m), Veliki Perun (443 m) and Perunić (448 m). |
| Technical characteristics | The trail starts with a short road climb and from the 2nd kilometre it joins a wide macadam road that, in combination with concrete segments, leads to the top of the trail. At the start, the slopes are very gentle, only 3-4%, but after the 4th kilometre, more serious climbing begins with slopes of up to 25% for a maximum of 200 metres, which could be a challenge for the recreational cyclist. The longest climb on the trail comes after a flat segment suitable as a resting area and is 1.45 km long with an average slope of 9.7%, while in the first 500m of the climb the average slope rises to 15%. After riding on a combination of macadam and concrete trails, there is a pleasant macadam descent with gentle slopes very often used by recreational cyclists. The last 2 km are ridden on a flat road back to the start. We recommend using a MTB, but those who are more skilled can conquer the trail on a gravel or trekking bike. |
| Points of interest | St. Fabian and Sebastian’s Church, Perun oak forest, St. Anthony and Roch’s Church |
| Starting point | Car park from Strožanac marina at the entrance to Podstrana |
| Length | 14,5 km |
| Altitude | 453 m |
| Longest climb | Gornja Podstrana – 1,45 km | 9,7% | 138 m |
| Longest downhill | Lavčević | 1,4 km | -12,2% |
| Riding time | 1:00 – 1:30 h |
| Asphalt | 40% |
| Macadam | 60% |
| Type of bike | MTB, E-MTB, Gravel, Treking |
| GPX file | PODSTRANA 140 – Along the sunny side of Perun |
Through the ancient Podstrana hamlets Trail
| DESTINATION NAME | ENGLISH |
| Route number | 141 |
| Route name | Through the ancient Podstrana hamlets |
| Physical difficulty | 3 |
| Technical difficulty | 3 |
| Itinerary | Podsrtrana, Stara Podstrana, Stare Duće, Stara Podstrana, Podstrana |
| Route description | Protected in the embrace of the coastal massif of Perun hill, the picturesque coast of Podstrana stretches from the border of Split towards the capes of Dugi Rat, while it is protected from the impact of open space on the sea side by the islands of Brač, Šolta and Čiovo. It is a destination in the heart of central Dalmatia, safely anchored in the Kaštela Bay, which promises an enjoyable holiday full of fun experiences with its gentle coasts and beaches, but also with its adrenaline-pumping hinterland. The hill named after the Old Slavonic god Perun, the lord of lightning and thunder, preserves the rich remains of Illyrian culture, ancient remains and medieval churches. St. George on Vršina, the hill above the village of Podstrana, is the oldest local church built right next to the prehistoric fortress in the 11th century, from when the unexplored cemetery next to the church also dates. From St. George’s church on Perunski, mentioned in 1397, there is a spectacular view of the mouth of Žrnovnica, the Split field, the passes of Mosor, the sea and the islands, while St. Fabian and Sebastian’s church was built in the vineyards as a votive chapel due to the plague epidemic. |
| Technical characteristics | One long climb, a number of short climbs and descents along with one longer descent on the way back characterise this trail. The surface ranges from asphalt roads at the beginning to fine macadam, concrete roads and single stony and earth tracks. The climb, which beings at the very start of the route and extends to 4.6 km, is asphalted in the first part, but later changes to a combination of fine macadam and concrete. The average slope of the first part is over 12% with a maximum reaching to 22.1% over a length of 100 metres, which means that the climb is of medium to high physical demand. It is followed by a ride on undulating terrain with very frequent changes of surface – from fine to rougher macadam, narrow streets and concrete roads to more technically demanding single tracks. The last descent is the longest and is characterised by a macadam surface and pleasant slopes, and is often used by recreational cyclists. An MTB or E-MTB is recommended, but more skilled cyclists can also ride the track on gravel or trekking bikes, with special caution on single tracks that may be too rough for these types of bikes. |
| Points of interest | St. Fabian and Sebastian’s Church, Perun oak forest, St. Anthony and Roch’s Church, St. Marcus’ Church |
| Starting point | Car park from Strožanac marina at the entrance to Podstrana |
| Length | 29,0 km |
| Altitude | 910 m |
| Longest climb | Strožanac – 4,55 km | 7,1% | 331 m |
| Longest downhill | Lavčević – 2,8 km | -9,3% |
| Riding time | 2:00 – 2:30 h |
| Asphalt | 30% |
| Macadam | 70% |
| Type of bike | MTB, E-MTB , Gravel, Treking |
| GPX file |
| Road and family trekking map |  |
| MTB map | |
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