Untouched parts of Nature in National parks Northern Velebit and Paklenica are the ideal places where you can experience a Medditerean from a different angle. With all necessary logistics on an amazing hiking route, you’ll see everything – from primordial forests to bare white rocks. In some parts, the trail will bring out the best in you and make your work a bit harder, but with a good bit of preparation and goodwill, anyone can tame it. For your safety, besides the medical staff, HGSS – one of the best mountain rescue teams in the world – will be in charge.

It’s hard to describe what you’ll experience. Breathtaking Croatia and her untouched Nature, new friends who share the same love towards hiking and Nature as yourself. Lastly, have fun and live life to the fullest.

1. When is the event?

HIGHLANDER Velebit, Croatia takes place from 12 – 17 September however each format starts and finishes on a different date.

• HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit, Croatia is from 12 – 16 September 2023*.
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit, Croatia is from 15 – 17 September 2023*.
• HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit, Croatia is from 16 – 17 September 2023*.

*Dates depend also on the start time of your Group and your hiking tempo.

2. What are the distances?

HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit, Croatia is a 100km long hiking experience that lasts for 5 days.

HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit, Croatia is a 48km long hiking experience that lasts for 3 days.

HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit, Croatia is a 30km long hiking experience that lasts during the weekend.

3. What is the cut off time?

This is a hiking adventure, not a race.

• HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit’s Finish closes on September 16th at 2 PM.
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit’s Finish closes on September 17th at 8 PM.
• HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit’s Finish closes on September 17th at 8 PM.

The finish depends on the start of your Start group and how fast you hike. There is a possibility that you finish your adventure in less time than it is predicted, so it is up to you when the hike is finished. For more, see the opening times of the checkpoints by specific format: HIGHLANDER Hercules, HIGHLANDER Pegasus, or HIGHLANDER Orion.

4. How do I enter?

To enter the event, you have to complete the registration form we have on the event website: REGISTER button. Payments can only be done online with a debit or credit card.

Capacity is limited, make sure you don’t miss your slot and register for the Adventure of a Lifetime!

5. How can I register as a Team?

You can register as a team using Team registration 3+1:

• 3+1 means that the team of 4 is registered – 3 registrations are purchased and 1 is complimentary.
• Choose a member in your team that will make the purchase of the whole group. Congratulations, you are now a Team Captain. During the purchase you are asked to name the team and make a password.
• You share the name and the password with the other 3 people in your team, that register as Team Members.
• Team Members register with a price of €0 but need Team’s name and password in order to register.
• The maximum in 3+1 is 4 people. There can be less, but not more. In case of fewer people, the group is not entitled to the price deduction.

6. How much is the entry fee?

Below you can find the Individual and Team entry fees for each format. All prices have a + 5% Active.com platform fee.

In case you do not wish to use a service included in the price, prices do not change.

HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit, Croatia

• Individual – Super Early Bird: €179 EUR
• Individual – Early Bird: €229 EUR
• Individual – Regular: €299 EUR
• Individual – Last Call: €319 EUR
• Team 3+1 – Regular: €897 EUR
• Team 3+1 – Last Call: €957 EUR
• More information here.

HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit, Croatia

• Individual – Super Early Bird: €99 EUR
• Individual – Early Bird: €119 EUR
• Individual – Regular: €139 EUR
• Individual – Last Call: €179 EUR
• More information here.

HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit, Croatia

• Individual – Super Early Bird: €49 EUR
• Individual – Early Bird: €69 EUR
• Individual – Regular: €89 EUR
• Individual – Last Call: €109 EUR
• More information here.
   

7. What is included in my entry fee?

For HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit format:

• On duty Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS)
• Transportation from Senj to Zavižan
• Luggage transportation (60 L/20 kg) from Zavižan to Paklenica
• Premium mountaineering food: 3 meals per day (dehydrated food, cold cuts, cheese, bread, ready meals)
• Passes for NP Northern Velebit, PP Velebit and Paklenica
• HIGHLANDER Bandana
• HIGHLANDER Hercules ID – detailed itinerary showing all checkpoints (with dedicated checkpoint stamp spaces)
• HIGHLANDER Hercules Pin
• HIGHLANDER Hercules Patch
• HIGHLANDER Hercules Certificate
• HIGHLANDER Hercules Maps – detailed maps of the route
• HIGHLANDER Hercules Map Cover – waterproof cases
• Hiker tag, Luggage tag, and other Kit items
• Educational and leisure activities
• Infrastructure at start, finish, checkpoints, and along the route

For HIGHLANDER Pegasus format:

• On duty Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS)
• Transportation from Starigrad to Baške Oštarije
• Luggage storage (60 L/20 kg) in Starigrad OR luggage transportation from Baške Oštarije to Starigrad
• Premium mountaineering food: 3 meals per day (dehydrated food, cold cuts, cheese, bread, ready meals)
• Pass for PP Velebit and NP Paklenica
• HIGHLANDER Bandana
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus ID – detailed itinerary showing all checkpoints (with dedicated checkpoint stamp spaces)
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Pin
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Patch
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Certificate
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Maps – detailed maps of the route
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Map Cover – waterproof cases
• Hiker tag, Luggage tag, and other Kit items
• Educational and leisure activities
• Infrastructure at start, finish, checkpoints, and along the route

For HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit format:

• On duty Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS)
• Luggage storage (60 L/20 kg) in Starigrad
• Premium mountaineering food: 3 meals per day (dehydrated food, cold cuts, cheese, bread, ready meals)
• Pass for NP Paklenica
• HIGHLANDER Bandana
• HIGHLANDER Orion ID – detailed itinerary showing checkpoint (with dedicated checkpoint stamp spaces)
• HIGHLANDER Orion Pin
• HIGHLANDER Orion Patch
• HIGHLANDER Orion Certificate
• HIGHLANDER Orion Maps – detailed maps of the route
• HIGHLANDER Orion Map Cover – waterproof cases
• Hiker tag, Luggage tag, and other Kit items
• Educational and leisure activities
• Infrastructure at start, finish, checkpoints, and along the route

8. I have not received the confirmation e-mail – where can I find it?

The confirmation email is automatically sent after doing the payment. Check your inbox and spam folders. If you don’t find it please contact croatia@highlanderadventure.com.

9. How do I change my personal details (address, e-mail…)?

If it is your first time registering for an event with the Active.com platform, you will create your Active profile. Here you will have access to all registered events, and you can edit some of your personal details.

• Log in to https://myevents.active.com.
• Scroll through the list of registered events
• Choose “Edit Registration Information”
• Make changes to custom questions etc.
• Save changes

If you need to change other information (email address for example), please contact croatia@highlanderadventure.com.

10. Is there a minimum age to participate?

Minors at the event are permitted, always with a parent/guardian. Please download the document attached below, fill in the document with the necessary information and save it as a PDF. Later, once you complete the registration and the payment for a parent/guardian and a minor, please, contact the organizer at croatia@highlanderadventure.com to send the PDF file and get further instructions.

• HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit, Croatia
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit, Croatia
• HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit, Croatia

11. What is the venue address?

• START HIGHLANDER Hercules Velebit is inZavižan, NP Northern Velebit.
• START for HIGHLANDER Pegasus Velebit is in Baške Oštarije.
• START for HIGHLANDER Orion Velebit is in Starigrad.
• FINISH for all formats is on Jaz Beach in Starigrad.

12. Travel & Accommodation:

You can come to the event by public transport or by car. For more details info please see here.

13. What do I need to do during the event week?

On the event week you will need to:

• Attend the technical briefing
• Registration check-in: pick up your Participant Kit

14. What is the onsite registration procedure?

All participants must register in person at the event prior to the start to collect the Participant´s Kit and sign the event waiver.

We do not send out in the post the Participant´s Kit.

You will receive an email with all the information one week before the event.

15. Can someone else register for me?

No, all participants must come to Registration during the opening hours for the Registration Check-in. Each participant must sign the event waiver.

16. What nutrition is available during the event?

Food and drinks depend on the format. All additional information regarding food provided by the organizer is sent to participants on the week of the event.

17. What type of clothing should I pack?

Velebit morning temperatures at the beginning of September go as low as 8ºC and daytime as high as 24ºC. Showers, fog patches, strong winds, and long periods of sunshine are only a few weather conditions to expect.

Prepare for all weather as well as you can.

18. How difficult is it to stay on track?

Most hiking trails on Velebit are marked very well.

It is important to adhere to markers and official hiking trails. Mountain huts are 20-25 km apart as well as CHECKPOINTS with trained staff.

Always keep a map in hand and follow the signposts to stay on course and arrive safely at your destination.

19. What weather conditions should I expect?

All-weather types!

Continental and Mediterranean climates “collide” at Velebit. This means you might see anything from sleet to summer temperatures of 24ºC. Wind gusts have been known to exceed 100 km/h. We recommend downloading the HRT METEO app.

20. Can I bring my dog?

Of course!

Your dog must always be kept on a leash. Dogs are allowed on shuttle buses that will be taking you to the start. Please keep in mind we do not provide food and water for your dog so please bring it with you. Make sure your dog is used to the terrain and hiking.

21. Can I sleep in mountain lodges or huts?

No. Sleeping is allowed only in tents and sleeping bags that are required HIGHLANDER gear for all participants. Mountain lodges and huts have limited space and could not accommodate all HIGHLANDER participants.

Sleeping in a tent is a special experience and one of the best parts of a true hiking adventure.

22. I have never hiked, but I feel physically ready. Can I register?

Of course!

HIGHLANDER is not for professional hikers and mountaineers only. It welcomes nature lovers hungry for activity and adventure. HIGHLANDER is very safe and not overly challenging but hiking experience is much welcomed. We suggest starting a training regimen in the months leading to the event.

23. How can I best prepare for HIGHLANDER Velebit?

All participants should be physically prepared for tackling the route smoothly. We recommend 100-200 km of light hiking in the months leading to HIGHLANDER to prepare for the trail.

Above all, you must be able to carry a heavy backpack (practice with a 5-7 kg and increase gradually to 15-17 kg). Make sure you can walk in your hiking shoes and break them in prior to the event.

24. Do I need to bring my own food?

It depends on you and your body. We all have unique eating habits and feel full at different rates. The organizer provides 3 meals per day with meat or vegetarian options that you choose upon registration. See more about food and drink for each format separately to get more info.

25. Do I have to stop at each checkpoint?

You have to collect all checkpoint stamps.

Checkpoints are open at specific times. Staff will stamp your HIGHLANDER ID. Outside staff working hours (or similar), you will stamp your own ID.

26. Do I have to set up my tent close to checkpoints?

Ne. You can bivouac anywhere you like other than National parks Northern Velebit and Paklenica.

27. What if I have gear trouble?

Checkpoint staff is trained for such cases. Feel free to consult them with any gear malfunction or similar issues.

28. Will you be providing transportation to the start?

Yes, but only for 2 formats:

• HIGHLANDER Hercules format: a bus will take you from Senj to the start at Zavižan.
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus format: a bus will take you from Starigrad to start in Baške Oštarije.
• Transportation is dog friendly.

Private transportation arrangements are allowed.

29. I will be staying in Croatia after the event. Will HIGHLANDER provide transportation to my next destination after the event?

No.

The Organizer will only provide transportation to the HIGHLANDER start position. Any other transportation arrangements are your responsibility.

30. Is there cellular service on the course?

In general, yes. There are however areas not covered by cellular service.

31. Are hiking poles a good idea?

A great idea!

32. Can I share my gear with other participants?

Yes. Gear that can be shared includes tent, gas/gasoline/alcohol cooker, compass, first aid kit. Participants sharing gear must reach checkpoints and finish within 30 minutes apart.

33. Will you be designating sleeping areas?

Designated bivouacking sites are on the Checkpoints for each HIGHLANDER format or in close vicinity. You are not obligated to camp on these sites (except for Alan)

34. What do I receive when I complete HIGHLANDER?

If you complete HIGHLANDER successfully, you will get a HIGHLANDER Pin, Patch and Certificate depending on the format you’ve registered for.

35. Will HIGHLANDER take place in case of bad weather?

Yes.

36. I have a specific diet. Will vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options be available at checkpoints?

There is a specific question in the registration form.

Vegetarian options will be available at all checkpoints. Vegan and gluten-free options will not be available

37. Side Events:

More information about the side program coming soon.

38. Withdrawal/Transfer process:

Please find all the information here.

39. Where can I sign up to volunteer?

Please find all the information here.

40. Is there a location for Lost&Found belongings?

During the event week: please ask the staff members.

After the event: please contact croatia@highlanderadventure.com.

41. How can I contact the event organizers?

You can contact us via email at croatia@highlanderadventure.com.