Active tourism

Island Ugljan – island for an active vacation!

The island Ugljan is one of the most picturesque islands in the Zadar archipelago, by boat only 15 minutes away from the centre of Zadar or by ferry from the port Gaženica. The coastline of the island is 74 km long. This ever-green island, covered with olive groves, with idyllic bays and picturesque small fishing ports, for generations has been tied to the sea, seafaring and fishing, and more than 2000 years of olive cultivation have left thousands of olive trees yielding oil of exceptional quality and aroma. Along the eastern side of the island there are fishing and tourist settlements in natural bays, the most famous of which are Preko, Ugljan, Kali and Kukljica.

The other side of the island is mostly steep and uninhabited. Due to the accompanying bays, islands and rich undersea, it is a real challenge for divers and sport fishermen. The undulating plateau in the central part of the island is streaked with tens of kilometres of hiking and biking trails, and the colours, scents and panorama are an unforgettable picture for every passer-by. Most of the inhabitants of the island (around 7500) are mainly engaged in olive cultivation, fishing and, of course, tourism. The mild Mediterranean climate, the azure sea, the rocky and sandy beaches, the numerous nearby islands and islets and the memories of past times make the fertile island Ugljan increasingly desirable for fans of the sea and the islands. In addition to being ideal for swimming, sunbathing and gastronomic delights, the island Ugljan also offers many opportunities for an active holiday:

Hiking

If you love long walks in the nature with beautiful scenery, then the island Ugljan is the right destination for you! An easy stroll along the coast or on the nearby hills, with mapped hiking trails leading to peaks and beautiful bays, along centennial olive groves. Also very attractive is the Fortress of St. Michael built in the 6^th century and rebuilt in the 13^th century as a Venetian fort. A three kilometres long paved road suitable for cyclists, pedestrians and cars leads to the fortress. It is special by its view extending over the more than 200 islands of the Zadar archipelago and the National Park Kornati, Zadar, Velebit and Ravni kotari.

Walking through Ugljan discover the trails and promenades along the coast, through the olive groves, woods of holm oak, Aleppo pine, along old stone walls to natural watering holes, hidden and secluded bays. Along the way enjoy the scents of Mediterranean plants, lavender, immortelle, rosemary, broom flower, myrtle ... Some of the native plant species are also medicinal and have been use din traditional medicine. The paths will lead you to various cultural sites such as churches, monasteries, castles and archaeological sites. On your way, you can also relax at several rest stops and viewpoints.

Explore the island on two wheels

The island offers approximately 100 km of cycling paths for exploration and enjoyment. The trails vary in difficulty, with the easiest ones suited for families with children. If you are looking for greater challenge and adventure, cross the Ždrelac bridge to the neighbouring island of Pašman for a unique experience of the two islands in the Zadar archipelago.

Sailing

The waters around Ugljan, Pašman, and the entire Zadar archipelago are some of the most ideal in the Adriatic for sailing and recreational boating. With the Zadar archipelago being the most densely packed group of islands in the Adriatic, it offers a variety of winds and minimal extreme weather conditions, which allow for safe and enjoyable sailing throughout the year. For boating enthusiasts, there are two marinas: Olive Island Marina Sutomišćica and Marina Preko.

Rock climbing

Take the plunge and make your way to the top of Željina cliff! For rock climbing enthusiasts, Željina Cliff provides excellent climbing opportunities with its varied rock formations and beautiful views of the Zadar archipelago, including the islands of Iž and Dugi Otok. Situated at the base of Mount St. Michael, it features routes for all skill levels, from begginer to advanced, with up to 40 routes graded from 4c to 7b spread across five sectors. The southern exposure of the cliff allows for climbing throughout the year.

Diving sites

Diving around the island of Ugljan and the islets of Rivanj and Sestrunj offers a unique experience. You can dive recreationally along the coast or professionally with equipment. Notable diving sites in the area include Cape Ovčjak, Prcbok, Veliki Paranak, Karantunić, and the southwest side of Bisage Island. The Underwater life is particularly rich in the Rivanj Channel at sites like Sajda (1.5 nautical miles northeast of the islet Mala Sestrica) and Cape Križ. You will find signs with exact locations at various spots on Ugljan, Rivanj and Sestrunj. Take the plunge and dive in! Our underwater environment is home to a diverse array of marine species. Some of these are protected, such as the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica), node seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa), and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The Rivanj Channel is known for sightings of the critically endangered shark species, the angel shark. Coral species like red and yellow finger gorgonians attract numerous divers. The seabed teems with fish, including the common two-banded sea bream, painted comber, tuna, seabream...

Stroll along cultural and historical trails

Strada publica is an ancient road from the 1st century, part of the cultural and historical site of Trpinjin. It serves as an example of traditional dry-stone construction using local stone. This path was used for driving livestock to pasture and it also connected Mali and Veli Lukoran. The Trpinjin hill area was once cultivated land. Today, Strada Publica is marked and leads you along the island’s exploratory trails. Following the paths of Strad Publica, you can walk from the De Ponte country house through the Vrulja in Mali Lukoran, all the way to villa Borelli in Veli Lukoran.

Caves of the island of Ugljan

For speleologists, geologists, palaeontologists, and archaeologists, the caves of Ugljan Island are particularly intriguing due to their great age and formation. The island features the following caves: Željina cave (located at the base of Mount St. Michael), Boškova cave (located above the Svitla Cove), Vela and Mala Cave (located at the food of Mount Kobiljak), Vela Karinja Pit (located near Guduće), Pećina Cave (located near the Prtljug Cove). Regarding the cave above Svitla Cove, legend has it that a hermit named Boško lived there, whereas Željina Cave was used by shepherds as a shelter from storms. The largest cave on the island extends more than 60 meters in length near Prtljug Cove. Caves should be visited exclusively with a guided tour.

Hunting tourism

The Ugljan hunting ground is rich in mouflon, wild boar, snipe, wild rabbit and pheasant. Hunters have at their disposal closed and open hunting observatory, ambushes in the natural environment, arranged automatic feeders with video surveillance and arranged and maintained drinking troughs. We also offer accommodation in a hunting lodge, a professional hunting guide, organization of transport in the hunting ground by off-road vehicles (SUV, quad) as well as the entire logistics that includes food and drink, as well as other specific requirements: Auro lov d.o.o.; web: www.autohunt.com; e-mail: info@aurohunt.com