Let the drystone walls and olive groves tell the story of the golden drops of Krk
Olive oil made on Krk ranks among the best in the world. It has enjoyed the status of Krk treasure ever since the Roman times. This themed hiking trail is ideal for all nature lovers looking for a relaxing tour that will give them the opportunity to learn a thing or two about the island of Krk and olive oil. Take a pleasant walk along the trail honouring the ‘golden drops’ and feast your eyes on the amazing view of the islet of Košljun and Punat Cove.
The trail starts in Kornić, and runs through numerous olive groves and the quaint hamlets of Lakmartin and Muraj. It features interpretation boards that tell the story of olives and olive growing, and we recommend a walk in late autumn, during the olive harvesting season.
In some of the numerous olive groves you can even find centuries-old olive trees. Native varieties such as debela, drobnica, rošulja and plominka yield fruits that are turned into oil of exceptional quality. They were once processed in large traditional millstones (toš), but today the island boasts several modern oil mills. Be sure to taste extra-virgin olive oil and take it home as the healthiest liquid souvenir ever.
While taking a stroll through the olive groves, you will get to see the most amazing forms of drystone walls (gromače). The scent of wild Mediterranean plants, such as immortelle, blackberry and winter savory, will only add to the whole experience. Do not be surprised if a flock of sheep pops up from the shade of centennial olive trees behind a drystone wall.
On your return to Kornić pay a visit to the Regional Ethnographic Collection exhibited in a two-storey stone building. There you can see traditional furniture, accessories and tools depicting everyday rural life in the past. Besides a cooper’s workshop and a fireplace, the exhibited items include a traditional folk costume and wedding dress, and a wind instrument called sopele.
To round up the whole experience, taste some homemade sheep’s cheese. Its scent and flavour will give you a full insight into the island of stones, pastures, aromatic herbs and bora wind packed with sea salt crystals that lend the cheese this special aroma.