Route: Kornić – trim trail – Dunat

Among a slew of hiking trails strewn around Kornić, hikers can opt for the one that is 3.8 km long and follows the tree-clad route of the popular Kornić Trim Trail, descending towards the coast in the final section and revealing olive groves along the way as well as the stunning sight of the trefoil-arched Church of St Donatus, a true gem of Romanesque architecture.

– The village of Kornić and its surroundings are dotted with hiking trails that will delight outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest. The third chapter of this hiking odyssey, following the tour of Muraj and the northwestern hinterland of Kornić, Kampelje and the northern hinterland, comprises the route of the popular Kornić Trim Trail, descending towards the coast in the final section and revealing a stunning sight along the way. The hike begins in the centre of the area overlooked by the facade of the 19th-century St. James parish church with a bell-gable and a visually striking portal, as the route extends northeast, ascending Brajutovci Street and passing a short stretch of the settlement’s urban area. Below the starting point of this 3.8 km long trail is another must-visit local landmark: Kornić Ethnographic Heritage Collection – Kornić Folk House, with an extensive exhibit that depicts rural life as it once was. Once the hikers ultimately leave the village and enter the zone of the marked trim trail, a light stroll through nature and mostly dense, soothing greenery awaits them. The terrain configuration allows hikers of all ages to enjoy the walk through lush vegetation in the forest air, while recreationists that want to stay in shape can use the various pieces of exercising equipment available along the entire trim trail. In the final section, the route meets revitalised olive groves and drops down to the sea, serving as a constant reminder of the antiquity and significance of this farm crop that has been favoured by the islanders for millennia and of the Krk olive oil, whose properties have elevated its status to one of the best in the world, as attested by the Roman travel writer Apicius, who deemed it exemplary of the Mediterranean 2000 years ago. At one point, the plantations of this misshapen, bumpy and branched tree with oval leaves, which are enclosed with “gromače” (dry stone walls), reveal a mesmerising view that extends toward the sea and Košljun islet, where the Franciscan monastery community found refuge, as well as the pine-covered Prniba peninsula and the nearby town of Punat. Hiking along the shore of Puntarska Draga ends at a point in Dunat, which is distinguished by a small stone building – the trefoil-arched early-Romanesque Church of St Donatus, which dates back to the 12th century. This intriguing stone structure was constructed by builders and stonemasons from Zadar, who also built the original (Benedictine) church on the adjacent islet of Košljun.

Highlights:

– Parish Church of St James the Great, Kornić

– Kornić Ethnographic Heritage Collection – Kornić Folk House

– “guvno” (threshing floor) outside the Kornić Folk House

– olive groves

– dry stone wall architecture – “gromače” and “gomile”

– Church of St Donatus, Dunat/Kornić