Hiking
Baška
To the Moon and back
A walk on the barren plateau, where the bora wind, rain, sheep and humans coexist
Karakteristike
One of the most attractive and popular hiking trails in Baška, Path to the Moon, starts right in the town and runs up a narrow and winding asphalt road to the former Baška castle and the Church of John the Baptist. Stop at the viewpoint next to the church and the local cemetery, where some of the most widely known photos of Baška were taken, and enjoy the view of the Baška Valley, the island of Prvić, the blue sea and Vela plaža Beach. Take a peek at the remains of the Church of Holy Spirit from the 13th century and continue along a wide stone-walled path meandering through the pine forest. Along the trail, once known as the Road of the Holy Spirit, you will find benches – perfect for taking a break while enjoying the view of Baška and the neighbouring islands.
This well-kept trail finishes at the fifth kilometre, and so does the pleasant shade. Pass through a gap in the drystone fence and set your foot to the Moon Plateau – a barren, rocky elevation resembling the Moon’s surface. It was formed by erosion, rain, strong bora wind and human influence, as people were looking for a way to survive in such an unfriendly environment. What follows is a walk through the rocky area along drystone walls and the Kalić pond towards the highest point – the Hlam peak (461 m). It is marked by a stone pyramid with a small aluminium cross; the view extends from the neighbouring peaks on the western ridge of the Baška Valley to scarce pastures, where you will come across a flock of sheep or see a griffon vulture conquering the sky.
After a break, you will return the same way to the intersection where the Moon Plateau begins, and from there continue to the west, in the direction of Zakam. After the initial flat terrain, there follows a very steep descent with eroded layers of rock through the canyon below rocky cliffs. Turn left at the intersection known as ‘underneath Zakam’ and follow the macadam road to the remains of the Church of St Christopher, where an asphalt road will soon take you back to Baška.
