Croatian Walking Festival breaks records with 1,300 participants from 22 countries
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: Croatian Walking Festival)
For the second consecutive year, the favorite event, the Croatian Walking Festival, was held in Otocac and Gospic, attracting a record number of walkers to the Lika region.
This year, there were around 1,300 participants from a whopping 22 different countries, a testament to the international popularity of the festival, which traditionally takes place on the first weekend of September. It is one of the 29 European routes that are part of the vast International March League – IML family.
As a result, both cities were filled with walkers of all age groups, united by their love for a healthy lifestyle and spending time in nature. They thoroughly enjoyed walking along the routes with names like Tesla and Gacka.
(Photo: Croatian Walking Festival)
This is a large international community of hiking enthusiasts, and in Lika, they hosted walkers from 22 countries, including Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and various other European nations, as well as participants from America, Australia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Groups from Belgium and Taiwan even arrived in Lika ten days earlier.
(Photo: Croatian Walking Festival)
These groups of walkers diligently and extensively prepared for this festival, as exemplified by the Taiwanese group, who had special Croatian-themed motifs printed on their raincoats. Comments of admiration for the beauty of Lika and the excellent organization were heard from all corners and in various languages. Accommodation facilities in Lika were also fully booked, underscoring the significance of the event for the entire community.
(Photo: Croatian Walking Festival)
Participants in the festival will receive stamps in accordance with IML rules, and after collecting a certain number of stamps, they will earn badges from the IML. Organizers are thrilled with this year’s success of the festival on all levels, especially with the fact that interest in the festival continues to grow year by year. Registrations for next year have already begun in earnest.
(Photo: Croatian Walking Festival)
The Croatian Walking Festival is sponsored by the Tourist Board of Lika-Senj County, the Croatian Walking Federation, Lika-Senj County, the City of Gospic, the City of Otocac, and Lika Travel Ltd.
