Rock climbing in the Kvarner Area and around Rijeka in Croatia

There are a few small crags to the north and east of Rijeka, though the best rock climbing area is near the town of Karlobag, where there are 3 crags. The largest crag is Dabarski kukovi, which is a collection of limestone towers rising from a hidden valley. It offers around 40 multi-pitch routes up to 185m high mainly in the F5a to F6c grade range. In the Kvarner area all of the single pitch sport routes are generally well bolted, on good quality limestone rock.

The crags of Dabarski kukovi (185m high) and Bozin kuk (220m high) offer good multi-pitch climbing of up to 6-pitches. For all the crags that offer multi-pitch climbing, a set of nuts and friends are required. Also note for some routes at Dabarski kukovi a 70m rope is recommended.

The spring and autumn are the best time to climb in this area, though it is possible to climb all year round at crags such as Losinj - Osorscica and Pag - Stogaj.

Average daily peak temperature for Rijeka

Map of the Rock Climbing areas around Rijeka

Map of the Rock Climbing areas around Rijeka and Kvarner

List of rock climbing areas around Rijeka and Kvarner

NoCragTotal No of routesNumber of Routes in Grade RangeMulti Pitch?
4a to 4c5a to 5c+6a to 6c+7a to 7c+Above 8a Project
1Kanjon Rjecine16008440No
2Kamenjak3771515000Yes
3Vela Pesa191117000No
4Golubinjak6445242614No
5Vrbovsko5019191524No
6Krk - Portafortuna691128171300No
7Krk - Belove stene3822010006No
8Krk - Bunculuka10044020No
9Cres - Lubenice373491407No
10Losinj - Osorscica394815615No
11Cres - Babina16358000No
12Strogir190611200No
13Dabarski kukovi4921128800Yes
14Bozin kuk140311000Yes
15Filipov kuk231110902No
16Pag - Stogaj4121023600Yes

Istria and Kvarner rock climbing guidebook The above information has been extracted from the current 2022 edition of the rock climbing guidebook for Croatia, written by Boris Cujic.

The Istria and Kvarner rock climbing guidebook also covers the areas around Rijeka, plus the islands of Krk and Cres.

Both of these guidebooks are available to buy from our shop.

  • Kvarner rock climbing photograph - Dabarski kukovi
  • Kvarner rock climbing photograph - Kamenjak
  • Kvarner rock climbing photograph - Mannar Pudding, F6c+
  • Kvarner rock climbing photograph - Toncica, F6a

Click on the images to view a larger photograph, showing the excellent rock climbing to be found around Kvarner and Rijeka.

Buy the current 2022 edition of the rock climbing guidebook for Croatia
from our shop.

This guidebook covers all the crags around Rijeka and Karlobag plus the islands of Krk and Cres.

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