1

Thanks again, Flumy, for all your help.

Jon

2

Hi Flumy,
Is it possible to drive to Bresovac with a 2WD car?

Jon

3

Hi Jon!

Well, basically not, unless we are talking about a 2 WD off-road car. I seriously doubt about the sufficient quality of the road from Markov Grob to Brezovac for usual 2 WD car that you will probably rent.

So, my recommendation is to drive usual 2 WD car to Markov Grob and then continue on foot or to rent an off-road car 2 or 4 WD and drive all the way to Brezovac. The second option is more comfortable, you can reach the top of the mountain faster, but it is also more expensive having in mind the rental prices.

It is now all up to you to decide.

4

OK, no prob. I think I can walk the whole way.

But after reading the link re: the hiking route, I just want to make sure that it's 31 km round trip hiking from Markov Grob to the summit and back. 5 hours seems kind of quick. Or is there not much elevation gain?

Jon

5

Hi Jon!

Well, it seems, you have misunderstood something or I haven't explained properly. Actually the distance of 31 km is not the route you are going to take. As you can see on the map that you refer to, it is a distance beginning from the village of Guge, all the way to the village of Glavaš.

Now, let's calculate. From Guge there are 14 km to mountain cottage Brezovac. From Brezovac to the summit there are 6 km more. So, it is 20 km from Guge to Dinara summit. Anyway, you will drive a part of the distance from Guge to Brezovac by your car, precisely until Markov Grob. So, the distance from Markov Grob to the summit is actually about 15 km at most. So, 5 hours seems more reasonable when you have 15 km which makes your average speed at 3 km/h. Trust me, every person with just an average body strength and shape can do this route within the 5 hours frame. As far as descent is concerned, you can do it undoubtedly faster than 5 hours frame. So, you can calculate that you will need at most 9 hours for the entire route, i.e. from Markov Grob to Dinara summit and back to Markov Grob.

Those guys that have done the route and wrote the map, they didn't backtrack, but after reaching the summit, they have proceeded toward some other point which is called Glavaš. You will not follow their route, but after you reach the summit you will backtrack toward Brezovac and Markov Grob where you have left your car.

6

Thanks, flumy. Still seems like 30 km round trip. No prob. I just did Bobotov Kuk (Montenegro) round trip from Zabljak in a little more than 8 hours.

Jon

7

Actually, it is 30 km if you start and finish your trip at Markov Grob. Anyway, 8 to 9 hours will be definitely sufficient.

I just hope that you will have luck with the weather and, please, be so kind, leave just a small feedback when you finish your adventure. Thank you.

8

Will do.

Check my blog for trip reports from other Balkan destinations. The link is under my profile.

Or here: www.mytb.org/povertyjetset

Jon

Edited by: JonMW

9

Hello again,
I have yet another question about Dinara. I'm thinking I'd like to hike to Brezovac on the first day and sleep there. Then attempt Dinara the following day and hike back out to Markov Grob where I will leave my car.

Is the Brezovac cottage open all year round? I am fully outfitted for camping but what sort of facilities are available at the cottage?

Also, is it OK to leave my car at Markov Grob for the night?

Cheers.

Jon

10

Hi Jon!

Here are the answers:

• Yes, you can sleep in Brezovac cottage, but you have to call Mr Šimić (written in english it would be something like Shimich) on the phone number 385918913506. This is very important because he, although the housekeeper, is just a part of the year in the cottage. So, you will call him a day or two in advance, tell him when you are going to sleep and then you will meet him in Knin and he will give you the keys of the cottage which you will return upon your return to Knin.

• Within the cottage you will find beds (usually without linen), but with blankets. There is water and electricity, so you can cook something simple and refresh yourself. In fact, it is basic, don't expect any level of comfort, although everything is clean and in order.

• You can park your car in Markov Grob without fear that it will be stolen or damaged.

Jon, one more thing... In case that Mr Šimić doesn't understand your english properly, just leave me a message and I will call him and tell everything you plan to do. Just be relaxed, the people from the Dalmatian interior are very kind and hospitable.

11

Thanks a lot, Flumy!

I'll try to call him later today to get the keys for tomorrow night. Hopefully it's not too short notice.

Jon

12

Just a quick update...

I called Mr Simic from Plitvicka 3 nights ago and arranged to meet him the following day ~ 3 pm. I went to the police station in Knin to ask if there was a tourist office to help me make a phone call. Naturally, the officer knew Mr Simic and called him for me. I got the key a few minutes later, drank an espresso, bought some supplies, and headed for Markov Grob. Bad road, not well signed, about 10 kms reached the parking area ~5:30 pm. Followed the well marked road/trail to Brezovac and got to the cottage at 7 pm just as it got totally dark.

Cottage is amazing. I couldn't figure out how to work the solar batteries but I had a head lamp and there were candles. Also leftover collected rainwater but there is a functioning well pump in back outside. Cooked up some pasta (gas stove in cottage but I brought a camping stove just in case). Super comfy beds and I used my sleeping bag. Left for Dinara 8 am yesterday morning and reached the summit a couple of hours later. Very clear but also very windy. Took an hour and a half back to the cottage and another ~40 minutes back to Knin where I dropped off the keys with the police.

Headed from Knin to Sibenik but accommodation options were very limited so I continued to Trogir and spent the night right in the center at Hotel Fontana which was great. Drove to Split airport after lunch today, dropped off the car, and flew to Rome where it is raining.

Amazing trip. Couldn't have done it without flumy's invaluable assistance. Thanks again.

I'll follow up with more on my blog and post on TT.

Jon

13

Hi Jon!

I am so glad that you have realized your plan, although honestly speaking, there aren't sufficient informations in english language for any potential climber that is not familiar with croatian language. It is also a good thing that you have realized it several days ago because today, the summit is covered in snow, the wind is unbearable and the temperatures are bellow 0 (speaking in Celsius). The snow is also falling at Plitvice lakes and the temperature there is 0 C!

Anyway, this kind of weather conditions, although not unheard of, are of limited duration in this part of the year. The weather will improve over the next three to four days. Of course, it is not of any importance to you, but I am writting this just in case that someone else might use them.

All the best.

14

Hi flumy,
Just posted my Croatia trip report on my blog. Pictures from Plitvice, Dinara, and Trogir. Great trip.

Thanks again for all your help.

Jon