Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in the world and the first Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. In today’s fast-paced and digitalised lifestyle, more and more people are rediscovering the value of walking, spending time in nature, and pilgrimage as a form of active отдых and personal reflection.

Following this trend, the tourist boards of the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera launched a new section of the Way of St. James last year – Camino Crikvenica Vinodol. The route is fully marked, and the project is continuously promoted as a blend of spirituality, natural beauty, and cultural heritage. Its implementation involved the Tourist Board of the City of Crikvenica, the Tourist Board of the Vinodol Municipality, and the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board. The project was led by the Brotherhood of St. James, the official Croatian representative in the Camino Europa Compostela federation and the coordinator of the Camino Croatia project.

The total length of the route is 84 kilometres, with an additional 13-kilometre branch near Krmpote. As part of ongoing promotion, the tourist boards organised the second guided Camino tour on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Participants walked a 21.5-kilometre section from Jakov Polje in Krmpote to Bribir. More than 70 walkers from different parts of Croatia joined the tour, enjoying the attractive and diverse route under ideal weather conditions.

The full-day walk began with a morning gathering at the Church of St. James in Krmpote, one of two churches dedicated to this saint along the Camino Crikvenica Vinodol route. The other is located at the very end of the trail in Jadranovo, adding a special symbolic dimension to the pilgrimage. After mass and refreshments at the Tilia tasting room, participants continued towards the Ledenice fortress. Guided by historian Antonija Mažuranić, they learned about the rich history and legends of the Vinodol region. Along the way, they were accompanied by impressive landscapes – views of the Novi Vinodolski hinterland, the Vinodol Valley, forested areas, and the indented Kvarner coastline. The striking contrast between greenery and the deep blue sea, as well as views of the Riviera and Kvarner islands, left a lasting impression. Upon arrival in Bribir, the walk concluded with a shared lunch and tasting of local specialties in the historic town centre. Participants enjoyed traditional dishes such as bribir prisnac and crikvenica batuda, adding an authentic gastronomic dimension to the experience. After the programme, organised transport returned participants to Krmpote.

Marijana Biondić, Director of the Crikvenica Tourist Board and coordinator of the Riviera, commented on the second organised walk: “Camino Crikvenica Vinodol is part of the coastal route of the Croatian Camino network, and these sections are already walked by tens of thousands of people annually, discovering the increasingly popular ‘Camino experience’ in Croatia. The pilgrimage tradition in this area runs deep – Croatian Camino heritage records over 800 years of documented pilgrimages. Jadranovo holds a special place in this story, not only because it was historically known as St. James, but also due to strong local devotion and centuries-old veneration of St. James, which was one of the key motivations behind launching this project. We firmly believe it will bring tangible benefits to the local community, as Camino routes are proven to extend the tourist season, stimulate the local economy, and highlight the cultural and natural heritage of the destination.

Our route covers the entire area, starting in a neighbouring county and passing through: Senj – Vrataruša – Podbilo – Bile – Jakov Polje – Drinak – Povile – Novi Vinodolski – Bribir – Tribalj – Crikvenica – Dramalj – Jadranovo. Our goal is to create a recognisable and sustainable product that will attract pilgrims, nature lovers, and visitors seeking authentic experiences, while opening new opportunities for tourism and community development. We are connecting and educating our partners – including hoteliers, private accommodation providers, hospitality venues, transport operators, family farms, and associations – so they can recognise the opportunity and join the Camino Crikvenica Vinodol project.”

Among the participants were experienced Camino enthusiasts who had already completed numerous Croatian and European routes, as well as many for whom this was their first Camino experience. This diversity confirms the growing interest in Camino Crikvenica Vinodol, with participants leaving full of positive impressions, already looking forward to the next organised tour and planning to independently explore the remaining sections of this attractive route.