IMOTA Camimo Route Through Croatia

by Denis Orlic
1 year ago
Near Biorine, HR

5 views

Camino Imota is a part of the official Camimo route through Croatia - Camino Croatia. It is
designed as a separate stage of the Camino route in Croatia.
Day 1. Biorine - Lovreć
Length 19.3 km
Estimated time: 5:30 h
Highest point : 645m
Lowest point: 394 m
The beginning of the Camino Imota route, in the direction of Imotski, is suitably enough,
well immersed in the local historical heritage. The route starts at Biornine, a location
featuring medieval tombstones called “stečci”- unique to the region. The route leads us
next to the shrine of the saint that bears the name of pilgrimage honoring him - the church
of St. James (Santiago) at Cista Velika. A short walk from the church, following the yellow
arrows on the sidewalk, there is a slight detour to the right, to the archaeological site of
Crikvine, a place well worth visiting.
After this detour the route leads back to the main road, along the sidewalk, for another
short stretch. If you gaze to the right you’ll see a quite unusual sight - a huge ship made of
stone, in the middle of dry land. There was no giant wave that brought it here, just a quirky
architectural taste. Shortly after, the route turns to the left, leaving the road and
continuing slightly uphill. After the initial section of pavement, the surface turns to the
rocky ground, typical to the wider Dalmatian region. After a sharp turn to the right and
just before another sharp turn, this time to the left take a short pause and look to the
right. On a clear day you’ll see a row of windmills. Just between the last two pairs to the
right, there is a view of the sea, in a narrow passage between two hills.
The path continues uphill with yellow arrows leading the way, marked on stones along the
path. As the path widens there is a view of windmills on top of the hill, reminiscent of a
climb up Alto de Pedron on Camino Frances (just without the pilgrim sculptures). The
route continues into a pine forest offering a welcome shade in warmer months. The forest
slowly disappears into a typical Dalmatian vegetation as the route slides gently
downwards towards the outskirts of Cista Provo. The center of this village, with stores
and bars offers an opportunity for a break.
Following the sidewalk, the route quickly leaves Cista Provo with another turn to the left,
returning to the sidewalk just before Lovreć - destination for the first day of Camino
Imota.

Day 2: Lovreć - Proložac
Length 23.1 km
Estimated time: 6:30 h
Highest point: 743 m
Lowest point: 268 m
The second day of Camino Imota starts at the parish church at Lovreć. Follow the road to
the left of the church leading to the small village of Bošnjaci. There are a lot of abandoned
stone houses lying in ruin alongside the route, bearing silent witness to the harsh
economic prospects in these parts through decades. Rocky ground makes it difficult to
develop agriculture.
As the route departs the pavement to narrow dirt roads, the scenery may remind you
somewhat of Galicia - a region in Spain where all Camino routes end at Santiago de
Compostela. The route passes along the numerous stone walls marking the small plots of
land, dug up from the rocky ground. The dirt roads are soon replaced by a paved road that
passes through small villages along the route. These villages are mostly abandoned with
no bars and stores for rest and resupply so make sure you bring plenty of water, especially
in the warmer months.
The approach to the village of Lokvičići is slightly downhill, opening a spectacular view of
the plains below. Swampy area below stretches along the plain and contains a hidden gem
- ruins of a Franciscan monastery on a small swamp island where the monks used to hide
from the Ottoman invaders.
After a long walk through the fields in the plain the route ends at Proložac - destination for
the second day of Camino Imota.

Day 3: Proložac - Imotski
Length: 26.2 km
Estimated time: 7 h
Highest point: 420 m
Lowest point: 253 m
The area at Proložac is a bit different from the harsh rocky landscape of the countryside. A
river loops around a small island with a unique attraction - the Green cathedral, an
outdoor shrine. The path winds along the river, with its ancient mills and churches. Just

after the path leading outside the town there is a fascinating, though small waterfall area.
Fertile soil and the proximity of water makes this area a local granary with plenty of fields
alongside the route. The shade of the trees near the river provide a welcome shade in the
warmer months with the river itself acting as a kind of natural air conditioning. The route
leads us to Kamenmost, a small village with bars and stores - a good place to rest.
The route continues along the path following the river, to the village of Zmijavci,
continuing through the villages Runovići and Vinjani Donji. After the final village the route
takes a turn to the left, back to Imotski. This section is on a sidewalk along the main road
and uphill. The Camino Imota ends at the Church of St. Francis at