Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo
Inland from Split to Klis fortress, the horse town of Sinj and the sinkhole lakes of Imotski, then over to Biokovo and the Makarska Riviera.
- Distance
- 175 km (109 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 25 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Croatia
- Updated
- July 19, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 175 km (109 mi) with 9 stops, from Split to Omiš. About 2 h 25 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Croatia
Route description
Climb out of Split on the D1 to Klis, about 15 km, where a long fortress sits on a ridge above the pass and looks down over the city and the islands. Continue inland through the Dalmatian Zagora to Sinj, known for the Sinjska alka, a knights’ tournament held on horseback every August. The countryside here is dry karst with small fields and stone walls.
From Sinj, follow the roads south-east through Trilj to Imotski, about 60 km, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two collapse sinkholes lie on the edge of town. The Red Lake is one of the deepest in Europe, with sheer cliffs you can only view from the rim. The Blue Lake, directly under the town fortress, rises and falls through the year and can be reached on foot.
From Imotski, the road crosses the hills via Zagvozd and drops through a tunnel to the coast near Baška Voda, with the Biokovo wall rising above. At Makarska, turn up the Vrgorac road to the entrance of Biokovo Nature Park, where a narrow road climbs to Sveti Jure at 1,762 metres, passing a glass skywalk over the drop. It is single-lane, charges an entry fee and is not suitable for motorhomes.
Back on the coast, Makarska is a resort town with a long pebble beach beneath the mountain. From there drive north along the D8 coast road to Omiš, where the Cetina river leaves its canyon to meet the sea. Rafting and canoe trips run up the Cetina in summer, and a path climbs to the Mirabela fortress above town. Split is 25 km further, about 45 minutes in normal traffic.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Split
Croatia - 211 km
Klis Fortress
HistoryKlis, CroatiaA fortress strung along a rocky ridge on the pass above Split, guarding the road inland for centuries and used as a film set. The view sweeps over Split, the islands and the coast; parking at the entrance.
- 323 km
Sinj
Croatia - 468 km
Imotski
Croatia - 52 km
Red Lake
NatureImotski, CroatiaOne of the deepest sinkholes in Europe, with reddish cliffs dropping hundreds of metres to a lake at the bottom. View it from the rim path; there is no way down, and the rim has only low railings in places.
- 62 km
Blue Lake
NatureImotski, CroatiaA sinkhole lake right on the edge of Imotski, whose level rises and falls sharply with the seasons and sometimes dries out in late summer. A path leads down to the water; view it first from the fortress above.
- 722 km
Biokovo Road and Sveti Jure
ViewsMakarska, CroatiaA narrow mountain road climbs Biokovo Nature Park to Sveti Jure at 1,762 metres, high above the Makarska Riviera, passing a glass skywalk. An entry fee is charged; the road is single-lane and unsuitable for motorhomes.
- 87 km
Makarska
Croatia - 939 km
Omiš
Croatia
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Split → Sinj · 34 km · 0 h 28 minOn the way: Klis Fortress.
- Day 2: Sinj → Blue Lake · 72 km · 0 h 60 minOn the way: Imotski, Red Lake.Overnight nearby, for example: Autocamp Biokovo (15 km); Rock Oak Camping (< 1 km).
- Day 3: Blue Lake → Omiš · 68 km · 0 h 57 minOn the way: Biokovo Road and Sveti Jure, Makarska.Overnight nearby, for example: Kamp Lisičina (< 1 km); Camping Bunja (11 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Croatia: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo?
3-day road trip of about 175 km (109 mi) with 9 stops, from Split to Omiš. About 2 h 25 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 25 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo start and end?
It starts in Split and ends in Omiš.
Which countries does Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo pass through?
Croatia.
Where can you camp along Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo?
OpenStreetMap lists 41 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Stobreč Split, Camp Rožac and Camping Bunja.
When is the best time for Split’s hinterland: Klis, the Imotski lakes and Biokovo?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
