Check availability

Kalendar

Dodajte goste

Odrasli
- +
Djeca
- +
Potvrdi

Karst Landscape of Pag Island – Moonlike Scenery, Tourism, and Camping

At first glance barren and harsh, yet irresistibly attractive, the island of Pag, with its unique karst topography, gives the impression of a landscape from another planet. It is no coincidence that its eastern coast is often called the Moonlike landscape, where nature speaks in its most basic forms of stone, light, and silence. Without dense vegetation and the typical Mediterranean charm, this part of Pag offers visitors a rare opportunity to feel the power of pure space and experience a landscape that is at the same time raw and fascinating.

Such geomorphological features make the island of Pag an ideal destination for those seeking more than a classic holiday. Whether you are a nature lover, hiker, cyclist, or enjoy camping under the starry sky, Pag offers an authentic experience where nature takes center stage. The karst landscape, numerous trails leading through rocky plateaus, and the closeness of the sea create perfect conditions for an active holiday and life in the open air.

Below, we reveal what makes this Moonlike scenery so special, how it was formed, and why the island of Pag is becoming an increasingly popular destination for those who seek silence, freedom, and direct contact with nature—whether through a day trip, a hiking tour, or a multi-day stay in one of our Terra Park Phalaris or Terra Park SpiritoS camps.

What Is a Karst Landscape?

When you step onto the rocky plateaus of Pag Island, you can almost feel a millennia-old story carved into the stone. This unique scenery is the result of karst relief—a distinctive surface shaped by the long-term action of water on soluble rock. Although at first glance it may seem bare, desolate, and inaccessible, the karst hides an extremely complex world both below and above the surface.

The formation of karst relief begins when rain, mixed with carbon dioxide from the air, creates a mild carbonic acid. This acidic rainwater slowly dissolves limestone, shaping cracks, karren (limestone grooves), sinkholes (ponikve/vrtače), caves, and other intriguing forms that make Pag’s landscape so distinctive. Over thousands of years, water has etched traces into the rock, creating a relief that today resembles the Moon’s surface—gray, undulating, fractured, yet hypnotically beautiful.

For travelers, the karst landscape of Pag offers a special experience. Far from classic green vistas or forest trails, nature here appears in its most stripped-down form. That is precisely why the karst not only shapes the island’s appearance but also provides a sense of vastness, freedom, and connection. For many, it is the ideal backdrop for an active holiday—as well as for contemplation, photography, creativity, or an escape from everyday life into a landscape that imposes nothing and simply invites discovery.

Key Features of the Karst on Pag

Pag’s karst relief offers a fascinating combination of surface and underground forms that not only testify to geological processes but also create an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves exploring beyond the usual routes. Particularly interesting are the karren, sinkholes, pits, coves, and the branching underground world of caves that extends beneath the surface.

a) Karren (limestone grooves) are shallow yet sharp grooves and furrows formed by the long-term action of water on exposed limestone. These natural incisions are often parallel and form where limestone is exposed to the elements without a protective layer of soil or vegetation. On Pag, karren are especially pronounced in the southern and eastern parts of the island—for example, around Metajna, Novalja, and on the plateau near the Zaglava viewpoint—where you can experience a true “walk on the Moon.”

For hikers and adventurers, karren present attractive and demanding terrain. Walking here offers a unique sense of close contact with nature. They’ve also become popular among trail runners, trekkers, and photographers, as the scenes can feel almost otherworldly—especially when viewed against the blue of the sea and sky.

b) Pits, sinkholes, and coves
In addition to karren, Pag abounds in numerous sinkholes—round or oval depressions formed by the collapse of underground cavities. Sinkholes often retain moisture, which is why rare and endemic plants frequently grow within them.

Pits and dolines represent deeper openings that lead into the underground, and some are connected to larger cave systems. In Pag’s karst you’ll also find a series of coves partially shaped by erosion and rock collapse.

Outdoor enthusiasts can explore these areas on foot or by bicycle. Popular hiking and cycling routes—such as the one from Novalja toward Ručica—offer spectacular views of the karst landscape, passing through sinkholes and along the edges of rocky coves. The Life on Mars trail delivers an adventurous journey through the island’s most dramatic terrain.

Pag abounds with numerous sinkholes

c) Caves and the underground world
Beneath Pag’s rocky surface lies a network of intriguing caves and pits, formed over millennia by natural processes—rock dissolution and collapse of cave ceilings. The best-known is Povljanska jama, located near Povljana, which has been explored and is partly open for tourist and educational visits.

Povljanska jama reveals a wealth of subterranean forms. Exploring such sites is recommended with a guide or as part of speleological excursions occasionally organized by local associations and clubs. These outings offer a unique opportunity to discover the invisible world beneath Pag’s surface and to learn about the importance of protecting underground flora and fauna. Caves on Pag often conceal archaeological traces—fragments of pottery, bones, and tools—indicating they were used as far back as prehistoric times.

How the Karst Shapes the Island’s Look and Life

Karst relief is not only a geological phenomenon—it is the foundation of Pag’s identity. This landscape, shaped over millions of years by water, wind, and time acting on a limestone base, has created a visually striking environment dominated by gray rocks, sharp karren edges, broad plateaus, and winding sinkholes.

Such terrain has profoundly influenced island life throughout history. Along with part of Krk, Pag is one of Croatia’s least forested islands—a result of both deforestation and karst processes. Without roots to hold the soil, rains and winds further washed away fertile earth, accelerating the baring of the land.

Due to the lack of surface drinking water, life on Pag has always been marked by restraint and adaptation. Residents built cisterns (gustjerne/šterne) to collect rainwater, which was carefully stored and shared. The first organized water supply via pipelines arrived only in the second half of the 20th century. Until then, many homes—especially in remote villages—relied on water delivered by tankers and horse-drawn carts.

Farming on Pag has always meant a struggle with stone. Instead of broad fields, people made gomile—small plots where they could plant vines, onions, figs, or olives. Yet Pag is best known for its sheep, perfectly adapted to the karst. Their diet is based on aromatic wild herbs that thrive in poor soil, which gives the meat and milk a distinctive flavor. That is how the world-famous Pag cheese came to be—a product directly tied to the karst landscape and the island’s microclimate. Karst also influenced settlement patterns: many houses were built along the coast, where the ground was more accessible, while the island’s interior remained sparsely populated.

Today, this relief is no longer a challenge but a tourism asset. More and more visitors see in this landscape a space for physical and mental relaxation. Many describe walking over the karren as walking on Mars, and a night in a campsite under the stars near the “Moon Plateau” by Metajna as one of the quietest and purest experiences of their lives.

Pag as a karst-based travel destination

Interestingly, even in this arid, stony environment, a great number of rare and endemic plant species thrive, making Pag attractive to lovers of botany, ecology, and photography. Among them are plants that have adapted over centuries to extreme conditions—such as rock jasmine, several species of immortelle, sage, and other endemics specific to the Dinaric karst. Spring and early autumn are ideal times to explore the island’s flora, when plant life flourishes and captivates observers and photographers. Protected areas like the ornithological reserve—though primarily known for birds—also hide botanical treasures.

Pag as a Karst-Shaped Travel Destination

Pag Island, with its dramatic karst relief, is increasingly attracting travelers in search of authentic experiences, far from crowds and well-worn tourist routes. Its moonlike scenery—shaped by wind, salt, and time—offers a unique sense of freedom, vastness, and silence, ideal for anyone who wants a break from the rush of everyday life and to feel nature in its rawest form.

Camping on karst terrain is a special experience. There are no lush pine forests or soft grassy meadows here. Instead, visitors are surrounded by bare rocks, dry-stone walls, sparse vegetation, and open horizons. This very bareness creates a singular feeling, where only the sound of wind or waves breaks the silence. In the heart of Pag—among fragrant Mediterranean herbs, unspoiled nature, and crystal-clear sea—stand our two camps, Terra Park SpiritoS and Terra Park Phalaris, which combine an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere with top-tier infrastructure. Terra Park SpiritoS, near Kolan, offers a long natural beach, privacy, three types of pitches, and modern mobile homes—some with private pools. On the island’s southwest coast, just minutes from Novalja, Terra Park Phalaris provides luxury camping, a beach bar, a restaurant, and abundant sports facilities. You can choose from spacious pitches, glamping tents, and premium mobile homes, while the surroundings are graced by the Lun olive groves, Pag’s dry-stone walls, and proximity to national parks.

A blend of nature, karst, and authentic experience

Active tourism truly comes into its own here. Hiking and cycling along stone paths that wind between karren, dry-stone walls, and subtle elevation changes deliver challenge and reward at every step. Coastal walks or climbs to viewpoints—such as the one above Metajna—reveal vistas that shift from hour to hour. Nature lovers can also enjoy birdwatching, especially in ornithological reserves like Kolanjsko blato, where numerous waders and migratory birds can be seen.

No visit to Pag is complete without touring its famous saltworks, the backbone of the local economy for centuries. Located in Pag Bay, the Pag Saltworks have operated since Roman times and today bring together tradition, nature, and tourism. Visitors can take an educational tour through evaporation pools, see how salt is harvested, and learn how salt and the bora wind have shaped life on the island.

A Blend of Nature, Karst, and Authentic Experience

Pag is unlike other Adriatic islands. Its karst landscape—often compared to the Moon’s surface—does not hide its ruggedness; it proudly displays it. That very stripped-down beauty makes Pag special for anyone seeking more than a typical holiday.

For explorers, adventurers, and families seeking a richer experience, Pag is an island that inspires. The possibility of camping in natural, authentic locations enables a deeper connection with the environment.

Karst relief is not just a geological fact—it’s Pag’s signature. Its bareness becomes an advantage: offering freedom, contemplation, and a deeper bond with nature. Karren, pits, coves, and caves are not just shapes in the landscape; they are spaces for exploration and a chance to step away from the familiar.

Camping, hiking, cycling, and caving are the best ways to discover Pag’s true character. Every step across the karst, every look toward the open sea or the starry sky, leads to a deeper sense of place, of self, and of nature.

If you’re looking for a destination where nature isn’t prettified but shown honestly, Pag is for you. In the silence, vastness, and beauty of the karst, it’s ready to keep you longer than you planned.

Pag is a destination for you

Pag Island isn’t a place you just visit—it’s a space you feel and remember. Its rugged, open karst becomes the frame for personal experiences, encounters with nature, and moments of silence that are increasingly precious today. On Pag you won’t find hyped attractions or crowds, but something far more important: room for yourself.

Whether you come to camp under the stars, hike across the karren, explore caves, or simply watch the sun sink behind rocky hills, Pag offers an authentic experience of the Mediterranean in its primordial form. Every stone, every dry-stone path, and every breath of bora wind is a reminder of nature’s endurance and a simplicity that sets you free.

That’s why Pag isn’t just an island for a single holiday—it’s a destination you return to. Not because it changes much, but precisely because it stays true to itself. And once you feel the silence of the karst, you’ll realize it has given you more than you expected.

vrh stranice