Plješivica

Plješivica is a mountain peak in the municipality of Grad Knin, in Šibenik-Knin County, rising to 1,148 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Dinaric Alps and is one of nine mountains surrounding Knin, alongside Dinara, Kozjak, Svilaja, Vilica, Orlovica, Bukovac, Badnja and Promina. Worth clarifying upfront: this is not the famous Lička Plješivica on the Bosnian border in the Lika region — this Plješivica is a separate, lower and lesser-known peak near Knin, but still a rewarding destination for hikers exploring the Dinaric karst.

How do you get to Plješivica?

Knin is the natural starting point, sitting at the foot of the whole mountain range from which trails branch out toward the surrounding peaks. The terrain around Knin is classic karst country, crossed by stony tracks and old shepherd paths still used by local hikers today. It's worth picking up a regional map or checking with a local mountaineering club before setting out, since this particular trail sees far less traffic than the routes up Dinara.

What will you see along the way?

Plješivica has a topographic prominence of 156 metres and sits near the higher peak of Samar (1,233 m), located 3.3 km to the northeast. The wider massif culminates in Troglav (1,913 m), more than 30 km away. A marked hiking trail leads to the summit, running through terrain typical of this stretch of the Dinaric Alps: rocky ground, low karst vegetation, and views toward the neighbouring ridges that ring Knin. It's a rugged landscape, but a characteristic one for the mountainous hinterland behind the town.

Where can you stay nearby?

Within the mountain range around Knin, in the Dinara area, sits the Brezovac mountain hut at 1,050 m, used as a base for longer hikes across the surrounding peaks, including routes toward Plješivica. Local mountaineering clubs — HPD Dinara and HPD Troglav — run guided hikes in the region for visitors of varying experience, from beginners to seasoned mountain climbers.

When is the best time to visit?

Knin has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers, so spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking the Dinaric karst, when temperatures are milder and the exposed trails less punishing. In winter, the higher parts of the range around Dinara can carry snow, which calls for proper gear and mountain experience.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Plješivica near Knin? The peak rises to 1,148 m above sea level, with a topographic prominence of 156 m.

Is this the same mountain as the famous Lička Plješivica? No. Lička Plješivica lies in the Lika region, on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is much higher (its highest point, Ozeblin, reaches 1,657 m). The Plješivica described here is a separate, smaller peak in Šibenik-Knin County, near Knin.

Is there a hiking trail to the summit? Yes, a marked hiking trail leads to the top, accessible to hikers setting out from the Knin area.

Where can you stay overnight during a hike? The nearest base is the Brezovac mountain hut (1,050 m) in the Dinara range, used by local mountaineering clubs as a starting point for trips into this part of the mountains.