Bošana: Coast, Forest and Trails on Pag

Bošana brings together coastal scenery, forest areas and hiking trails on the island of Pag. The area stretches across steep cliffs above the sea and offers views of Pag Bay. It has pebble and sandy beaches surrounded by rocks, as well as the Dubrava-Hanzine Special Reserve and trails with viewpoints. This lets you experience Bošana from different perspectives, depending on your interests: from the beach area, along a trail or with views of the bay’s landscape.

The Coast and Surroundings of Bošana

The beaches differ in their surface: the area has both pebble and sandy beaches, each in surroundings shaped by rocks. The beach area of Bošana is about a 15-minute drive from the town of Pag. The sea is cooler there because of freshwater springs. The surrounding area also has a pine forest planted more recently, along with protected oak forests near Sveta Marija and Dubrava.

Immediately behind Bošana lies the Dubrava-Hanzine Special Reserve of Forest Vegetation. It preserves remnants of the original holm oak forest and is considered the only protected natural area of its kind within the town of Pag. The vegetation in this area is adapted to the harsh island climate, with strong bora winds and salt spray. The forest therefore offers a different focus from the rocky coast and beaches: here, the remaining holm oaks and the distinctive conditions of the island’s vegetation take center stage.

Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

The linear route “Staza Pod okriljem Sv. Vida” is 5.8 kilometers long. A 2.9-kilometer section runs through Bošana and includes beaches, viewpoints over Pag Bay, the Dubrava-Hanzine Special Reserve, and the information panels “Šuma Boga Peruna” and “U prirodi nikad nisi sam.” The starting point is at a viewpoint with a small parking area before Bošana. The route thus connects several of the landscape features described above in one section, although the beach, viewpoints and forest offer different experiences: the viewpoints draw your gaze to the bay, while the reserve puts the forest vegetation in the foreground.

Sv. Vid is the highest peak on the island of Pag and lies directly above Pag Bay. Marked hiking trails lead to the summit from Šimuni, Kolan and Dubrava, among other places. Sv. Vid, above Bošana, can be reached by a steep and challenging hiking trail; trail conditions can vary by season, so check them locally before setting out. This information helps distinguish the linear route through Bošana from the trails that lead to the summit. The chapel of Saint Vitus on Sv. Vid was built in 1348, adding a historical aspect to the summit’s landscape.

When planning your stay, you can prioritize these features according to your interests: the beaches and views of the bay define the coastal area, while Dubrava-Hanzine offers a different perspective on protected forest vegetation. For hikers, both the course of the 5.8-kilometer linear route and the marked access trails to Sv. Vid are relevant. The steep, challenging trail via Bošana is distinct from the routes mentioned from Šimuni, Kolan and Dubrava; the descriptions do not indicate that every access trail follows the same route or has the same conditions.

Discover more destinations: Kosljun, Kolanjski Gajac, Miskovici, Metajna, Zubovici, Gorica, Šimuni, Vidalici.

For the broader travel overview: Općina Pag.