Svilaja is a limestone mountain range in the Zagora region of Croatia, running parallel to the higher Dinara-Troglav chain. It's a destination for hikers seeking a wilder, less-trodden alpine experience with views over the Sinjsko and Petrovo polje valleys.

The range stretches about 30 km in a northwest-southeast direction. Its highest peak is Bat (1508 m) in the south above Sinj, while further north rise Jančak (1483 m), Kita (1413 m), Turjača (1340 m), Mala Svilaja (1472 m) and Lisina (1301 m) above Vrlika. The terrain is classic karst — a rolling sequence of peaks and sinkholes, riddled with caves and pits. The steep northeastern slopes above the Cetina river are covered in beech and Balkan maple forest, while the dry, gentler southwestern slopes are dotted with hop-hornbeam scrub and stony grazing pastures. Much of the central and northern part of Svilaja remains little explored, known mainly to local shepherds rather than hikers.

How to reach the summit

• Sinjski Zelov — southern approach, considered the safe and most established route, moderate difficulty
• Vrlika — access to the central part of the range, near the newer mountain hut at 1119 m

Practical information

• The Orlove Stine mountain hut stands southeast of the main summit, near Orlove Stine (1139 m)
• A newer mountain hut was opened in 2010 in the Vrlika section of Svilaja, at 1119 m elevation
• Part of central Svilaja between Vrlika and Siverić still contains landmines — stick to known, cleared trails

The Veli vrh summit was the site of the largest infantry battle of the Croatian War of Independence, won by Croatian forces. Svilaja also lends its name to one of the fairies in Petar Zoranić's Renaissance-era novel Planine.