Tramuntana Forest
Tramuntana is the name of the north part of the island of Cres. Cres is a long island and its north part is still in a continental climate belt, while the climate of the south part is already Mediterranean. Therefore the north part is significantly different from the rest of the island: it is covered with deep forests of oak and chestnut, full of mushrooms and mossy rocks, and forest animals such as rabbits, deer, wild boars, mouflons, even moles (which do not live on other Adriatic islands). Snowfall is not unusual in winter, and in the summer the forest is nice and fresh in comparison with other parts of the island.
Tramuntana used to be inhabited, but its villages were gradually deserted during the last century due to the usual reasons: challenging living conditions, world wars, moving to more advanced areas. Visitors are moved by the sight of the remains of these villages, which still stand by the formerly cultivated lands.
Near one of these villages - Petrićevi - is the deepest cave on the island: the 100-metre deep Banić cave. Four complete skeletons of cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) were found at its bottom, and cave biologists found it very interesting since three species of cave bugs were discovered here and they now have “Cres” in their Latin names.
Another point of interest are the ponds used to water the sheep, lovely pastures, and labyrinths made in the meadows as means of deepening the connection between Humans and the Spirit of Nature. The five labyrinths of Tramuntana, modelled after the most famous ancient labyrinths, are dedicated to the old deities of nature and fertility: Vesna, Ishtar, Lada, Tara, and the Rusalki.
The hike trails of Tramuntana largely follow the old routes which once connected the villages, and now connect all these points of interest through the fantastic nature full of wild orchids, butterflies, herbs. In springtime when sage is in bloom the hills are covered in its fragrant purple flowers, attracting honey bees who produce fantastic local sage honey. There are seven mountain trails, seven hike trails, and three bike trails in the forests of Tramuntana. A detailed trail map is available online and in print.