Molat: Island History, Trails and Sailing Bays

Molat can be approached for travel planning through three themes: history, trails, and coastline. The island’s history, the different trail profiles, and the coastal locations provide specific points of reference.

History Across Several Eras

Molat has been inhabited since the Paleolithic. In the Middle Ages, one of Dalmatia’s oldest fishing villages developed on the island. A much later chapter begins in 1942: from that year, an Italian concentration camp was located on Molat, where members of the Partisan forces were imprisoned. The camp’s former command building is registered as a cultural property of the Republic of Croatia. The early settlement, the medieval fishing history, and the history of the camp belong to different eras and offer a broad perspective on Molat’s past.

Cycling and Hiking on Different Trails

The Bargamul Trail is a cycling route in the central part of Molat and starts in the small village of Brgulje. Its sights include the Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle. This connects the route description to a specific starting point and a named historical landmark along the way.

The trail descriptions differ considerably for hikers and runners: the Vranač Trail is considered easy and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It passes the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Vapojni Trail, by contrast, is rated difficult and runs through pine forests and olive groves. If you are planning a hike, use the relevant trail description as a guide and check local conditions, as they may change.

Molat is covered with maquis and pine forests; you can also walk along forest tracks on the island. The olive groves along the Vapojni Trail add another specific feature to this landscape. The options therefore differ not only in their difficulty ratings, but also in the landscapes mentioned along individual trails.

Bays and Coastal Locations

Molat’s many bays are popular destinations for boaters and sailors. Brgulje Bay attracts many sailors and is especially busy during the summer months; this seasonal visitor pattern may vary. The sea in the bay is known for its crystal-clear appearance. The beaches near Brgulje are also notable and are among Molat’s best beach areas. If access or facilities are important for your beach visit, check local conditions before you travel.

Brguljak, an uninhabited, wooded island, is also located in Brgulje Bay. The bays of Jaz and Lučina are near the village of Molat. These place names help distinguish the different coastal references: Brgulje is both a bay associated with sailing and the location of the beaches mentioned; Jaz and Lučina are bays near the village of Molat, while Brguljak is a separate island within Brgulje Bay.

Getting There: Different Connections and Travel Times

For Jadrolinija ferry 433, the route from Gaženica to Molat via Rivanj, Sestrunj, and Zverinac is listed with a travel time of three hours. For Jadrolinija catamaran 9403, the route from Zadar to Molat, Brgulje, and Zapuntel is listed with a travel time of one hour and 50 minutes. The departure points and routes differ, so the two time estimates are not a direct comparison for the same connection. As schedules and travel times may change, check the current timetable before your trip.

For the general travel overview: Molat.