Tučepska Vilenjača

Useful Information

Location:	Biokovska cesta, Podgora, Tučepi, Općina Tučepi, 21327, Croatia. Park pirode "Biokovo" (Biokovo Nature Park). (43.28552, 17.08496)
Open:	APR daily 7-19. MAY to AUG daily 6-20. SEP daily 7-19. OCT daily 8-18. Cave tours: only after appointment. [2024]
Fee:	Park: Adults EUR 8, Children (0-7) freeDisabled EUR 5, Cyclists EUR 5. Adrion - the heart of the mountain: Adults EUR 4, Winter EUR 2, Photo Permit EUR 2. [2024]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=1,180 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Jana Bedek, Stefano Taiti, Helena Bilandžija, Emma Ristori, Mariella Baratti (2019): *Molecular and taxonomic analyses in troglobiotic Alpioniscus* (Illyrionethes) species from the Dinaric Karst (Isopoda: Trichoniscidae)**, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 187, Issue 3, November 2019, Pages 539–584. online DOI
Address:	Park prirode Biokovo, Biokovo Nature Park, Franjevački put 2/A, HR-21300 Makarska, Tel: +385-21-733-017. E-mail: E-mail: Biokovo-Imotska jezera Geopark, Ante Starčevića 3, 21260 Imotski, Tel: +385-98-892-552. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Tučepska Vilenjača is an undeveloped cave in the Park prirode Biokovo (Biokovo Nature Park), which is located in the karstified mountain ridge right behind the coastal town Makarska. The park is about 18 km long and 6 km wide, has numerous mountains between 1400 and 1700 m high, which are located right at the coast. In other words the lookouts are spectacular. As a result the main tourist site is the Skywalk, a semicircular bridge with a glass floor protruding from the edge. It is located at the car park Vilenjača, at the road Biokovska cesta, which turns off from D512 near Mravičića, a hamlet which belongs to Općina Tučepi municipality. It is also the location of the Info-Center Park Prirode Biokovo. The park and the Skywalk are signposted. The road goes on and ends actually on the summit of Sveti Jure (Saint George), which is the highest peak with 1762 m asl.

During summer, the site is quite populated, on weekends it's crowded. The road is narrow and winding, and 13 km long to the Skywalk. While the road is two-way, it is only a single lane, with passing places every 300 m, which makes driving on this road slow and strenuous, Only 20 cars are allowed per hour. As a result, they have introduced quite strict rules for entering, you must book your ticket online in advance and be at the entrance reception of the Nature Park on D512 5 minutes before the entry time.

However, this is only for the park, and the open hours are relevant for park visitors. The cave tours are organized by local cavers, and as the cave is at an elevation of more than 1,100 m asl inside the park it is necessary to be physically fit to get there. The tours are full caving tours, the local caving club offers caving courses, winter tours and much more. Tučepska Vilenjača is actually known for its cave animals, several endemic species were found and described here. One of them is the cave spider Mesostalita comotti. As a result, the cave is frequently explored by biospeleologists. The Hrvatsko biospeleološko društvo (HBSD) explored numerous caves in the area during their 1st Biospeleological Expedition – Biokovo 2017.

The cave is located right below the Skywalk, some 100 m lower at the foot of the cliff. The entrance is small and hidden, and they do not publish the coordinates for the protection of the cave, so we have used the location of the info center. Additionally, the cave is gated. For more info on possible tours, contact the Nature Park by email or phone.

We have this cave listed, because there were official guided tours in the early 2000s, see the text by Tony Oldham below. At that time, the internet was still new, and there was not much info on the web, and we actually had no reviewer who visited the cave. A lot happened, the Skywalk was built a few years ago, there is online booking, and much more. There is still no info on the cave tours, and as this cave definitely requires some caving skills, physical fitness, and full caving gear, we guess it is not for the average tourist. On the other hand, the park with its karstified mountains, karren fields, dolines, and of course the spectacular view is well worth a visit, even without the cave tour. That's the reason why this area is also a Geopark, the Biokovo-Imotska jezera Geopark. Numerous karst-related geotopes in the area are now equipped with trails and educated signs.

Tucepska vilenjaca is not a cave that has been adapted for tourists. To reach it, you must take a mountain path and you should wear appropriate boots and take a helmet and lamp. For a tour with a professional guide Tel 385 (0)21 616 924

At an altitude of 1,180 m above sea level, at the base of an impressive 100 m high cliff, is the small concealed entrance of Tucepska vilenjaca Cave. In an amphitheatre of vertical limestone cliffs, with a breathtaking view of the sea, the cave seems to be situated in a location selected by the fairies after whom it was named. According to old stories, the fairies who lived in the cave were unusually beautiful blond girls with horses' legs, who frightened passers by in the dark.

Text by Tony Oldham (2004). With kind permission.