Vidova Gora on Brač: Hiking, Friendship and the Spirit of 12 Peaks Challenge Up

Sometimes the most beautiful journeys are the ones that slow us down and remind us how important it is to pause, take a deep breath, and simply be present in the moment. In a world where we are constantly rushing from one obligation to another, nature reminds us of what truly matters, movement, connection, and inner peace. As part of the 12 Peaks – Challenge Up project, our eleventh hike took us to Brač, an island of stone, olive trees, crystal-clear sea, and breathtaking views.

It was a weekend filled with nature, friendship, learning, and new experiences that will stay with us for a long time. Before beginning our ascent to Vidova Gora (778 m), the highest peak of all Croatian islands, we explored some of the most remarkable places Brač has to offer. Our first stop was the fascinating Blaca Hermitage, a unique monastery hidden among the rocks, far away from the noise of modern life. As we walked along the rocky trail leading to this historic site, it felt as if we were travelling through time. Blaca is not only a cultural monument but also a story of perseverance, knowledge, hard work, and living in harmony with nature.

During the weekend, our home was Gažul Mountain Hut, located in the heart of Brač’s natural landscape. Surrounded by dry-stone walls, pine trees, and the scents of Mediterranean herbs, it provided the perfect place to relax after long hours of walking. Evenings spent under the stars, sharing meals and conversations, reminded us that the simplest moments are often the most valuable.

We would like to express our special gratitude to the members of Mountaineering Society Profunda, who welcomed us with open hearts and made us feel at home. Their hospitality, warm smiles, and delicious local treats, fresh figs, cherries, and traditional rožata, showed us the very best of the hiking community. Hiking is not only about reaching summits; it is also about meeting people, sharing experiences, and building friendships that remain long after the journey ends.

The day before the hike, we also found time to enjoy the beautiful Lovrečina Beach, one of the most stunning locations on the island. The turquoise sea, the scent of pine trees, and the peaceful atmosphere were the perfect preparation for the challenge awaiting us the following day. We also visited the Stonemasonry School of Pučišća, a unique educational institution renowned throughout Europe. Brač stone has been used in many famous buildings around the world, and the tradition of working with this remarkable material has been passed down from generation to generation. It was a reminder of how important knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage are to the identity of a community.

Then came the moment we had travelled to Brač for, the ascent to Vidova Gora. The heat, fatigue, and kilometres of trails reminded us that every summit comes at a price. The path to the top is not always easy, just as many of the challenges we face in everyday life are not easy. Yet this is exactly why the view from the summit feels so rewarding. Before us stretched the famous Zlatni Rat beach, the sparkling Adriatic Sea, countless islands, and a horizon that seemed endless. In those moments, everything felt simpler, and the sense of achievement is difficult to put into words. The 12 Peaks Challenge Up project is about much more than hiking. It is a story about mental health, inclusion, community, and the belief that the hardest step is always the first one. The step that takes us out of our comfort zone, helps us overcome obstacles, and leads us towards something new. Every summit we reach represents small personal victories that together create meaningful change.

This time, Brač gave us much more than beautiful photographs and spectacular views. It gave us new friendships, moments of peace, inspiration, and another reminder of why we walk.Thank you to PD Profunda for your hospitality and support. Thank you, Brač, for the unforgettable memories.

See you at the next summit.

Moments captured by Davor Galjanić.

Croatian version below

Vidova gora na Braču: planinarenje, zajedništvo i duh projekta 12 Peaks Challenge Up

Ponekad su najljepša putovanja ona koja nas uspore i podsjete koliko je važno zastati, duboko udahnuti i jednostavno biti prisutan u trenutku. U vremenu kada često jurimo od obveze do obveze, priroda nas podsjeća na ono bitno, kretanje, zajedništvo i unutarnji mir. U sklopu projekta 12 Peaks Challenge Up, naš jedanaesti uspon odveo nas je na Brač, otok kamena, maslina, mora i nevjerojatnih pogleda. Bio je to vikend ispunjen prirodom, druženjem, učenjem i novim iskustvima koja će još dugo ostati u našim sjećanjima.

Prije samog uspona na Vidovu goru (778 m), najviši vrh svih hrvatskih otoka, istraživali smo neka od najposebnijih mjesta koja Brač nudi. Naša prva postaja bila je fascinantna Pustinja Blaca, jedinstveni samostan skriven među stijenama, daleko od gradske vreve. Dok smo hodali kamenitim stazama prema ovom povijesnom lokalitetu, imali smo osjećaj kao da putujemo kroz vrijeme. Blaca nisu samo spomenik kulture, već i priča o upornosti, znanju, radu i životu u skladu s prirodom. Tijekom vikenda naš dom bila je planinarska kuća Gažul, smještena u srcu bračke prirode. Okruženi suhozidima, borovima i mirisima mediteranskog bilja, pronašli smo mjesto idealno za odmor nakon dugih kilometara hodanja. Večeri provedene pod zvjezdanim nebom, uz razgovore i zajedničke obroke, podsjetile su nas koliko su jednostavni trenuci često i najvrjedniji.

Posebnu zahvalnost dugujemo članovima Planinarskog društva Profunda, koji su nas dočekali otvorena srca i učinili da se osjećamo kao kod kuće. Njihova gostoljubivost, osmijesi i domaće delicije – smokve, trešnje i izvrsna rožata – pokazali su nam ono najbolje što planinarska zajednica može ponuditi. Planinarenje nije samo osvajanje vrhova; ono je i prilika za upoznavanje ljudi, razmjenu iskustava i stvaranje prijateljstava koja ostaju dugo nakon povratka kući. Dan prije uspona pronašli smo vrijeme i za osvježenje na prekrasnoj plaži Lovrečina, jednom od najljepših kutaka Brača. Tirkizno more, miris borova i spokojna atmosfera bili su savršena priprema za izazove koji su nas čekali sljedećeg dana. Posjetili smo i Klesarsku školu Pučišća, jedinstvenu obrazovnu ustanovu poznatu diljem Europe. Brački kamen ugrađen je u brojne poznate građevine, a tradicija njegove obrade ovdje se prenosi s generacije na generaciju. Bio je to podsjetnik koliko su znanje, vještine i kulturna baština važni za identitet jednog kraja.

A zatim je došao trenutak zbog kojeg smo došli na Brač, uspon na Vidovu goru. Vrućina, umor i kilometri prijeđenih staza podsjetili su nas da svaki vrh ima svoju cijenu. Put prema vrhu nije uvijek lagan, baš kao ni mnogi izazovi s kojima se susrećemo u svakodnevnom životu. No upravo zato pogled s vrha ostaje tako poseban. Pred nama su se otvorili Zlatni rat, more, otoci i horizont koji kao da nema kraja. U tim trenucima sve postaje jednostavnije, a osjećaj postignuća teško je opisati riječima. Projekt 12 Peaks Challenge Up nije samo priča o planinarenju. To je priča o mentalnom zdravlju, uključivanju, zajedništvu i vjeri da je najteži uvijek prvi korak. Korak kojim izlazimo iz svoje zone sigurnosti, nadvladavamo prepreke i krećemo prema nečem novom. Svaki vrh koji osvojimo simbol je malih osobnih pobjeda koje zajedno stvaraju velike promjene. Brač nam je ovog puta dao mnogo više od lijepih fotografija i impresivnih pogleda. Dao nam je nova prijateljstva, trenutke mira, inspiraciju i još jedan podsjetnik zašto hodamo.

Hvala PD Profunda na gostoprimstvu i podršci. Hvala Braču na svim nezaboravnim trenucima.

Vidimo se na sljedećem vrhu.

Trenutke je zabilježio Davor Galjanić.