Via Ferrata · Novalja
How to choose
Both tours run 4h with Sunturist at Ručica beach on Pag Island, both rated Sporty, and both tackle the same 'Life on Mars' via ferrata route. The 32 € gap comes down to one thing: the 72 € option adds a guided kayak leg before the climb, combining open-water paddling with ironwork ascent in a single half-day. If you want pure vertical intensity on the via ferrata, the 40 € hike-and-climb package delivers exactly that. If you want two physical disciplines and a bigger physical output for the same 4h window, the kayak combo is the clear pick. Both are guided in English and Croatian, so no language barrier on the rock face.
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Our picks
Guided Hiking and ‘Life on Mars’ Via Ferrata from Ručica beach near Novalja
40 € gets you a full 4h guided via ferrata on the 'Life on Mars' route, the most direct path to ironwork climbing on Pag Island's exposed limestone.
Guided Kayak and ‘Life on Mars’ Via Ferrata Excursion from Ručica beach near Novalja
At 72 €, the kayak-plus-via-ferrata combo packs two high-effort disciplines into a single 4h block, starting with open-water paddling and finishing on the rock face.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most intense moment on this via ferrata?
The 'Life on Mars' route gets its name from the raw, lunar-looking limestone terrain of Pag Island. The hardest sections involve exposed traverses on iron rungs above the Adriatic, where the drop below and the open sea in front combine for maximum adrenaline.
Do you need to be afraid of heights to enjoy this?
Some exposure to height is built into every via ferrata by design. On this route, the Sporty physical level means you will face genuine vertical sections. If heights cause real distress, this is not the right starting point.
Is the kayak combo more physically demanding than the hike-only tour?
Yes. Both tours are classified Sporty and run 4h, but the kayak version stacks upper-body paddling on top of the climbing effort. Expect your arms to be working hard before you even clip into the via ferrata harness.
What season is this available?
Tours run from May through October. July and August offer the most stable weather on Pag Island but also the busiest crowds, so booking ahead is essential for those months.
Can beginners do the 40 € tour, or is prior climbing experience required?
The Sporty level means good baseline fitness is expected, but prior climbing experience is not listed as a requirement. The guide leads the group and the ferrata infrastructure (rungs, cables, anchors) does the technical work for you.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.6°C | 109.2 mm | Possible |
| February | 8.1°C | 94.3 mm | Possible |
| March | 9°C | 140.1 mm | Possible |
| April | 13.4°C | 110.5 mm | Possible |
| May | 16.8°C | 96.3 mm | Good |
| June | 21.2°C | 67 mm | Peak |
| July | 24.8°C | 46.6 mm | Peak |
| August | 25.2°C | 34.1 mm | Peak |
| September | 21.2°C | 71.8 mm | Peak |
| October | 15.8°C | 137 mm | Good |
| November | 11°C | 189.6 mm | Possible |
| December | 4.4°C | 97.6 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear closed-toe shoes with a stiff sole and bring a small hydration pack for the 4h effort. Sunturist provides harness and helmet, but at Sporty level, gloves protect your palms on the iron rungs and are worth bringing.
Getting there
Both tours meet at Ručica beach in Metajna, on Pag Island, Croatia, accessible by road from Novalja in under 10 minutes.
See also
Via Ferrata elsewhere
Other activities in Novalja
Updated March 2026