Ako je ona staza zatvorena, kuda onda idemo do obale prije mraka?

Ako means if.

This sentence has a very common Croatian pattern:

• Ako + clause, then
• the main clause

So:

• Ako je ona staza zatvorena = If that path is closed
• kuda onda idemo do obale prije mraka? = where/which way are we going then to the coast before dark?

Croatian uses this structure much like English uses if-clauses.

Because je is a clitic form of biti (to be), and clitics in Croatian usually go very early in the clause, often in the second position.

So instead of:

• Ako ona staza je zatvorena

Croatian prefers:

• Ako je ona staza zatvorena

That sounds natural and standard.

No. Here ona means that.

Croatian forms like onaj / ona / ono can function as demonstratives:

• onaj put = that road/path
• ona staza = that trail/path

So in this sentence, ona staza means that path/trail, not she path.

Because staza is a feminine singular noun, and zatvoren/a/o has to agree with it.

Agreement here is:

• masculine: zatvoren
• feminine: zatvorena
• neuter: zatvoreno

Since staza is feminine, Croatian uses zatvorena.

So:

• staza je zatvorena = the path is closed

In this sentence, it behaves like an adjective in a predicate, but historically it is a passive participle.

In practical learner terms, it works like English closed in:

• The path is closed

So:

• je zatvorena = is closed

You do not need to overthink the label at first; the important part is that it agrees with the noun in gender and number.

Because kuda asks about the route or which way.

A useful contrast is:

• gdje = where (location)
• kamo = where to (destination)
• kuda = which way / by what route

Here the speaker is not just asking for a destination. The destination is already known: do obale (to the coast). The real question is which route to take if that path is closed.

So kuda is exactly the right choice.

Croatian often uses the present tense for something happening now or for an immediate/planned future action, especially in conversation.

So idemo can mean:

• we go
• we are going
• sometimes effectively are we going to go / do we go, depending on context

In this sentence, it sounds natural because the speakers are deciding what to do next.

Onda means then.

It adds the idea of consequence:

• If that path is closed, then where do we go...?

It helps connect the two parts logically and can also add a slight tone of so... what now?

Because do means to / as far as / up to, and it takes the genitive case.

So:

• do obale = to the coast / as far as the coast

This focuses on reaching that general destination.

By contrast:

• na obalu = onto the shore / to the shore

  That version can sound a bit more like movement onto the bank, beach, or edge itself. In many contexts both are possible, but do obale is very natural for getting to the coast.

Also note the case:

• nominative: obala
• genitive after do: obale

Mraka is genitive singular.

That is because the preposition prije (before) requires the genitive.

So:

• mrak = darkness / dark
• prije mraka = before dark / before nightfall

This is a very useful pattern to remember:

• prije + genitive

Because Croatian often drops subject pronouns when the verb ending already makes the subject clear.

Here:

• idemo already means we go / we are going

So adding mi is usually unnecessary unless you want extra emphasis:

• kuda onda mi idemo...? = more like where are we going, then?

The version without mi is the normal neutral one.

Yes, Croatian word order is fairly flexible, but not completely free. The version in the sentence is natural and idiomatic.

For example, these are possible with different emphasis:

• Ako je ona staza zatvorena, kuda onda idemo do obale prije mraka?
• Ako je ona staza zatvorena, onda kuda idemo do obale prije mraka?

The original puts kuda first in the question part, which is very normal because question words usually come early.

It can be any of those depending on context.

Staza often means:

• path
• trail
• track
• sometimes footpath

In this sentence, path or trail is probably the most natural English match.

Yes, but the nuance changes a little.

Very roughly:

• ta staza = that path (the one we’re talking about / that one near you or already known)
• ona staza = that path over there / that more distant one

In real speech, the distinction is not always dramatic, but ona can sound a bit more like that one over there.