Nacionalni Park Krka (Krka National Park)

Nacionalni Park Krka (Krka National Park) Review

The Krka River cuts its way through a gorge shaded by limestone cliffs and dense woodland, tumbling down toward the Adriatic in a series of spectacular pools and waterfalls. The most beautiful stretch has been designated as Nacionalni Park Krka. There are several entrances into the park, but the easiest and most impressive route of arrival is to drive from Sibenik to the town of Skradin, then take a 25-minute boat ride up the Krka River on a national-park ferry (price included in entrance fee). This will bring you to the park entrance close to Skradinski Buk. Within the park there are a couple of snack bars, plus wooden tables and benches for picnics. However, for a full-blown meal your best bet is to return to riverside Skradin, which is itself well worth a look. The town dates back to Roman times, though its recent history is also significant. During the Croatian war for independence it was on the front line, being on the edge of the Serb-held Krajina. Serbs and Croats had lived together peacefully for centuries, as can be seen from Skradin's two church spires, one Catholic the other Orthodox. But in August 1995 most of the Serbs fled when the Croatian army sprung the surprise Oluja (Operation Storm), and they are only now beginning to return. On a happier note, Skradin is popular with sailors, thanks to its marina, and is also home to several good seafood restaurants, where you can order the highly esteemed local shellfish.

A series of seven waterfalls is the main draw here, the most spectacular being Skradinski Buk, where 17 cascades fall 40 meters into an emerald-green pool, perfect for bathing. Moving upriver, a trail of wooden walkways and bridges crisscrosses its way through the woods and along the waterside to the next falls, Roski Slap, passing the tiny island of Visovac, home to a Franciscan monastery, en route. It's possible to visit the monastery by boat. The national park office is in Sibenik.