Krka Waterfalls Croatia
Since the number of guests who visit Krka Waterfalls Croatia has been ever increasing, we bring you a detailed description of the natural wonders you can expect to see along the River.
Among the many reasons why the National Park Krka is recognized as a must-see stop during exploration of natural and cultural values of Dalmatia, one of the most important is that Krka on its course builds seven beautiful and picturesque waterfalls.
From source to Bilušića buk, the first of seven waterfalls, the river Krka runs for 16 kilometers in serpentine but calm manner penetrating the canyon of 60 to 200 meters wide.
The waterfall is very loud and appealing. It consists of two large and several smaller steps at the length of 300 m, with a total altitude difference of 22.4 m. The width of the waterfall can reach up to 100 m. Beyond today’s watercourses, there can be seen an attractive “dead tuff”.
Waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation and following the flow of the river there are small gardens and abandoned mills, both stamping and rolling.
Two kilometers upstream from Bilušića buk at the exit of the canyon Krka expands to 400 m wide and 1,300 m long Coric Lake created by raising the barriers of travertine waterfall Brljan.
Water of the lake flows through a waterfall with over of 15.5 m in total height, because it is drained through a tunnel to the hydropower plant “Miljacka”. Lack of water in the summer, but on the other hand, very high levels of it in the winter, causes cracking and erosion of limestone waterfall making its future extremely uncertain.
There is a very old road crossing the falls since long time ago as evidenced by the remains of Roman military camp Burnum. Krka’s downstream on its way at a distance of about three kilometers form three waterfalls in the magnificent canyon: Manojlovački slap, slap Rošnjak and Miljacka waterfall.
Manojlovački waterfall is the largest and the most beautiful waterfall on the river. It consists of a series of travertine barriers a total height of 59.6 meters with the main waterfall height of 32.2 m. Length of the waterfall is around 500 and its width is around 80 meters.
Among travertine formations on Manojlovac the most commonly represented are rills, caves and half-caves. Remains of numerous mills are visible at the foot of the falls. The waterfall is dry and lifeless for almost half a year, because its water is taken by reservoirs nearby hydrelectric power plant “Miljacka”.
With even color of the rainbow, high waters fall into the depths with a deafening noise. Whoever sees all its exuberant beauty once, they will remember it as one of the most delightful natural beauties.
This site is truly amazing but unfortunately is not in any regaular itinerary However, if you like to visit Manojlovački waterfall you can join us on the private tour from Split to Krka National park.
A mile downstream from Manojlovačkog waterfall in a narrow but almost two hundred meters deep canyon, hidden in untouched nature, there is Rošnjak, the lowest waterfall on the Krka. It consists of a stair approximately 40 meters wide and only 8.4 meters high.
It is the only waterfall on which mills never existed, due to the unavailability. Rošnjak, although intact by a human hand and only to be observed from a distance, is defiled by the lack of water which discharged to the hydroelectric power plant “Miljacka”.
The mystique of the scene and its unavailability reasons are why this single step waterfall is often called “the altar.”
A mile downstream from Rošnjak is Miljacka waterfall. It consists of three large and many small steps with total height of 23.8 meters. The upper part of the waterfall Miijacka is characterized by rills and half-caves, and the lower by the low steps.
The waters of the river Krka are here joined by the waters of river Zrmanja. At the foot of the waterfall there are more collapsed mills and hydro power plant “Miljacka”.
Despite the hydro power plant disturbing the virgin beauty of the falls, it is still a boisterous and playful high waterfall. A hundred meters downstream on the right side of the river there is a cave Miljacka II. where many endemic and protected underground animal species live.
Downstream from Miljacka falls the river suddenly turns to the south, makes its way between steep canyon sides to the monastery Krka or St Archangel, where it expands to form a peaceful river valley.
Leaving the valley, Krka continues on its way through the steep canyon to Roski waterfall which is named after the gardens Rog, whose traces today are not visible. Start of the barrier consists of a series of small cascades (popularly called the ‘Necklace’), and the center is made up of backwaters and isles. In this part the canyon widens to form a funnel. The maximum width of the barrier is 450 meters, the length of around 650 meters, and the total height difference is 25.5 m. The main waterfall is at the end of the barrier where the river Krka crashes into Lake Visovac in a wide range of 15 meters.
On the right bank a rapid hydroelectric power plant “Roski slap” was constructed in 1910. Over the waterfall there is a road, which has linked river banks since Roman times. At the waterfall there are numerous renovated, and in its original form kept mills, pillars and rolling mills for washing cloth. The mills have a cultural and historical significance as monuments of rural architecture and economic history, and given their primary activity and the popular name, they are considered the ethnological and ethnographic monument as well.
Roski waterfall is extremely interesting to visitors for the richness of plant species on the merge of warm and dry, but humid and shady places. A mile downstream the river enters a short canyon called “among the beams”. On the way out of the canyon there is Visovačko Lake, the largest expansion of the river Krka which is connected to the sunken delta of river Čikola and Skradinski buk.
Skradinski Buk is the last of the seven and the longest travertine barrier on the Krka River. The growth of travertine barriers caused a pool of water of the river Krka to form before turning into Roski waterfall and three kilometers of downstream river Čikola, thus creating one of the most unusual and the most beautiful landscape pictures of Krka National park. Over 17 steps of Skradinski buk, spread over 800 meters in length, it is the last time after 49 km of its journey towards the sea, common waters of river Krka and Čikola flow together.
The width of the waterfall is 200 to 400 meters with a total height difference of 45.7 m. A walking path has been constructed across the river. A tour of the track during just a one hour walk, shaded by lush vegetation, one can directly experience a unique microcosm of magical sounds, lights and colors.
Besides the fact that Skradinski buk is the most famous and richest in water waterfall on the Krka, it is a place for observing plant species, travertine barriers and aquatic habitats. A careful observer will notice the singing of nightingales, swimming of trout, fast-moving of grass snakes, diving of fish, sounds of green frogs or playful flight of dragonflies and colorful butterflies. Along the course of the path there are more mills which for centuries used the power of the water flow.
Most of the mills were restored to their original function, and inside them the noise of a millstone can be heard once again. Some mills are rearranged, in accordance with the traditional architectural values, into souvenir shops and exhibition spaces in which there are exposed thematic ethnographic collections of useful items. The exhibits represent the life, work and customs of the people along the banks of the Krka in a distinctive and colorful way.
In the end we can conclude that even though the description was long and wide, it cannot even remotely evoke the mystery and beauty of nature that permeates the area of the national park. Therefore, we recommend that you visit Krka Waterfalls Croatia during your stay in our beautiful country.