A Day Trip From Split To The Krka National Park

Europe Hiking 1

Croatia and the Balkans are synonymous with natural beauty, even if you don’t know the region’s violent, often arbitrary history. You know of Dubrovnik and Sarajevo, and you’ve likely seen pictures of Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes, one of the world’s most famous national parks.

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A Trip from Split to Krka National Park Croatia

Where is the Krka National Park in Croatia

Krka National Park is located about an hour north of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, another Croatian Park that is less famous but equally stunning. Stretching from the coastal town of Šibenik into the heart of Croatia’s mountains, often trying out to grab random bits of Croatian forest as it does, Krka National Park is less crowded than Plitvice Lakes and more conveniently located, making it an ideal day trip from Split or, if you’re particularly keen on driving, Dubrovnik.

National Park entrance fee

There’s ample parking (a rarity in Croatia), making it one of the least stressful places you’ll visit. However, parking in Šibenik is less enjoyable if you see the town and its UNESCO sites and plan on battling many inner demons and road rage. Krka’s main entrance is just a few mile’s drive from the city, and it’s a pretty simple process to gain admission to the park.

Ticket prices vary by season. Summer visitors (July – August) pay 200 kunas ($35.19), while those who visit outside of that pay substantially less.

If you visit during the summer, plan on arriving early, as a limited number of tickets are sold throughout the day to better manage the flow of tourists and retain the park’s pristine beauty. Upon paying, you’ll be ushered aboard a bus (you can choose to walk, but it’s hobbits-destroying-the-ring distance) and driven to the mountain’s base, where the hiking trails begin.

Krka Tours

You’ll also be upsold on a few Krka tours, but only take those if you’ve got plenty of time to spend in the park; the most interesting is a boat excursion to the island of Visovac, located at the centre of Krka (you’ll see it on the bus ride). The island includes the Visovac Monastery, which Franciscans founded in 1445 during Hungarian Louis I’s reign.

Beautiful Krka waterfalls croatia

Walking trails

The main walking trail takes about an hour to hike if you don’t stop for anything, but there are lookout points scattered throughout, making that unlikely. Instead, embrace the Croatian knack for moseying and enjoy at least three to four hours exploring—the first significant lookout peers down on Skradinski Buk, a startlingly clear pool filled by a series of cascading waterfalls (at this lookout, I also saw a cat hunting a snake, but I can’t promise that happens every day).

Hiking to the Krka Waterfalls

Follow the trail down through patches of forest, some old abandoned buildings, and several more lookouts, and you’ll arrive at Skradinski Book’s base of the waterfalls. There will likely be crowds of tourists there, but it’s large enough for you to find your patch of land and settle in.

Plenty of people go swimming (myself included), and a litany of shops at the base means you can find food, clothes, and towels. If you didn’t plan well, you could also do like I did and swim in your regular clothes, as the hike back up is arduous enough to either dry you entirely or help you forget that you’re cold and wet.

From the base and the bridge across the pool, you’ll get a great view of the Jaruga Hydroelectric Plant, a marvel itself.

Built in 1895 at the height of the Austro-Hungarian empire, it is the second oldest power plant globally, and you’ll find remnants of it scattered throughout the park. On the return hike, there’s a massive old turbine to touch (and you’re allowed to touch it, as opposed to sneaking touches of historical objects when no one is looking).

The return hike is gruelling and almost entirely made of stairs. Still, there are a few lookout points throughout it, meaning you can pace yourself and get glimpses of the beautiful Krka waterfalls, including from directly beside and above them. After climbing most of the stairs, you’ll enter another shopping area with a few restaurants, making it a perfect place to grab lunch and enjoy the view. More stairs eventually deposit you at the entrance, and the bus returns to your car.

Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park

Most people visit Croatia for Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik, and I can hardly blame them. Both are stunning locations you’ll remember on your last day. However, Krka is an excellent alternative to Plitvice Lakes, especially if you’re looking for day trips from Split or other southern Croatia parts. There, you’ll have time to enjoy the serenity and natural beauty without battling hordes of tourists or obscenely long drives.

No matter where you go to Croatia, expect a welcoming populace, excellent olive oil, waterfalls and a great time.

Guided Activities and Tours Of Croatia

If you want to visit the Krka National Park with a guided tour from Split, check out these activities below:

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Planning to visit the Krka National Park in Croatia? Here is how to get there from Split along with the walking trails to the beautiful waterfalls and day trips to unique places and attractions nearby