Croatia’s Krka Trail

Intro

The accommodation is basic but very clean and comfortable – the base is a guest house which gives you a real sense of local culture; all the rooms both at the farm and on the trail are ensuite (twin/double or triple).

Meals are freshly prepared and can accommodate dietary needs. They include local specialties like Arambasici, tasty meat cooked in cabbage leaves or Pasticada beef cooked with garlic and wine – a lot of the food you are served is grown on the ranch and includes plenty of fresh vegetables and options for vegetarians.

This ride is ideal for the riders that want to experience wild and unspoiled countryside. You will be fall in love with the quaint and romantic villages of Dalmatia. And it will be inspirational to see the Dinara and Svilaja mountains along the way.

Your trail follows the river and Peruca lake and you will pass the romantic old towns of Vrlika and Drnis. After passing Drnis you will arrive into the Krka National Park - a true destination in itself.

Day 1: Arrival

Independent arrival to Split. Transfers to the ranch can be arranged for an additional fee.

If you wish you can visit the town of Sinj and the remains of the fortress of Grad (the Town). One of the famous battles in this area was in the year 1715 when the people of Sinj, inspired by their faith in Our Lady of Sinj drove away the powerful Turkish army which had besieged the town.

People from all over the world come to Sinj just to see this amazing ALKA games, which have been performed every year since 1715. Guarding the symbols of the victory with their original outfits, the people of Sinj simulate the battle with horses.

Once at the ranch, you can relax and get to know other riders, the horses and friendly team on the ranch. You may even have time for a quick swim in the pool!

Dinner will take place at sunset and you can relax, enjoy wine from their ranch’s own vineyards, and eat delicious local food as well.

Day 2: Introductory Ride - about 3-4 hours riding

After a lovely home cooked breakfast, you will set off for your introductory ride to get a feel for the area as well as your assigned horse. Today is the day where the guides are able to tweak the pairing as needed, so don't be shy if you have any questions or would prefer any changes.

And while it's an introductory ride, it's not at all ho-hum as you still have an exhilarating gallop in the big fields of Sinj, and then a chance for you and your horse to cool off as you swim in the river.

After which, you head back to the ranch where lunch will be waiting.

Your afternoon is at leisure so you can relax by the pool, take a walk - or - this is a very good day to explore the town of Sinj and the remains of the fortress Grad.

Day 3: River Cetina and Lake Peruca - about 5-6 hours riding

After breakfast you will tack up your horse and ride through beautiful fields up to the river Cetina where you can have a long fun gallop - a great way to start your day!

Lunch is waiting in a peaceful and bucolic setting by the river. After lunch the ride climbs up rolling hillsides to the plateau named “Bitelic”. You will ride on old Roman stone roads and enjoy the views of the mountains Dinara and Svilaja that surround you.

Along the way, the trail passes an old stone village called “Vucipolje” which takes you to the lake Peruca where you can swim with your horse - so bring your bathing suit! After a break, you will leave the horses by the lake for the night and be transferred about 20 minutes back to the ranch by car, and where a lovely dinner and glass of home-made wine await. This evening you'll enjoy traditional guitar music played by Bosko - a very special treat.

Day 4: Town of Vrlika - about 6 hours riding

After breakfast, you will pack a bag for the next three nights and then be driven to the horses for tacking up. The start of the ride follows the water's edge along the lake of Peruca.

You'll be all giddy and energetic with the fun trots and long fast gallops along the way - so you may want to take a quick dip in the river before taking your lunch break. After lunch, the ride will cross the river and you will have another long gallop through the lush open fields, arriving at the village of Vrlika where you can learn about the rich and dynamic history of the area.

Tonight, you will enjoy a home grown traditional dinner and an overnight in a family home. Often, guests love the chance to take a stroll to explore the town after dinner.

Day 5: Mountain Trail - about 6 hours riding

After breakfast and tacking up, the ride begins by riding through Vrlika before you start climbing up the mountains through the village of Maovice.

At the top of the mountain you will behold breathtaking panoramic views across the beautiful landscape rivers, fields and hills. After a quick break (and great photo ops), the ride descends down to the foot of the mountain where lunch will be waiting.

After lunch, the pace will pick up as you trot, canter and gallop through vineyards and open land to the town of Drnis. After untacking, it's a short ride to the agriturismo in the center of the town, where you can refresh yourself before a short walk to the restaurant where you will have a lovely meal of more traditional Croatian cuisine with a selection of local wines.

Day 6: Visovac Island - about 3 hours riding

Today is a great riding day as it's the day you head into the Krka National Park. As the terrain is more demanding of the horses, the pace is not as fast as the earlier days. Your first stop is the town of Bristane, where lunch will be served at a family farm with local cuisine and schnapps.

After lunch and leaving the horses, you will travel by boat to see the island of Visovac which is counted among the most important natural and prehistorical monuments of the Republic of Croatia. Since 1445 it has been the site of the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the church of Our Lady of Visovac.

The monastery has an important archaeological collection of historical vessels and a rich library of historical manuscripts and valuable books. After a chance to explore the island you will enjoy a sightseeing tour to see “Roski Slap” waterfalls. If you like, you can even have a quick swim in the river.

Dinner and overnight in Bristane.

Day 7: Cikola Canyon and Krka National Park - about 5 hour riding

In the morning you will continue this epic week with good long trots and gallops to the Canyon of the river Cikola. The canyon is truly one of the most beautiful places at Kraka National Park.

On your right, you'll have the river Cikola entering the Visovac lake surrounded with enormous cliffs, it's a true site and very rich in colorful and varied plants. The ride continues and makes its way down into the canyon for more good trots and gallops until you cross the Cikola river and climb back up the canyon where a well deserved lunch and cold beverage are waiting.

After a lunch the ride takes you through the villages Goris and Konjevrate with many fun trots and gallops along the way, until you find yourself at the entrance of the National Park Krka called “Skradinski Buk”.

It's an amazing and triumphant place and way to end of this unforgettable week. After you untack and bid your steed a fond farewell you will be transferred back to the ranch.

If you like, this afternoon also allows time for sightseeing and to visit “Skradinski Buk” the longest and most widely visited series of waterfalls on the Krka river. It is the one of the best known natural beauties of Croatia. The waterfalls are composed of travertine barriers, islands and lakes, which can be viewed freely thanks to a network of paths and bridges that enable a comfortable and safe walk. For those interested, at the bottom of the waterfalls you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water.

As a point of fact, the travertine cascades of the Krka river are made of very delicate material and are sensitive to natural changes and all human activity. They can even be considered a living creature as they grow, develop and age and can die if there is no water.

Day 8: Departure back to Split

After a final home cooked breakfast you will bid farewell to your new friends, sharing details and photos of not just your own unforgettable memories of this week but of this incredible area.