Day Trip from Split to Krka National Park, Croatia

If you’re visiting Split, and are looking for a day trip filled with breathtaking waterfalls, serene nature walks, and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, look no further than Krka National Park. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal experience and tips to help you make the most of your Krka National Park day trip. If you are planning your trip to Split, check out my post on 2 Days in Split: Discovering Hidden Gems Away from the Crowds.

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Getting to Krka

Krka National Park is conveniently located just an hour’s drive from Split. You can reach the park by bus, car, or even by a guided tour from Split. We chose to drive, which allowed us the flexibility to explore at our own pace. Book your tour to Krka below:

There are 5 park entrances to choose from.

• Skradin entrance: use this entrance to visit Skradinski buk waterfall. The park runs boats from Skradin to the waterfall from April-October, or you can hike or bike to the waterfall year round.
• Lozovac entrance: this is the main entrance to the park. There is plenty of parking here, and buses run to Skradinski buk waterfalls from April-October. During the winter, you can drive in with your car.
• Roški slap entrance: use this entrance to visit the Roški slap waterfall. Note that you can also catch boats from the Skradinski buk waterfall from April-October.
• Burnum/Puljane entrance: the archaelogical site of Burum is the main focus of this entrance.
• Kistanje/Krka monastery entrance: the Krka monestary is the main attraction of this entrance. You can also reach the monastery by boat from the Roški slap waterfall from April-October.

First Impressions

Upon arrival, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer beauty of the place. The park is renowned for its series of seven stunning waterfalls, with Skradinski Buk being the largest and most famous. The sound of cascading water and the sight of lush greenery is a refreshing change from the urban environment. There are 5 entrances, which may sound a bit much. If you’re traveling from April-October, you can easily enter at Skradin and visit most everything by boat from there (buses also can take you to almost all of the locations). If you’d like to go by boat, our suggested itinerary is:

• Exploring Skradinski Buk
• Take the boat from Skradinski Buk to Roški slap
• Enjoy lunch at Alte Mühle Kristijan, right next to the Roški slap falls
• Visit Roški slap
• Krka Monestary (boat from Roški slap)

Exploring Skradinski Buk

The walk to Skradinski Buk is a delightful journey. A well-maintained wooden walkway meanders through a network of small lakes and gentle streams, leading you to the majestic waterfall. Here, you can witness the power of nature as water plunges down 17 cascades into a crystal-clear pool below. You can also walk through the complex of watermills.

You can find the boat schedule here.

Swimming at Roški slap, Stinice and Pisak

One of the highlights of Krka National Park is the opportunity to swim in the natural pools. You can no longer swim in the area around Skradinski Buk. You can, however, swim in designated areas at Roški slap, Stinice and Pisak, from 1 June to 30 September. Remember to bring your swimsuit and a towel!

Lunch at Krka National Park

After a morning of exploration, we stopped for lunch at one of the park’s restaurants. They offer a range of local Croatian dishes – I recommend trying the freshly grilled fish along with a glass of local wine. Our favorite was Alte Mühle Kristijan, which is located right next to Roški Slap waterfalls, your next stop on this itinerary.

Visiting Roški Slap

Take a boat trip from to Roški Slap from Skradinski Buk. Roški Slap is another stunning waterfall. You can swim in the lake, but not near the falls.

Krka Monestary

Take a boat trip to the Island of Visovac and medieval fortresses of Nečven and Trošenj. Visovac island hosts a historic monastery and offers a serene atmosphere.

Hiking in the Park

There are extensive trails throughout the park. You can find the whole list on the Krka National Park site. If you are only picking one, we would recommend the Skradin-Skradinski buk hike, which is a 5.8 mile out and back trail. This goes from the Skradinski bridge to the Skradinski buk waterfall. It takes an average of
2 hr 15 min to complete and is moderately challenging.

Biking in the Park

There are 388 km of bike trails through the park, with options for road biking and mountain biking. You can rent electric bikes/pedal-assist bikes directly at the park, but be sure to get advanced reservations. Keep in mind that children’s bikes are not available in the park (contact Riki Bike if you need children’s bikes).

Archaelogical Park or Burum

If time allows, it is worth a visit to the archaelogical site of Burum, which is the location of a Roman military camp. The museum is located in the Krka Eco Campus at Puljane, and houses a variety of items excavated from the finds and a museum.

Park entry fees

Park entry fee to Krka National Park varies by season.

• January-March, November-December: 7 Euros
• April-May, October: 20 Euros
• June-September: 40 Euros

Recommended Krka National Park Day Tours

If you would prefer to take a tour vs driving to Krka from Split, we recommend these:

• Split to Krka Day Tour from Split, with waterfalls and swimming
• Full Day Tour from Split or Trogir with biking

Final Thoughts on a Krka National Park Day Trip

Your Krka National Park day trip is not just about waterfalls. Krka is a haven for biodiversity. As you walk through the trails, keep an eye out for various bird species, amphibians, and even otters. The lush vegetation consists of over 800 species, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

A Krka National Park day trip immerses you in the park’s tranquil natural beauty and truly captivates the heart. It’s a reminder of the wonders that nature holds and is definitely a highlight of any Croatian adventure.

Essential Hiking Tips

• Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out and watch for rapid weather changes. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline.
• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.
• Check our post on Day Hike Essentials for a more comprehensive list of items to bring on your day hike.

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