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Dinara Nature Park

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Atop the roof of Croatia

The beauty of the rugged karst landscape of Dinara, the mountain massif located in the hinterland of Dalmatia, is to be discovered in its sinkholes, karrens, fields, caves and pits. There is something in this wilderness that calls, invites exploration, instils respect and, at the same time, soothes as well as relaxes. For centuries, people and stone have intertwined their stories here, loved and respected each other, stole from each other and gave each other life. You will learn about this strong connection at Dinara Nature Park, declared as such in 2021. Within its surface area of 629.48 square kilometres, it includes the mountains Dinara, Troglav and Kamešnica as well as the source of Cetina and its upper course with Hrvatačko Polje, Paško Polje and Vrličko Polje. 
 

Dinara — the highest peak of Croatia

Dinara is a mountain east of the city of Knin and north of Peruća Lake, and along with Troglav and Kamešnica in the south-east, it comprises a mountain massif that is 84 kilometres long.

Dinara also includes the highest peak of Croatia, the 1831-metres-high peak also called Dinara, the common name of which is also Sinjal, but this is not the highest peak of the entire massif. At 1913 metres above sea level, this honour goes to Troglav, which is on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Wildlife in the heart of Dalmatia

Dinara Nature Park comprises a natural border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located within the area of two Dalmatian counties, with the majority portion in Split-Dalmatia County and the smaller portion in Šibenik-Knin County, and includes the cities and municipalities of Knin, Biskupija, Kijevo, Civljane, Vrlika, Hrvace, Sinj, Otok and Trilj.

Almost vertical rock cliffs make up the recognisable view of Dinara. This area of the specific Dinaric karst landscape is rich in biodiversity, with endemic flora and fauna such as the rock pink, the Illyrian scabious, the knapweed Centaurea tuberosa Vis. as well as the Balkan snow vole and the meadow viper.

Although there are no surface water flows in the Dinara area, the underground hides a complex network that collects water mostly into the Cetina river basin, with a smaller portion collected into the Krka river basin. At the foot of Dinara, there are numerous water springs that occasionally flood the fertile karst fields.

Dinara

In case you didn't know, the mountain area from the Slovenian Alps to the Sharr Mountains in Macedonia got its name from Dinara


The Dinarides are a typical karst landscape area with sharp karst phenomena, scarce vegetation, lack of water and a relatively harsh climate. The Dinarides are connected by Via Dinarica, a network of hiking and walking trails from Slovenia to Albania with three main trails — Green, Blue and White — that passes through Dinara.

Hiking and hiking trails on Dinara

Views that make every step worth the effort

The view from the highest peak of Dinara, also called Sinjal, extends over Peruća Lake and the mountains Troglav, Promina and Svilaja. At the very top of Croatia, you will feel fantastic. That's why every step is worth it. Seven hiking trails lead to this peak from Knin, the shortest of which is 5.7 kilometres long and is normally traversed in three hours. If you decide to brave the longest one, totalling 18.9 kilometres to the top of Dinara, it will take about six hours. 

Experienced hikers advise hiking on Dinara in spring and autumn, when it is not so hot, and the best way to conquer its peaks is to plan for a two-day trip, with spending nights at mountain lodges or cabins. The Brezovac mountain lodge is located at about 1050 metres above sea level and is the best starting point towards Dinara Peak. If you decide to conquer it, there are two more mountain lodges at your disposal — Glavaš in the village of the same name on the eastern slopes of the mountain and Martinova Košara, a shelter near the peak. 

Source of Cetina: a wondrous canyon for a beautiful karst river

Cetina springs from the heart of the karst landscape, and its turquoise source, called Glavaš or Veliko Vrilo (the Great Spring), is a world-renowned tourist attraction, a geological natural monument and the perfect spot for the most beautiful Instagram photos.

The source looks particularly beautiful from a bird's eye view. 

 

Although it just beckons one to take a swim, swimming is not allowed in the source of Cetina. Don’t feel too bad, however, as the water temperature never exceeds ten degrees Celsius. From this (still insufficiently explored) source, this beautiful 100.5-kilometres-long karst river sets off on her journey to the sea, and its wondrous canyon is protected as a significant landscape.

Above Glavaš, the Orthodox Church of the Ascension of the Lord was built in the late 1930s.

A few hundred metres away, the impressive old Croatian Church of the Holy Saviour is located, which was built in the 9th century and is one of the most important Croatian monuments of the early Middle Ages. It is a unique example of a westwork, a monumental west-facing façade. Be sure to visit it in the village of Cetina in the municipality of Civljane. 

Cycling, horseback riding, rafting, canoeing or kayaking, walking, hiking, off-roading, hunting or fishing — choose your favourite activity and enjoy this region that was given life by the river.

Where else should you visit at Dinara Nature Park?

Peruća Lake

Trout, carp and chub swim in the former streets of now-submerged villages, and fishermen sit in peace and quiet, patiently waiting for their prize catches. In the summer, swimmers look for some refreshment here, and it is also a favourite location of rowers. During severe droughts, the remains of a 14th-century monastery trapped at its bottom resurface. The nature there is divine. Mountains, rocks and water, without end in sight. Peruća Lake is one of the largest lakes in Croatia, and it was created in the late 1950s by the water from Cetina accumulating after the construction of a 56-metre-high dam. It is located near the village of Donji Bitelić, 16 kilometres north of Sinj. Not far from the lake, upon a steep rock, is the medieval fortress Prozor. If you want to tour the fortress, you can drive to the small village of Maovice near Vrlika and then continue on foot on a trail for about 25 minutes. When you climb up to the spot, you get to enjoy the impressive view of Vrlika and the surrounding villages, the source of Cetina, the peaks of Kamešnica and Peruća Lake.

Krčić river canyon

The canyon of the river Krčić, with its 22-metres-high eponymous waterfall crashing into the source of the river Krka, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Croatia. The mouth of Krčić and the source of Krka are reached via the village of Kovačić, three kilometres north-east of Knin. In the summer, the river and the waterfall dry up and the entrance to the cave from which the river Krka springs is revealed.

 

Along the river, there is a narrow unasphalted road built in 1784. Although you can traverse it by car, the most wonderful experience is to be had if you tour this area on foot. It takes about two and a half hours of walking to get from the mouth to the source.

    

What do you need to know before visiting Dinara Nature Park?

It is easily accessible from all parts of central Dalmatia, there are no official entrances and entry tickets are free of charge.

 It is best to visit Dinara Nature Park in spring and autumn. That is when the nature is the most beautiful, in all its splendour and colours, and the streams and waterfalls are at their most impressive. 

The wider area of Dinara Nature Park is the part of Croatia with the highest temperatures in the summer, so avoid strenuous activities and climbing the peaks during that period.

You should know that an encounter with a wolf, jackal, fox or snake is a possibility, so it’s best to go on a trip to Dinara as part of an organised programme, in the company of experienced hikers. Do not forget to bring plenty of water, and proper footwear is mandatory.

For more information, visit the Parks of Croatia official website.

On Dinara, there are several mountain lodges and shelters that will offer accommodation to hikers.

We recommend the apartments, holiday homes, tourist farms as well as restaurants and taverns rich in atmosphere and offering traditional dishes such as the Sinj arambašići, the Trilj frogs and eels, trout from karst rivers and a type of fried-dough pastry called uštipci.

And if you feel a hankering for the sea, it takes you a maximum of 40 minutes to get there by car.
 

Dalmatia like you've never experienced before! Come along and discover its wild side at Dinara Nature Park.

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