6.4.2012 The Waterfalls of Krka.
It took me some effort to persuade my family to do this half - day trip to the Krka waterfalls. They did not regret however in any way. We drive the coastal road from Biograd to Šibenik, where we follow the sings into the land to the waterfalls. At the entrance of the national park, we park the car, pay the entrance fee (80 Kuna for grown ups, 60 for the kids) and walk down the good footpath down to the Skradinski Waterfall (Skaradinski Buk). Though this one is only one of several waterfalls (or we should say waterfall systems!), but I suppose this one is the biggest an most beautiful. It contains multiple small and medium sized waterfalls inmidst an alluviual forest and a few larger, main falls on the orographic left side.
On the way down into the valley. The aterfalls are to the right.
Above the waterfalls there is a large lake.
The parking ground is much too small, so only buses are allowed to drive the people down, and return to park upside at the main parking space. Small cars are only allowed when there are a very few visitors. From her, we start our round walk, mostly leading over splendidly constructed wooden paths - a great technical effort which of course starten wir unsere Wanderung - großteils auf gut gebauten Holzstegen. Ein großer technischer Aufwand, der natürlich die Eintrittsgebühr justifies an entrance fee. Map of the path through the waterfall system
We start at the upper end of the waterfalls. The water is flowing thrugh an alluvial forest, parted into numerous branches. So, we first only see many small and tiny cascades ...
... and small ponds/lakes ...
... some bigger cascades ...
Reed and bamboo and trees with young green leaves.
View to the lake at the upper end of the falls.
Some lakes in between ...
Water falls...
... and ponds.
We now are approaching the main falls ...
A fine view from a view point to the main falls of Skradinski Buk, situated at the orographig left side of the dale. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Further through forest, once more small and medium sized waterfalls.
Sometimes only very low steps..
Pond
Falling down into the pond ...
Another pond ...
Now we are approaching ...
... the second viewpoint on the main falls.
Panoramic view on the lower part of the main waterfalls of Skradinski Buk. Click here or into the picture for a larger version..
This seems to be a waterfall that has fallen dry (now? at every time?). Karst formations and moss - drip stones!
Approaching the long bridge - the view goes to the lowest of the main falls.
We now are crossing the bridge at the lower end of the falls ...
... a reach the other, the (orographic) left side of the valley, where we reascend, always close to the falls.
View from the bridge down the valley.
Some of the steps look like arteficial, but it is a completely natural phenomenon caused by deposits of calcareous sinter, causing the formation of ponds and steps. The most famous example of this phenomenon is Pamukkale in Turkey.
Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Nearly back now ...
... this here indeed is an artificial waterfall - the buildings are mills. Here, one of the world´s oldest water power plants was constructed, opened by Nikola Tesla only one day after that one at Niagara falls.
We take a short coffee rest at a restaurant. From the garden, you get this panoramic view. Click here or into the picture for a larger version..
Sunset at the hotel balcony.
