Location: Dalmatia Map
Length: 105 km
Basin: 1,463 km2
Cetina Valley Nature Park is situated in the southern Croatia.
It protects biosphere around the Cetina river and Cetina Valley
at a total length of 101 km (63 miles). With its beautiful views
and challenging rapids Cetina Valley Nature Park is popular for
its rafting and kayaking.
Presence of first humans in
the area of Cetina Valley Nature Park date back to the Early
Bronze Age. Human remains were buried in the mounds that are
still visible on the bank of the river, especially in the lower
part of its flow around Cetina, Vrlika and Bajagic. Their
distinct shape make its hard to confuse with surrounding cliffs.
There are not that many opportunities for hiking in the
valley. It is due to lack of suitable hiking paths as well as
minefields that the local residents claim to litter the ground
since World War II and recent Yugoslavian Civil War. It is hard
to prove or disprove the validity of these statements, but you
would not want to risk your life to achieve that.
Cetina Valley Nature Park is obviously most famous for its rafting. Cetina river is a combination of scary cascades and areas of quiet flow. Most of tourists began their journey from a town of Omis. Rafting is usually held between April and October and might take up to 3 hours for a total trip. Lush forests around Cetina river make it virtually impossible to get on dry land so once you begin your trip there is no turning back. Eventually you will make your way to the artificial lake of Peruca.