Skradinski buk

Skradinski buk is the seventh, final, and longest travertine barrier on the Krka River. It is located approximately 13 kilometres downstream from Roški slap and a total of 49 kilometres downstream from the source. The growth of travertine barriers at Skradinski buk was caused by the unification of the waters of Krka River with the three kilometers lower current of the Čikola River at Roški slap, creating one of the most unusual and beautiful landscapes of the Krka National Park.

The combined waters of the Krka and Čikola Rivers flow over the 17 steps at Skradinski buk, distributed along the 800 metres in length. The width of the cascades is between 200 and 400 metres with a total height difference of 45.7 metres. Travertine formations in the upper portion of the river include thresholds, travertine islands, draperies and barriers, while the lower portion has caves and tufts. A walking trail has been constructed over the river. The trail takes you on a 60 minute light walk through the deep shade of lush Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean vegetation, which offers the exceptional possibility of direct contact with the unique microcosms of mystical sounds, lights, colours, the mysterious world of travertine mosses and numerous plant species of the travertine barriers and aquatic habitats. Lucky visitors will not miss the song of the nightingale, the splashing of the coot, the swimming of the Illyrian ide, fast movements of the European grass and dice snakes, the call of the green frog, the flight of the hawk and the playful ballet of emerald dragonflies and colourful butterflies.</p><p>As with the Roški slap, here you can see several restored mills, valjavica and pillars that have utilized the strength of the water´s current for centuries.

Respecting the traditional architectural values, individual mills have been renovated into souvenir shops and restaurants, while others have been renovated into exhibit spaces where ethnographic collections are on display. On the left riverbank, there are the remains of the first hydroelectric power plant in Croatia. The Krka hydroelectric power plant (later called Jaruga I) was constructed and began operations on 28 August 1895, only two days after the hydroelectric plant on the Niagara River began its operation. It was in operation until World War I when it was decommissioned for military purposes. Today´s Jaruga II hydroelectric power plant was constructed in 1904.You can reach Skradinski buk via the roads Šibenik-Tromilja-Lozovac or Knin-Drniš-Tromilja-Lozovac. The entrance at Lozovac is the main entrance to Krka National Park.