Zrmanja (pronounced [zř̩maɲa]) is a river in southern Lika and northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is 69 km (43 mi) long and its basin covers an area of 907 km2 (350 sq mi).[1]
It was known to the ancient Romans as Tedanius. The spring of Zrmanja is located in southern part of Lika under Postak - the southern peak of Pljesevica mountain, and close to south end of Velebit mountain. It is characteristic for its spring located on the bottom of very steep, almost 200m high funnel shape rock called Misije. It flows southward through the narrow and long arable valley which encircles the southern end of Velebit through a 200-metre-deep canyon, and then turns westwards, reaches Obrovac, and after a few kilometers flows into the Adriatic sea in the bay named Novigradsko more.
In the late 80s the Riverfree Club and Huck Finn Adventure Company pioneered commercial canoe, kayak and raft trips - one-day excursions and multi-day tours with camping. They proved that Zrmanja with its tributary Krupa is one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe. In the 90s the Velebit area is declared a nature park. Rafting trips on Zrmanja take place in spring and autumn, while kayaks and canoes are used during low water level period of July and August.
|