Things to do on the Zrmanja River

The Zrmanja is a karst river cutting a canyon through the Dinaric hinterland behind the Velebit massif, and it is a paddling destination rather than a beach stop: organised kayaking and rafting trips typically start from Kaštel Žegarski or from Obrovac, further downstream.

Part of the appeal is cinematic rather than sporting — sections of the 1960s Winnetou Western film series, shot on location here, used the canyon's cliffs and green water as their backdrop, and guides on the river still point out where. Treat a Zrmanja paddling day as the outdoor half of a Velebit hinterland circuit, paired with Paklenica National Park's canyons rather than with the coast.

Book through the sea-kayaking-SUP or outdoor-adventures listings below for current availability; this page does not carry a fixed price or duration, since operators set those, not us.