Općina Zadvarje – Cetina Canyon, waterfalls and cycling routes

Općina Zadvarje combines the landscape of Cetina Canyon with specific cycling routes and a long-standing market history. If you are looking for a hotel, you can consider whether waterfalls and activities, a particular cycling route, or local market and cultural heritage are especially important for your stay. The cycling routes also differ in whether they lead to Zadvarje or pass near the town.

Cetina Canyon, waterfalls and Vruja Bay

In the section of Cetina Canyon near Zadvarje is the Velika Gubavica waterfall, which is 49 metres high. Cetina Canyon near Zadvarje is designated a geomorphological natural monument. Biokovo Nature Park extends across seven municipalities, including Zadvarje, and two towns. Part of the municipality of Zadvarje lies at the historically significant Dubci Pass in Biokovo Nature Park.

The municipality's approximately four-kilometre-long coastal section lies in Vruja Bay, which is protected as a hydrological natural monument. Steep coastal cliffs rise there. Freshwater springs emerge in the sea, creating habitats for underwater cliff communities. The Velika Gubavica and Mala Gubavica waterfalls are 49 and 7 metres high, respectively. Visitors can swim beneath them, making the natural setting a specific activity as well.

Cycling routes with different connections to the town

The 89.1-kilometre cycling route “For sky fliers” leads to Zadvarje. At kilometre 38, a 3.4-kilometre climb to the town begins. By contrast, the 68.3-kilometre “Cetina blues-rock” route passes near Zadvarje. Its descent near Zadvarje takes you over four hairpin bends to Pavić Bridge over the Cetina.

This distinction is useful when choosing a route: “For sky fliers” names Zadvarje as its destination and describes a specific climb. “Cetina blues-rock” focuses instead on the route passing nearby and the descent to the bridge. The distances, climb and hairpin bends can thus be considered separately, without treating the two routes as the same.

Canyoning and rafting on the Cetina

A guided canyoning tour starts at the edge of Cetina Canyon in Zadvarje. A provider based in Zadvarje also offers rafting trips on the Cetina covering 11 kilometres and lasting about three hours. The approximate duration helps with planning your time; if you want to book a tour in advance, check dates and current availability directly with the provider.

This offers several options around the river: a guided tour that starts in Zadvarje and a rafting trip with a stated distance and approximate duration. Together with the waterfalls, these activities can help you decide which aspects of the Cetina matter for your travel plans.

Pazar tradition and local history

The Pazar livestock and goods market in Zadvarje has been held for more than 300 years and is traditionally associated with Tuesdays. The Pazar tradition includes markets on the feast days of Saint Ante on 12 and 13 June and Saint Bartul on 23 and 24 August. If you want to plan your visit around one of these dates, check the current event date in advance. Zadvarje's covered market is designated for the sale of food.

The parish church of St. Ante also offers a specific connection to local history: it was built in the second half of the 18th century on the site of an earlier church. Members of KUD “Duare” organise the klapa singing showcase “Zadvarju, gradu na kamenu”. Market tradition, church architecture and klapa singing thus complement the area's natural and route features with cultural aspects of the town.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zadvarje, Gradac, Općina Tučepi, Općina Šestanovac, Općina Lećevica, Općina Lokvičići, Općina Muć, Općina Podgora.

Go to the main travel overview: Split-Dalmatia.