Things to do in Zadvarje

Zadvarje is a village of a few hundred people above a gorge, and it is on this list for one reason. The Cetina river cuts a canyon below it. That canyon is where the canyoning happens.

The river and the drop

The Cetina runs about a hundred kilometres from the karst inland to the sea at Omiš. Below Zadvarje it falls through a narrow limestone cut. The Gubavica waterfall drops close to fifty metres a short walk from the village.

What is sold here

Two versions of the same descent, and the difference is not scenery but commitment.

• Basic canyoning. Around three hours, wading, short swims and small jumps. No experience needed.
• Extreme canyoning. Five hours or so, with abseils, longer jumps and a genuine fitness requirement.

The village itself

Zadvarje is walkable in ten minutes. A viewpoint over the gorge, a church, two places to eat. Nobody stays here — the village is the trailhead.

Practical

• Season. April to October. Water level decides everything, and after heavy rain trips are cancelled outright.
• Water temperature. The Cetina is spring-fed and cold all summer. Wetsuits are provided and you will want one.
• Kit. Helmet, harness and suit come with the trip. Bring shoes you can soak and a change of clothes.
• Getting there. Forty minutes from Split, half an hour from Omiš. Most operators collect from the coast.
• Not for everyone. The extreme route involves abseiling into moving water. Say honestly what you have done before.
• Age and weight. Most operators set a lower limit around twelve years and a upper weight limit for the harness. Check before booking for a group.
• Nothing dry survives. Phones go in the operator's dry bag or stay in the van. There is no halfway on this trip.