Zrmanja

Zrmanja is a river in Croatia, located in the Dalmatia region. It rises in the southern slopes of the Velebit mountain range, runs through karst limestone terrain in the Lika-Senj and Zadar counties, and flows into the Adriatic Sea near the town of Obrovac. The river is best known for the Zrmanja Canyon, a deep and scenic gorge carved through limestone cliffs that forms a major natural landmark in the region.

The canyon and its surroundings are a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including rafting, kayaking, canyoning, hiking, and photography. The river’s course features a variety of rapids and calmer stretches, making it accessible for a range of skill levels. Access points and nearby infrastructure support tourism while allowing visitors to experience the landscape, wildlife, and plant communities characteristic of the karst environment.

Hydrology in the Zrmanja basin is seasonal: higher flows occur in the spring from snowmelt and rainfall, while summer can bring lower water levels. The river supports a diversity of riparian habitats and species adapted to the karst landscape, and parts of the valley are managed as protected or scenic areas to balance ecological value with recreational use.

Human settlement along the lower Zrmanja includes Obrovac near the mouth, where the river interacts with local communities and economies. The Zrmanja contributes to regional irrigation and tourism, underscoring its role as both a natural and cultural feature of coastal inland Croatia.