Route: Prniba

The southeastern part of the settlement of Krk is situated near the tree-clad peninsula of Prniba, which is hailed as a true hiking haven. This easy 8.3 km long trail, which is suitable for recreationists of all ages, including families with children, offers several alternative routes. Hiking is additionally facilitated by the cool shade of the pine trees as well as inspiring views outlined by the islands of Cres and Plavnik on one side and Puntarska Draga and the islet of Košljun on the other.

The southeastern part of the settlement of Krk is situated near the tree-clad peninsula of Prniba, which is hailed as a true hiking haven for numerous reasons. This is evidenced by the fact that recreationists of all ages, including families with children, can walk 8.3 km around this green oasis as well as the trail layout with a number of alternative routes for a more or less challenging tour of the peninsula, depending on one’s abilities. Prniba boasts distinct flora, specifically the dense (non-native!) Aleppo pine forest, which makes hiking pleasant even in the summer. It also offers access to the sea with small, isolated beaches and secluded rocks. In addition to all the boons of nature, such as inspiring vistas, outlined by the islands of Cres and Plavnik on one side and by the Puntarska Draga bay and the islet of Košljun on the other, many surprises await all outdoor enthusiasts interested in natural, cultural and historical heritage. Particularly, the Chapel of St Lucy, which was first mentioned in 1424 and is the starting point of the hike, then the stone remains of the Church of St Vitus in what is practically the easternmost part of the peninsula, which is hidden from plain sight by a thick pine forest, as well as the adjacent pond or the Pier of St Nicholas, which used to be a busy port of Krk with traffic flowing between Punat, Košljun and Krk. Exactly from that point, the view extends 190 m towards the islet of Košljun, where a lush holly oak and manna ash forest is home to a Franciscan monastery. The construction of the local Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was completed on the site of the older Benedictine Abbey of St Mary in the first half of the 16th century. The monastery complex is home to vast ethnographic, archaeological and religious collections and a library of more than 30,000 books. Prniba was first attested in the Statute of Krk in the 13th century with the aim of settling certain details pertaining to the lease of municipal pastures. In the 19th century, the pastures were replaced by vineyards and olive and fig groves, while pine trees were planted on abandoned agricultural areas during the second half of the 20th century, ultimately creating the environment we know today.

Highlights:

– Chapel of St Lucy (near Narodnog Preporoda Street)

– remains of the Church of St Vitus

– pond (near the Church of St Vitus)

– Pier of St Nicholas with a view of the islet of Košljun