Route: Milohnići – Dolinji Drmun Puški/Čavlena Bay – Poljica

A unique blend of education and recreation is embedded into the 6.2 km long Path of Ponds educational trail, which mostly passes through woodland, although the starting and end points are delineated by two Šotovento settlements: Milohnići and Poljica. The route itself follows karst ponds and is marked with information boards that list numerous interesting facts and distinctive features that pertain to the sites.

– A unique blend of education and recreation, embedded into the Path of Ponds educational trail, which was devised, developed and opened in 2016 as part of the Preservation and Promotion of the Water Biotopes – Ponds and Marsh Springs project, which is known under the acronym Lokna. This easy, 6.2 km long trail, mostly passes through woodland, although the starting and end points are delineated by two Šotovento settlements: Milohnići and Poljica. The entire length of the trails is marked with information boards that list numerous interesting facts about Karst ponds, 300 of which can be found on Krk Island, while 60 are located in the area of the city of Krk. The ponds are formed by water pooling on impermeable land due to hydrological, climate and geological factors, although the majority are mostly formed by human activity. They are especially important for watering cattle, irrigating fields or as a source of drinking water. These little oases are preserved because they have become valuable habitats of many plant and animal species. When leaving Milohnići, the hikers can visit the first (unnamed) pond in the centre of the settlement between houses by the local road. The route then runs northeast through the green zone to a new site of the currently drained Fintura pond, whose surface is barely visible due to the remains of a dry wall fence. The forest trail then leads to the two most important ponds in terms of the landscape – Ormatina Major and Minor, whose water-level decreases slightly during the year, but never drains. It continues further through Dolinji Drmun Puški, where there are three ponds located at the foot of the old oaks, two of which are adjacent to the largest and oldest oak tree. This amazing 400-year-old tree stands out with a height of 20 metres, a crown diameter of 30 metres and a trunk circumference exceeding 5 metres. Winding through the forest, the route ultimately connects with the White Road that leads the hikers to the village of Poljica, which is home to another three ponds: Menkova and Živa Lokva 1 and 2. Živa Lokva 2 is particularly stunning and fascinating and has been an exclusive source of drinking water for people until the mid-20th century. After being cleaned and valorised as part of the Lokna project, (a total of 21) stone steps that lead down to the water surface have been revealed, forming a harmonious whole together with the circular dry stone wall.

Highlights:

– (unnamed) pond in the centre of the village of Milohnići

– drained Fintura pond

– Ormatine Major and Minor ponds

– three (unnamed) ponds in Dolinji Drmun Puški

– Menkova and Živa Lokva 1 & 2 ponds surrounding the village of Poljica