Kocje

Kočje nature park (pronounced “ko-chye”) covers the area of about 10 acres that includes unusual large rock formations. This protected area is home to a narrow canyon with some unexpected features such as dolomitic rocks, cave, moss and small spring.

Situated in the vicinity of the village of Žrnovo, Kočje is within easy walking distance from the village as well as from Korcula Old Town.

This unusual landscape feels magical with large rocks covered by green moss and ivy.

There is a local legend which says the area was inhabited even in prehistoric times.

There is also a cave in the rocks in Kocje. The cave is large enough to walk into it, but you would need to have your headlamp to see it properly as it is pretty dark inside.

Inside the cave, you can see bats sleeping

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Getting here

You can walk from Korcula town to here. The walk is about 5 kilometers, with some pretty steep parts. You will enjoy the greats views over the sea (see below photo). From Zrnovo, it will take you about 30 minutes to reach the area, follow the signs. Well worth the walk!

Map

Location GPS: 42.95287, 17.09181

Popular Routes: Split to Korcula, Korcula to Split, Dubrovnik to Korcula, Korcula to Dubrovnik

A natural phenomenon on Korcula for lovers of untouched nature. The Reserve is home to oak or conifer with monumental treetops that retain moisture in the area, as well as numerous lichens and moss.

The special forest vegetation reserve Kočje covers an area of ​​4.62 hectares near the village of Žrnovo on the north side of the eastern part of the island of Korčula.

Here you will find interesting creations, vaulted aisles, obstacles and aisles of dolomitic rocks between which rich vegetation grows.

The Reserve is home to oak or conifer with monumental treetops that retain moisture in the area, as well as numerous lichens and moss.

Due to the high humidity, here is an ideal habitat for ferns such as roundworm, round spleen and goldenrod.

You can also find laurel shrubs, stinkers, greens, myrtles, plums and other typical representatives of coastal macchia, as well as aromatic Mediterranean herbs such as sage, rosemary, immortelle, coastal wormwood and asparagus. Although you are not allowed to forage any herbs in the Kocje, you are allowed to pick up some outside the designated area. See how to pick and dry wild sage here.

From the dolomitic rocks in two places emerges a spring that does not dry even for the largest droughts, which, because of its clarity and purity, was called the Fairy Spring.

This hidden part of Korcula that has been protected since 1962.