The trail features a 60-meter-long concrete tunnel built during the Cold War as a covert military boat shelter.
St. Nicholas Fortress, located at the end of the trail, is one of the few surviving examples of triangular-based Renaissance maritime forts.
The canal was historically known as the 'Gate of Šibenik' due to its role in controlling naval access to the city.
The entire trail is part of the broader 'Channel of St. Anthony' landscape protected area, spanning over 90 hectares.
Parts of the trail were used as filming locations for the television series Game of Thrones.
The Venetian fortifications found along the canal were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017.
St. Anthony’s Canal Hiking Trail is a 4.4-kilometer path connecting the Šibenik harbor entrance to the Tunjara cove. The trail follows a protected landscape area, offering panoramic views of the Šibenik archipelago and the Adriatic Sea. It features a unique concrete tunnel carved into the rock, originally constructed for military purposes. The path leads directly to the 16th-century St. Nicholas Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site guarding the canal entrance. The terrain is relatively flat and well-maintained, suitable for both walking and cycling. Native Mediterranean flora, including pine, holm oak, and lavender, lines the majority of the route. The trail serves as a significant ecological corridor protected within the Natura 2000 network. It offers a direct perspective on the Venetian-era defensive fortifications of the Krka river estuary.
The viewpoint overlooking the narrow canal passage with St. Nicholas Fortress in the frame.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the path transitions between paved sections and loose gravel.
Bring your own water and sun protection, as shade is inconsistent along the exposed coastal stretches.
Use the trail in the morning to avoid the strongest afternoon heat during the summer months.
Do not attempt to swim in the canal channel itself, as it is a busy maritime traffic route for commercial and tourist vessels.
Carry out all trash; motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited; dogs must be kept on a leash.
