A Croatian waterfall: the dried-up Sopot falls in Istria as a film set

In high summer the lovely Sopot falls in Croatia have dried up completely. Which is exactly what makes this hidden spot look like a film set. A fine sight as an ‘in-between’ on a road trip through Istria.

The Sopot falls need some managing of expectations

Opinions about the Sopot falls differ widely online. But they are often tied to visitors' expectations. It takes some adjusting if you expected something else.

“No water to be seen”, writes one hugely disappointed tourist. Another Local Guide , by contrast, sounds full of wonder. “A unique piece of nature, a unique sight.” What was our own experience?

Promotional pictures and promotional talk point to a spectacular waterfall, as do the few signs along the road. Awkward in the summer high season: you are warmed up with the image of a falling cascade, and on site that is a considerable disappointment. The whole thing is dry.

Even so, with some managing of expectations there is plenty to enjoy. The honest picture is certainly worth seeing.

The Sopot falls in summer: a glorious natural landscape

All right, in summer we usually see no water. What do we see? An old-looking little bridge in a setting full of nature. Below it a path that drops roughly into the chasm. In other seasons this is the riverbed.

The edges of this chasm are untouched, unpolished and unprotected. As though half a crater had been struck here and nobody had come since. Quite an epic sight, really.

Its remoteness feeds that cinematic quality. So the Sopot falls turn out to be an isolated beauty. A true hidden gem .

How to get there from Pazin 

We once drove past here towards Rabac and Labin via Pazin. At the time we were on a spontaneous road trip from Camping Lanterna. After Pazin we took in the Sopot falls along the way.

• On the map this handsome area lies above the main road D64, a winding Državna Cesta (a state road).
• Drive past Donji Kralji and Svici (Švići) and find a parking spot at Floricici (Floričići).
• Walk the last stretch. We say ‘walk’ deliberately.

Navigation apps send you, car and all, to an end point right beside the ‘waterfall’. Unless you have a monster truck, that is not a good plan.

• Coming more from the north with the destination ‘below’ you on the map? Then you may be better off cutting through from the B8 (a Brza Cesta, a dual carriageway).

A great view

Either way, access is far from ideal. The great view on arrival makes up for the ‘groundwork’: admire the dried-up Sopot falls as a film set.