Construction of pedestrian and bike trails, and their connection began with NGO Argonauta and partners’ project titled ”Dry-stone wall extravaganza”, financed by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes. A European Voluntary Service short-term project lasted a month, and contributed to the construction of the Colentum trails. Volunteers from five European countries (Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey, Spain and Poland) formed an access trail connecting the maritime villa, i.e. the area at the foot of the Gradina Hill, and the Liburnian dry-stone walls on the first level of the same hill.
This access trail enabled the construction of other Colentum trails. The next step included the construction of a trail on the Liburnian fortifications around the Gradina Hill (level one), as well as a sea promenade connecting Murter and Betina. The construction of this path on the Liburnian fortifications was carried out over several voluntary actions. It was finally done in autumn 2017 as a part of two projects – ”Dry-stone wall extravaganza 3” and ”GLUE – investing in youth”. This circular trail will eventually become a kind of a main road for the upcoming Colentum Archeological and Recreational Park. Furthermore, the plan is to connect the trail with other paths leading to some of the most important archeological sites, viewpoints, and beaches. Colentum’s first viewpoint was built along the Liburnian dry-stone wall, under the guidance of dry-stone wall builders Ive Šikić Bažokić, Pero Kulušić, and Dino Lovreškov, and with the assistance of volunteers who took part in ”Dry-stone wall extravaganza 2”. The information boards were put up, as well as benches made by a young shipbuilder, Nikola Skračić Čiči.
”Dry-stone wall extravaganza 2” volunteers made way through the old dry-stone wall connecting the shores of Murter and Betina. The members of Kornati Agricultural Association, the Municipality of Murter-Kornati, and Dragodid Association assisted them as well. The Municipality of Murter-Kornati and the Municipality of Tisno joined forces in expanding, clearing, and filling the trail with gravel. The trail was finished in autumn 2016. Connecting Betina and Murter with pedestrian and bike trail enabled the integration of the Colentum archeological site and the Gradina Hill, which is a significant step towards the valorization of the site.
The first archeological beach in Croatia was formed along the trail that is located behind the beach dry-stone wall in order to prevent the disturbance of swimmers. This activity is a part of the Colentum Archeological and Recreational Park project conceived by the architect Vinko Peračić, and a part of furnishing the arboretum.
Even though all the trails and paths haven’t been completed yet, those existing ones have certainly contributed to the cyclotourism and the active tourism in general within the boundaries of Šibenik-Knin County. The construction of 3,5 km long pedestrian and bike trail, and the connection of the two municipalities and towns of Murter and Betina, allowed everyone to see the entire island at once, either on foot or by bike. The application was made in collaboration between Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, Murter-Kornati Tourist Board, and the Municipality of Murter-Kornati.
