Butori Ponor Waterfall

It rises from the Jugovski stream or Aril, falls into lakes, and finally vanishes into a sinkhole, giving the area around it a fairytale feel. The Butorni Ponor waterfall is about 10 m high. Depending on which direction you are coming from, you can access it via Oprtalj or the Buje region's Maruii location on the Buje-Terna route. In Croatian Istria, there is an intriguing but little-known karst feature that consists of the waterfall and the bottomless sinkhole. It was found that the sinkhole is 500 meters long and 230 meters deep. The sinkhole's opening can be seen when there isn't any water present.

It is simple to descend the waterfall because it is enclosed by fencing, as is the trail leading to its base. Unfortunately, there is a deep lake at the base of the waterfall, so you cannot go around it, but you can pass underneath it. There is an abandoned mill a short distance upstream from the waterfall, ten meters from Jugovski Potok's left side. An idyllic setting for meditation is created by the presence of water, the forest, an old mill, and moss. During the Meeting of Forest Poets in Butori in August, local artists commemorate this reality with bonfires, lanterns, and torches. Due to Istria's dry summers, the waterfalls may also totally stop flowing. In order to avoid traveling in vain, be careful to know when it last rained.

Location: Buje