Do you remember the old Karl May films in which Winnetou and Old Shatterhand swore eternal friendship against the magical backdrop of a lake landscape dotted with waterfalls? You’re unlikely to see any cowboys or Indians in Plitvice Lakes National Park – but you will find the stunningly beautiful landscape here. The extensive lake landscape lies in the middle of the Dinaric Mountains near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The park is connected via the D1 national road, which connects Zagreb and Split. The natural wonder, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is around 55 km as the crow flies from the coast.
Even those who decide to go on a beach holiday in Croatia can reach the park relatively quickly at any time. Those who arrive by car can also use the A1 motorway and exit at Karlovac, Otocac or Gornja Ploca. Vehicles can be parked in the Hladovina and Rastovaca car parks for the duration of the park visit. Please note that in addition to the relatively high park entrance fee of up to 280 HRK (for adults in high season), a parking fee of 7 HRK per hour or 70 HRK per day (with the exception of motorcycles, as of 2014) must be paid. The entrance fee already includes the fee for a ride on the panoramic train and the electric boat. Only those who want to experience a half-day or full-day tour must expect additional costs.
Nature and Culture in Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes are a world of their own in many ways. Their exceptional location in the mountains of central Croatia is responsible for the rather moderate mountain climate on the one hand, but also for some spectacular geological and biological phenomena on the other. Deep canyons cut crystal-clear lakes into the bizarre mountain world, dense forests offer protection and habitat to rare animals and plants, and above- and underground watercourses guarantee the abundance of water in this magical world. Thanks to the great difference in altitude – around 912 meters – the national park has a great diversity of species. It is home to brown bears and wolves, lynx and polecats, eagle owls, golden eagles and a whole range of other rare, partly endemic animal species. Many plant species are also endemic, such as the amethyst squill, which gives sunny meadows and rocky mountain pastures an intense blue splash of color in May. Numerous orchid species can be found in the primeval forest area, but also in the lighter forests, on meadows and by bodies of water. Almost all year round, the Plitvice Lakes National Park enchants visitors thanks to its diverse flora with ever-changing shapes and colors.
The special sights are not primarily the untouched forests, but the numerous lakes that flow into one another via waterfalls, some of which are spectacular. Travertine steps dam up the pools of water, which shimmer magically in different shades of blue, turquoise and green. Small and large waterfalls envelop the area in a fine mist that is particularly refreshing on hot summer days. A basic distinction is made between the upper and lower lakes.
While the lower lakes such as Milanovac and Gavanovac are embedded in a deep limestone canyon and have a particularly large number of waterfalls such as the “Milka Trnina Waterfalls” or “Veliki slap”, the upper lakes such as Ciginovac and Batinovac are separated by rather wide travertine barriers. Incidentally, the park is open all year round and is a constantly changing natural wonder all year round. Autumn and winter are particularly spectacular, when the lakes and waterfalls are framed by intensely colored foliage or icy sculptures. In the warm months, the colorful traditional costumes of the Lika provide colorful accents in the blue-green of this water world. With a little luck, visitors have the opportunity to see a traditional round dance (kolo). One should not miss the region’s nationally known delicacies, including Slivovitz, polenta, paprika sausage, suckling pig or roast lamb – best after a long, strenuous day of hiking in the lake district.
Leisure activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes are pure nature, best explored on foot. There are eight different routes to choose from with varying levels of difficulty, for which you should plan between two and eight hours. Routes A, B, C and K start at the north entrance, E, F and H at the south entrance and the second route K at the east entrance. Even the smallest route A leads past the most important sights, including the Veliki slap, the Supljara cave and the viewpoint on the east and west side of the canyon with fantastic views over the lower lakes.
In addition to the designated routes, there are also so-called recreational trails that invite you to marvel, discover and enjoy. Some of these trails lead through the species-rich, dense forests up into the mountains – with a bit of luck you might even come across bears or wolves. There are challenging and varied routes up to 21 km long for beginners and hiking professionals alike. Incidentally, the trails can also be used by cyclists. However, it is forbidden to jump into the cool water or go fishing – the strictly protected nature should be exposed to as little human influence as possible. Whichever route you choose, it should be well planned in any case, as camping is also not permitted in the national park. Overnight guests have the option of staying in one of the local hotels, in a guest house, private accommodation or on a nearby campsite.
