Let's travel the world!: Plitvice National Park in Croatia!

Plitvice National Park in Croatia!

Plitvice National Park in Croatia is considered to be one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Due to its natural beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949.
In 1979 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. The national park was founded in 1949 and is situated in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia, at the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The important north-south road connection, which passes through the national park area, connects the Croatian inland with the Adriatic coastal region. The protected area extends over 296.85 square km. Each year, more than 1.1 million visitors are recorded.

Watterfalls in Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes National Park Waterfalls, Croatia.

Winter in Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia!

The national park is world famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. Currently, 16 lakes can be seen from the surface. The lakes are situated on the eponymous Plitvice plateau, between the mountains of Lička Plješevica (Gornja Plješevica peak 1,640 m), Mala Kapela (Seliški Vrh peak at 1,280 m) and Medveđak (884 m). The 16 lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 m to 503 m over a distance of some 8 km, aligned in a south-north direction. The lakes collectively cover an area of about 2 km², with the water exiting from the lowest lake to form the Korana River. The lakes are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss, algae and bacteria. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The colours change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight. The lakes are divided into the 12 Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera) and the four Lower Lakes. Through different climatic influences and the large difference in elevation within the protected area, a multifaceted flora and fauna has been created. The national park area is home to many endemic species.

Lakes of Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Waterfalls of Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Some animals that exist in the Plitvice National Park.

Aerial View on Waterfalls in Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia.

You can choose from several different paths around the lakes ranging in both time and difficulty. A complete run through the park can be done on trail H in 4-5 hours (3.5 if you really hustle), but you'll want to take your time and enjoy it. The views are simply spectacular. Some trails have boat transfers and bus transfers (free of charge) to save you time walking. Make sure you hold onto your entrance ticket because they stamp it at the boat interchanges. The paths are very well maintained. They consist of wooden planks, gravel, rocks, and steps. Many of the paths are wheelchair accessible, but there are sections with steps and inclines.

Go there:
Buses between Zagreb and Zadar or Split will stop at the entrance to the National Park if you ask the driver beforehand. Keep in mind that buses in Croatia often do not run on time. They can come early or late, and either way they stop only long enough to pick up riders and then continue on their way. Especially in a place like Plitvice, which is quite a distance from a stopping point on a bus route, get to the bus stop early and plan on waiting for awhile. When you are coming from Zadar, bus driver may let you drop off at South entrance, which is apart about 4 km from main entrance. In case you reserve your hotel near Main entrance, you have to request bus driver to drop at Main entrance. If not, you need to expend taxi fare. It's not only a returned trip but also you can stop on the way at your favorite attractions such as Radstoke village, a beautiful village on the gorge 20 km from Plitvice, where you can enjoy fresh and delicious grilled fish.

Fees/Permits:
A ticket is required to enter the park (there are ticket offices on the paths as you enter the park). The tickets also entitle you to free travel on the boats which run on the lakes. The price for a non-student ticket is 110 KN for one day or 180 KN for two days. Student will pay 80 KN for one day visit. An ISIC or other valid student card is required to get a student discount.

Websites:
The Plitvice Lakes National Park
UNESCO