Amongst the forested hills of Croatia’s hinterland lies this breathtaking collection of sixteen lakes, connected by almost 20km of paths and bridges that take you through the forests, across the lakes and near the waterfalls.
Over the course of thousands of years, the water running down the limestone hills created natural dams, through a process called karstification. This slowly reshaped the landscape, creating beautiful lakes, rapids and waterfalls, a process which continues to this day.
The forests and the lakes of this UNESCO World Heritage site are home to a variety animal species, from wolves and bears to many types of rare birds and fish. Visitors do not have to worry though, as the potentially dangerous animals stay far away from the areas of the park that are open to the public. After all, they are more afraid of us than we are of them.
If you are planning to visit the park, you may want to have a look at the various trails that you can choose from. Each trail will lead you through a different area of the park and, depending on the amount of time you have available, you can choose a trail that is right for you. You don’t necessarily have to follow a trail. You can plan your own route through the park and, as long as you follow the existing paths, you will not have to worry about getting lost at all.
Park entrances and opening hours
The park has two main entrances, entrance number one (Rastovača) and two (Hladovina) and both entrances offer a large parking place where you can park your car for 7 Kuna per hour. Plitvice Lakes is open daily from 8am throughout the year. The closing time depends on the season; in the winter the park usually closes at 4pm and in the summer at 8pm.