Plitvice Lakes National Park Overview

Though it’s a trek from either Zagreb or Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni Park Plitvička Jezera) is definitely worth the transportation hassle. Some 300 sq. km of forested hills, dappled with 16 lakes and hundreds of waterfalls, Croatia’s oldest and largest national park is one of the country’s most spectacular sights. Declared a national park in 1949, Plitvice was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 for the unique evolution of its lakes and waterfalls, which formed through the interaction of water and petrified vegetation and continue to evolve as the water moves along new paths. There are eight main trails around the lake (lettered A-K), all of varying difficulties.

Watch Your Step. The takeover of Plitvice Lakes National Park by the Serbs in 1991 marked the beginning of Croatia’s bloody war for independence. Throughout the 1991-95 conflict, the Serbs holding the area planted landmines in the ground. Both the park’s premises and surrounding area have been officially cleared of mines, and the last mine-related accident dates back to 2002. However, do not stray from the trail for any reason.

Free shuttles drive around the lakes (3 per hr.), and a boat crosses Jezero Kozjak, the largest lake (2-3 per hr., 9:30am-6:30pm). At the main entrance, local women sell delicious strudels, bread-cakes stuffed with cheese, spinach, nuts, apples, peaches, or cherries (15kn). If you want to enjoy the peace of the lakes by yourself, go in the early morning or the late afternoon and avoid the shortest trails. Most tourists circulate around the four lower lakes (Donja Jezera) to get a shot of Plitvice’s famous 78m waterfall, Veliki Slap.

Buses run to: Rijeka (3hr., 1 per day, 120kn); Split (3hr., 7 per day, 150kn); Zadar (2hr., 6 per day, 72kn); Zagreb (2hr., 9 per day, 70kn). Most bus drivers let passengers off at the park’s main entrance. Tourist offices offer maps and exchange currency for a 1.5% commission at each of the three entrances. (☎023 751 026; www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr. Open daily 7am-10pm. Park open daily July-Aug. 7am-8pm; May-June 7am-7pm; Apr.-Oct. 110kn, students 55kn; Nov.-Mar. 70kn/40kn. Tour guide 700kn, min. 4hr. for groups only. MC/V.) To get to the main info center from the bus stop, walk toward the pedestrian overpass; crossing the road can be dangerous.

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