Plitvice National Park, with 295 ㎢ forest reserves, it's a truly unspoiled paradise, surrounded by a dense forest of ancient trees that beautifully surround streams and lakes connected by spectacular waterfalls. It was declared a "UNESCO World Heritage Site" in 1979.
Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must when in Croatia.
Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park and its lakes and falls are north around 150km from Sukošan. It’s a picturesque drive through the Croatian countryside from Sukošan to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
The park is located in the heart of the Balkans, within Croatia’s lushest and wildest area.
With 295 ㎢ forest reserves, it’s a truly unspoiled paradise, surrounded by a dense forest of ancient trees that beautifully surround streams and lakes connected by spectacular waterfalls. It was declared a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” in 1979.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is now the most visited tourist destination in the country and one of the most beautiful parks in Europe.
Perfect place to reconnect with nature
It’s known for a chain of 16 crystalline turquoise terraced lakes and 90 waterfalls fed by two rivers, the White River (Bijela Rijeka) and the Black River (Crna Rijeka) and underground springs, which flow into the Korana River through a series of waterfalls, that extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails wind around and through lush forests across the water, and an electric boat links the 12 upper and 4 lower lakes. The latter are the site of Veliki Slap, a 78m-high waterfall.
The area is characterised by many well-organised paths and 17 km of wooden walkways that cross the most beautiful and colourful waterways. The park is also home to numerous caves, which are home to an infinite variety of animals.
The park is populated with boar, deer, wolves, bears, and numerous rare bird species. As a result, it’s an ideal destination for wildlife lovers, so remember your camera! Covering 300 square kilometres in total, it’s the perfect place for a day trip or longer. It’s easy to reach the park from Sukosan.
Getting around
The park can be navigated by bike, boat, electric boat and a small train, all available. The park is quite large and a complete visit requires hours of walking, so it is advisable to split your tour over a few days.
Plitvice Lakes National Park covers over 300 square kilometres. There are four hiking trails that are organised into 7 different routes to tour the park. Other than hiking, you can also get around by boat and by shuttle (also called the panoramic train).
Seven routes through the park
There are seven routes (also called programs) through the park. These are suggested routes depending on your starting point, your energy level, and how much time you have. Choosing the best route can be a little overwhelming with seven options.
Please check this site for the best suggestions. https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-visit-plitvice-lakes-travel-guide/