Plitvice lakes croatia how to get there. Plitvice Lakes, how to visit, where to stay

June 28, Monday. Day 10. Today we are planning a grandiose tour to Plitvice lakes and waterfalls which are the pearl of Croatia. 2 days ago, we left in a rented car from our hotel, which is located on the Istrian peninsula, to explore the sights of the country on our own.

Yesterday we visited an amazing national park Croatia - where you enjoyed the beauty and power of beautiful waterfalls. And it seemed to us that nothing could surprise us more than yesterday's excursion. But to visit Croatia and not visit the largest nature reserve « Plitvice"- would be a big omission.

We specially came here to study possible routes in advance: after all, the path was long: the park, indeed, is simply huge! Therefore, it was decided to start our tour early in the morning: there are still no crowds of tourists, and the sun is not so hot.

Although the last statement ... There were some difficulties with in Croatia this year. Only today - the first day in the morning the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky. Already weaned from this weather.

Yesterday we carefully studied all the proposed routes: from the simplest (2-3 hours, a walk only through the central part of the reserve) to the longest (6-8 hours, with an inspection of the maximum area of ​​the park).

There are 2 entrances to the park: Ulaz1 and Ulaz2. The routes vary slightly, but the general principle is the same.

Reading the reviews and comparing all this on the map, we decided to stop at route "H" which starts from the 2nd entrance. He liked the fact that it covers a significant territory of the park and almost all the time "goes" down (which is very pleasant for us, not athletes). That is, it turns out that the electric locomotive brings us to the highest point, and then we go down on foot along with the waterfalls.

This tour is 4-6 hours long. By the way, we did not take into account that at the very end point of the route we would have to climb the steps almost a hundred meters up. 😡 But on the other hand, what stunning views we saw at the same time ... But I will not get ahead of myself.

We also find out that parking free on Sundays near the park. Checkout start to work from 7.30, and first train leaves at 8.00. The big disadvantage was that it is prohibited in the reserve bathe.

All routes are offered one or more times to use vehicles: by an electric locomotive or an electric boat. But if you do not use these means of transportation, then you can walk in the park all day and choose any direction of travel.

We finish with the technical details. It's time to go to the amazing trip to Plitvice lakes and waterfalls!

V 7.30 said goodbye to our cozy house and went on our car to the national park " Plitvice Lakes ".

V 7.40 we drove up to the 2nd entrance (Ulaz2). However, the gate in the parking lot gave us a ticket that we arrived at 7.30. It was this difference of 10 minutes that later cost us an extra 7 kunas for parking. 🙁

We approach the cash desks. Nobody wants to work this early yet. They suggest that we go to the park and buy a ticket on the other side (near the train stop). We briskly crossed the road over the bridge, then across the park. In short, we reached the next ticket office only after half an hour!

Entrance ticket 110 HRK per person (15.5 euros). We pay with a card, as cash disappears somewhere all the time.

We focus on the terrain.

Here in front of us station(St2), on which you need to wait for the train.

Here, for the first and last time during our vacation in Croatia, we meet a group of Japanese tourists. It is very strange, but back in 2010 there were very few of them in this country.

And here is the electric locomotive. There are very few people, we climb inside. We must be taken away (according to the chosen route "H") to station 4 (St4), via St3. But the locomotive, for some reason, goes completely in the opposite direction, and in a few minutes we find ourselves near the 1st entrance (Ulaz1), at the 1st station (St1). 😮

A little confusion in the brain, which ends with the assumption that the locomotive is going in a circle. It was decided not to panic or jump out of the train. And soon he really brought us to the desired point, although he climbed the hill with great difficulty.

The tour starts ...

Plitvice Lakes- these are 16 lakes connected to each other cascading waterfalls and surrounded by dense forests.

The water is completely transparent, and its color is constantly changing to the one that is reflected in it in this moment... It can be sky blue

or green.

And we also observed many of the most incredible shades.

Near the very first lake we meet local inhabitants: a duck family.

The kid is busy with the morning toilet and does not react at all to people passing by.

How pleasant it is to walk in the morning chill along the forest and lakes. It's good that we took the blouses: all the time we walk under the dense crowns of trees.

And here are the first waterfalls... In several tiers, through the grass and trees, the water rushes down in stunning colors Lake.

Wooden walkways on which we move, are strong enough.

Sometimes they are interrupted by the usual forest paths. The walk is completely stress-free.

Very comfortable air temperature, very few people, beautiful landscapes. You can simply photograph any view and print it immediately on a postcard.

Sometimes the air is filled with birdsong, sometimes it is drowned out by the sound of falling water.

Here noise intensifies. Around the bend right next to the bridge, a huge powerful jet the waterfall scatters in all directions with splashes and crashes down with a crash somewhere below.

Come closer. From flying to us splashing we get wet quickly. Well, who said that you can't swim? We have already refreshed ourselves. 😀

We go downstairs. We turn around. We admire that very huge waterfall (it does not even fit into the camera lens). We see very little people above. We understand that we have just stood there and “swam”.

We go down lower and lower. Waterfalls do not end.

Each the lake flows into another utterly in a special way... But these are big (high) waterfalls. And how many "little things" are around. Small brooks flow from all directions. Sometimes along our path, sometimes crossing it.

Just a fabulous impression is created when everything around flows in different directions, at different speeds, and you walk among all this abundance of water.

And then, suddenly, it comes silence... This means that we are going through new things. Lake, the water of which is absolutely calm and transparent.

Fish, moss at the bottom- everything can be seen perfectly.

The reflection of foliage in the water creates unrealistic pictures. Even ordinary ducks look somehow fabulous.

We continue to marvel at the unusual color of the water. Different lakes have completely different shades. But they are closest of all, nevertheless, to green, and not to blue.

Sometimes we stop to wash and drink the purest water. It is quite warm (about +18).

We are gradually approaching the next point of our route: the pier. There are more people here. In this place, routes less long than ours already intersect.

Now we have to sail on electric boat(from pier P2 to P3) past this wonderful green island in the middle of the lake.

The pier is busy. But not only because of the people. Here the local "grazes" living creatures: fish and ducks. They react quickly to all approaching people in the hope of getting something edible. Even fish are sensitive to the human voice: they swim up to the shore and "ask" for food, looking into the eyes.

We cross the lake on an almost noiseless boat. Near the pier P3 we are happily greeted by a new batch of ducks and ... fish. We drink cocoa with strudel in local cafe... We have a little rest and again on the road.

Beauty is not diminishing: new waterfalls, new rapids, new cascades.

And some are even crowned Rainbow!

Only now it is getting crowded on the narrow paths from influx of tourists. Organized groups run after their guides in dense rows of 3 people (and this is on a wooden flooring 1 meter wide). At the same time, without slowing down, they look around with stunned eyes, and not where the same people are walking towards them. It is impossible to get around them. Several times we are almost pushed into the water.

It is already getting hotter (time for lunch), and the paths mostly run along sunny places... Very much impressions differ from a morning walk, when we were practically alone and perceived everything around as a fairy tale. And now the crowd, the hubbub of people. It is good that the waterfalls do not allow you to be distracted for a long time by all this fuss. With their noise and beauty, they constantly switch our attention to themselves.

We reach the largest waterfall... Its height is 78 meters. But this is only the top of the cascade. Below, other waterfalls are located in tiers. They are not that huge and powerful.

But all together they form a fantastic picture! It is a pity that the camera almost does not reflect the beauty and grandeur of this natural miracle at all. And the noise of a giant waterfall - and even more so.

I really want to capture this moment, well, and myself in it.

And here it is, our great begins uphill... It's hot, organisms are "poisoned" by oxygen and impressions after a long walk. This rise comes with great difficulty. Strength is given only by the stunning views that open from this height!

Having mastered the ascent up the hill, we reach the station of the steam locomotive St1. Why a steam locomotive, though? It's an electric locomotive! We take it to St2. I really want to swim! Why are there such prohibitions here?

For another half hour (again up the hill) we trudge to the parking lot. Time 13.30 ... Well, having spent the promised 6 hours, we honestly walked our entire route from start to finish.

Then, after some time had passed, the thought arose that it was necessary to take a little train again to the farthest station, where there were fewer people. And then quietly somewhere to plunge. Maybe next time we will. But this time, hot and tired, we go home. There is still waiting for us ahead long road... After all, our hotel is located on the Istrian peninsula, and it is almost 300 km away.

So, 13.40 we go to Return trip... We go to Karlovac, then we plan to taxi to the toll motorway to Rijeka, but there is already a familiar path to the hotel.

The road is narrow, it swings heavily between the hills, the speed is very low. The landscapes around, of course, are beautiful, but fatigue and internal heat are very distracting. It's hard to concentrate on the road. We decide what we need look for a body of water to take a dip.

We are just passing the town Drooling (Slunj)... Judging by the map, it flows through Korana river... We are very happy with the signs showing the waterfalls.

We turn in their direction, drive up to some next reserve. The entrance is paid, but the territory is small. The guy who meets him says that you can't swim, as the water is very cold. I object to him that any will suit us. But then Julia starts to grumble that again these waterfalls, swimming here is uncomfortable, it's time to go home. You have to listen to the voice of your conscience.

The guy explains that there is a good place for swimming a little further, behind the 2nd bridge over the river.

Let's go further. We pass the bridge. It turns out to be somehow doubled. It is not clear how this is counted: we drove one or two. We see the descent to the river, but we do not find the exit. We decide that this was the first bridge. Let's go further. There is still no second and no. After 10 kilometers, we understand that there is nothing to look for. Let's go ...

The road is going very slowly. The next body of water ( river) is near the very Karlovac... We reach it, turn off at the bridge. Local youth are resting on the shore. We explore the shores, the slopes are very bad everywhere (even in shoes). And just downstream we find another waterfall: the whole river from a meter height with a roar flows away further. It's somehow dangerous here, and besides, there are mosquitoes ... Here I am already opposed.

There is a track ahead of us, and this is a responsible business, we need a serious attitude. For a change, we wrap it up in a hypermarket. I eat ice cream, study the counters, buy a bottle of water. 15 minutes in a very cool room helps the body to completely cool down and even freeze a little. Well, now I'm ready to steer again.

16.10 – 17.00 went to the Karlovac-Rijeka highway(drove 107 km along it).

17.25. We pass tunnel Uchka.

18.15. Again returned in our hotel.

The result of the day is 302 km.

Our circular 3-day Croatia route has been successfully completed! We managed to see so many different beauties, ranging from the unexpected, continuing with delightful waterfalls in and ending with the pearl of UNESCO: the Plitvice Lakes Nature Reserve. And how many cities and villages have you visited, how many people have you met ...

But our stay in wonderful Croatia is not over yet. Tomorrow we plan to go to one more

The uniqueness of this national park has long attracted the attention of filmmakers: films about the Apache leader Winnetu from the novels of the German writer Karl May were filmed on Plitvice Lakes, for example, the film "Treasures of the Silver Lake" (1962).
In the spring of 1991, the lakes became the site of armed clashes between Serbs and Croats. Those events went down in history under the name "Plitvice Bloody Easter". During the Yugoslav War, Plitvice Lakes became the arena of battles more than once. Now the territory of the national park is completely cleared of mines and is safe.
Plitvice Lakes are visited by about 1 million tourists annually. The Croatian government carefully maintains unique nature these places: only environmentally friendly modes of transport are allowed in the park: electric trains, ferries and pleasure boats on electric traction, as well as bicycles. The question of replacing all wooden bridges on pontoon (air-filled) crossings. It is strictly forbidden to swim in the lakes of the park, as well as to have picnics, make fires, and bring dogs.
In addition to the lakes, in the national park you can walk through the pristine beech and fir forests. The following animals live on the territory of the park: brown bears, lynxes, ferrets, hedgehogs, hares, weasels, martens, foxes, badgers, wolves, otters, deer, roe deer, wild boars, etc. More than 120 bird species are also recorded in this area. The lakes are rich in fish.

Plitvice Lakes are interesting to visit at any time of the year. For example, in winter you can go skiing and admire the frozen waterfalls. The nearest airports to Plitvice Lakes are located in Zagreb, Rijeka and Zadar.

Unique in every way natural object is located in the region of North Dalmatia, in a hollow of mountains covered with virgin beech and spruce forests. Being for real heavenly place, Plitvice Lakes National Park attracts about 1.2 million tourists annually. It was visited by the Austrian imperial family: Franz I and his wife Augusta Caroline. And these mesmerizing beauties really dispose to truly royal rest.

The total area of ​​the Plitvice Lakes Park territory is about 30 hectares. 16 clear lakes with clear water of all shades of turquoise and emerald are cascaded. They are connected by picturesque waterfalls cascading down the moss-covered slopes. Caves, rapids, streams, relict trees - the beauty of these places exceeds all expectations.

The reserve is home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe. There are amazingly beautiful butterflies and orchids grow here. 77 plant species are found only in the Plitvice Lakes Park. The unique beauty of these places is due to the unique geological features.

This corner of nature is strictly protected by the state in its original form, giving an idea to all of us what the entire flora and fauna of the Earth could remain if it were not for the destructive impact of human civilization on the biosphere. The forests located here have come down to us since the times when the vegetation cover on our planet had just been formed.

Features of the geology of the park

The Plitvice Lakes Nature Reserve is located in the center of the country, administratively part of the Licko-Senj and Karlovatska County (okrug). The nearest town to the attraction is Slunj. Three-quarters of the park's territory is mountainous, namely the northwestern part of the Dinaric Highlands, which stretches for 650 km throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia up to Albania and the Julian Alps in Italy.

Mountain ranges consist of limestone rocks, through which melt and rainwater very easily passes. At the base of the mountains there is a less permeable dolomite substrate. The water, enriched with calcium of limestone deposits, finds its outlet in the form of the purest streams, turbulent streams and waterfalls.

Communities of bacteria, microorganisms, algae live in the water on mosses, lichens, stones. In the process of vital activity, they release a substance that interacts with calcium carbonate. This contributes to the formation of travertine, of which natural dams are composed. These features give a unique color to the reservoirs.

Trees and branches that fall into the water become covered with calciphiles (chalk plants). Dying off, they harden and, thus, also participate in the formation of so-called natural barriers - solid deposits. This process never stops: if a new natural dam appears in one place, then in another the limestone rapids are eroded by water. As a result of the erosion of these dams, new waterfalls are formed.

All the described processes are possible only in the presence of certain physicochemical and biological factors, therefore, great attention is paid to nature protection in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Transport works only on electric traction. The rules of conduct here strictly limit human intervention. Forbidden: making fires, catching fish, swimming in water bodies, walking dogs.

Climate and natural landscape of Plitvice Lakes

The reserve is located on the border of the coastal and continental climatic zones... Affected by the influence of the Adriatic Sea and the abundance of water bodies. These factors provide a moderately warm and humid climate. Winter is snowy here. Lakes freeze in January and February. Summers are warm, but the air temperature can differ greatly (up to 15 degrees) from the temperature on the coast, so be sure to take warm clothes with you. The water temperature in reservoirs rises to 24 degrees.

Most of the territory is mountainous. Highest point Plitvice Lakes Park - at the level of 1280 meters, the lowest one - at around 400 meters above sea level. The cascade of lakes is surrounded by green forests. Depending on the location, the reservoirs are divided into upper and lower lakes. The waters of five rivers flow into them: Korana, Crna, Biela, Plitvitsa, Rijechitsa. The largest reservoirs are: Proschanskoe, Kozyak and Golovats. They contain about 75% of the total volume of lakes. Tourists are amazed by the transparency of the water and the variety of its shades. If you look at some fallen tree, it seems to float between the bottom and the surface - an indescribable spectacle!

Scientists have proven that one of the two most large lakes- Kozjak, the length of which is more than three kilometers, 400 years ago was two separate reservoirs. But then the dam was flooded. This lake has Stephanie Island, which is 275 meters long and 60 meters wide. In 2008, it was allowed to swim in the reservoir. But the accidents that took place again forced the authorities to introduce a ban on this. The second large body of water on the territory is Proscansko jezero, which stretches for 2.5 km. It is noteworthy that many lakes are named ... by the names of drowned people. Some of the names seem funny and even ridiculous. For example, Batinovački, Galovački or Kozjački.

The total number of waterfalls, channels and streams is about 140. The most famous is big waterfall Sastavci The water in it comes from two rivers - Plitvice and Korana, and it falls from a height of 72 meters. Wooden walkways are laid along the edge of the cliff, in close proximity to it. You can admire this beautiful spectacle from observation deck on the shore.

There are about 20 caves in the Plitvice Lakes nature reserve. The most visited and beautiful are those located under the waterfalls. Popular caves among tourists are also: Shupljara (a cave without a bottom and a ceiling), Golubnyacha and Crna. Many enthusiastic and curious people are eager to go deep into the forest or spend a "romantic" night here. This is also prohibited. But on the other hand, you can freely walk on wooden bridges, breathe oxygen-rich air and admire the beauty of pristine nature.

One of the features of Plitvice Lakes is the sound effects generated by the water. She not only habitually murmurs, splashes and drips, but, falling from waterfalls, literally rumbles. Moreover, it falls with such force and in such quantity that fog is formed in the air. But not the one to which we are accustomed in the morning, but consisting of the smallest droplets. It is also beautiful here in winter: the reserved place turns into a real kingdom of the Snow Queen.

Flora and fauna

It is surprising that in our time of active environmental pollution, there are still such corners of virgin nature as Plitvice Lakes. The secret lies in the intensified measures taken by the government of the Republic of Croatia to protect it from the "onset of civilization", the strict rules of conduct in the reserve. Part of the territory of Plitvice Lakes is inaccessible to tourists. In addition, the national park is located at a distance from the resort and major cities... The main principle that its employees adhere to is non-interference. Nature recovers on its own with minimal human effort. This is how the ecological balance is maintained.

The Plitvice Lakes Reserve has the most favorable conditions for the comfortable existence of the richest flora and fauna. There are wonderful beech and coniferous forests in the park. Hornbeam, sycamore, maple, and spruce also grow here. The most famous untouched forest is Chorkova Uvala. There are centuries-old trees with a height of 50 meters and up to one and a half meters in girth. On the territory of the reserve there are about 1260 plant species from 112 families. 22 species are protected by the country's legislation on nature protection.

The most beautiful orchid in Europe, the Lady's Slipper or the Real Slipper, grows in this park. In total, there are more than 50 species of orchids in the reserve. Rare types of buttercups grow in meadows and slopes. There are also predatory plants: round-leaved sundew and pemphigus. In forests big variety mushrooms. Perhaps the most close attention is paid to the protection of algae, lichens, the simplest microorganisms that are involved in the process of calcification - the formation of solid deposits.

There are about 12 amphibian species in the reserve. In the lakes and rivers of the Plitvice Lakes Park, there are two species of crabs, crayfish. The bodies of water are literally teeming with fish! Trout, roach and chub swim up to tourists, as if to old acquaintances, without fear. They seem to compete with ducks, who will be the first to grab the bread slices that visitors are treated to. In the forests there are about fifty species of mammals: shrew, vole, hedgehog, marten. Otters can be seen in the lakes and on the shore. Among the large animals in the park are deer, wolves, roe deer, wild boars, lynxes. And, of course, the most famous inhabitant of the Plitvice Lakes Nature Reserve, its symbol is the brown bear.

Scientists count about 321 species of Lepidoptera, while emphasizing that half have not yet been studied. That is, there are many more of them in the park. Ornithologists have identified about 125 species of birds, more than 70 of them constantly nest on the territory of the reserve.

Representatives the scientific world regularly hold seminars and meetings to research the behavior of local owls. Also, there are research activities to study bats living in the national park. 21 species of these animals live in various places: under the bark of trees, caves, hollows. The Plitvice Lakes Park even hosts an event within the framework of the annual so-called European Night of the Chiroptera. Its purpose is to draw the attention of the population of the Old Continent to the endangered populations of this only order of placental mammals, whose representatives are capable of active flight.

Plitvice National Park National park) in Croatia is considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Europe. Because of its natural beauty and importance, in 1949 this system of 16 interconnected lakes and the large forest complex around it were designated as a national park. In 1979, the park was included in the list World heritage UNESCO.

general information

Landscape

The lakes are located on the Plitvice Plateau of the same name, between the mountains Lička Plješevica (peak 1,640 m - Gornja Plješevica), Malaya Kapella (peak 1,280 m - Seliški Vrh) and Medveđak (884 m). Sixteen lakes are divided into two groups: upper and lower, formed by streams of water flowing down from the mountains from a height of 636 to 503 meters, having covered a distance of about 8 kilometers, are oriented from south to north. Together, the lakes cover an area of ​​about two square kilometers, with the lowest lake giving rise to the Korana River.

Plitvice Lakes lie in a basin of karst rock, which is mainly composed of dolomite and limestone, which gives the lakes their distinctive feature. The lakes are separated by natural travertine dams, which are precipitated by moss, algae and bacteria. Inlaid plants and bacteria accumulate on top of each other, forming travertine barriers that grow at a rate of about 1 cm per year.

The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors ranging from azure to green, gray or blue. The colors change constantly, depending on the amount of minerals or organisms in the water and on the angle of the sun's rays.

The lakes are divided into 12 upper lakes (Gornja jezera) and four lower lakes.

Flora and fauna

National park Plitvice Lakes are rich in dense forests, mainly beech, spruce and fir, as well as a mixture of alpine and Mediterranean vegetation. The park has a particularly wide variety of plant communities due to its different microclimate, different soils and different levels of elevation.

Also, this territory is inhabited by many species of animals and birds. Here you can find both rare species of animals: brown bear, wolf, eagle, owl, lynx, wild cat, wood grouse, as well as more common species. At least 126 bird species have been recorded, 70 of which have been recorded as bred at the site.

How to get there

If you ask for a driver in advance, buses - - will stop at the entrance to the National Park (cost from Zadar - 83 kunas, from Zagreb 92 - kunas). Be aware that buses in Croatia often run off schedule. They may arrive sooner or later and they may stand long enough to pick up tourists and then continue on their way. Especially in a place like Plitvice Lakes, where, judging by the route, there is a fairly long distance to the stop, go to the stop in advance and plan to wait for a while.

When driving from Zadar, the bus driver may stop at South entrance, which is about 4 km from the main entrance and is very small. In case you book a hotel room next to the main entrance, you must ask the driver to stop at the main entrance to the park. If you don't ask, you will have to call a taxi.

Private bus companies such as Pruevoz Knezevic can make day trips from Zadar, although it is always advisable to wait at the bus stop until the appointed time to make sure the driver does not leave you. Tickets for these buses can be booked in advance from the main bus station.

From Zagreb and Zadar, private taxis cost approximately 170 euros.

From Zagreb, a day trip to Plitvice Lakes can be arranged with travel agency cities . A 4-seater car picks you up from the hotel and brings you back at a time that suits you. The cost is 750 kuna (100 euros). Not only is it a round trip, you can also stop by your favorite attractions like Radstoke Village - beautiful village in a gorge 20 km from Plitvice Lakes, where you can enjoy fresh and delicious fish.

By plane

Prompt:

Plitvice Lakes National Park - the time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Prompt:

Plitvice Lakes National Park - monthly weather

What are the prices for rest

A ticket is required to enter the park (there are ticket offices on the way to the park entrance). Tickets also entitle you to free boat travel on the lakes. Caution: the journey is long during the season!

The ticket price for non-students is 110 kuna for one day or 180 for two days in the off-season. In the season - 180 kuna per day. Students - 80 kuna per day. The discount requires an ISIC or other student ID. For more information on prices at different times of the year and parking, see the price list.

Currency exchange

Uses Croatian Kuna. There are official currency exchange offices at both entrances to the park. They work from 7.00 to 19.00. They provide extremely competitive rates with minimal commissions (1.5%). It is recommended to contact them. Most foreign currencies are accepted: dollar, euro, pounds sterling, hong kong dollar, Swiss franc, australian dollar, etc. Most tourist points accept euros anyway.

Major attractions. What to see

Plitvice Lakes National Park is perhaps the most beautiful natural wonder in Croatia. In addition to the numerous waterfalls, wildlife can be seen, including fish, frogs and various bird species. Special attractions in the national park include the 100-foot-high Veliki Slap Falls, surrounded by nearby boulders that tourists can step on. There is also a large complex of waterfalls, which can be reached through a cave in the rock.

What to see in the vicinity

Buses from the park travel to, but infrequently out of season. Check the timetable before heading out on the 5-hour trek to the park, or you'll have to spend the night there. The bus schedule is available at the entrance to the park or in hotels near bus stop.

Taxi drivers wait outside the bus station and will offer to travel at the same price as on the bus if about 10 people want to take a taxi. The cost is the same, the travel time is less and most of them will not charge extra for luggage (buses do charge extra). If you are going to the ferry terminal, ask the driver to stop there.

There are buses that travel from Grabowak (near Plitvice National Park) to Bihak, Bosnia. From July 21, 2013, the bus departs from Hrabovak at 13.25 every day (except Sunday, departure at 12.25) and arrives in Bihak in about 45 minutes, including the border crossing. Be careful: signs posted in Plitvice National Park do not take into account a different departure time on Sunday. On Sundays, there is also a bus that departs from Hrabovak at about 4:15 pm.

Food. What to try

In addition to eateries at the entrance and exit of the park, there is a large picnic area with various food stalls that can be reached by ferry across the main lake.

Security. What to watch out for

The trails are well paved and well signposted. Please follow the rules during your stay, for example, do not disturb the environment or go out of your way.

It is worth noting that this area is one of the few in Europe where bears still roam. You will probably find meeting a bear interesting, but you can scare the mother and her cub, and this can be dangerous. The lone bear is more scared than you are. Avoid anything that can create a loud sound and the bear will almost always run away. Bears can run and climb much faster than you. Running is a signal to them that you are prey, so don't run.

Things to do

The main occupation is undoubtedly hiking and walks through the park. Please note that swimming is prohibited anywhere in the park.

Advice. If you arrive at the same time as large group, on the way back, follow one of the well-paved routes. You will probably be walking uphill most of the time, but most likely you will not meet a soul for a few hours.

But during peak season, expect a huge crowd on the narrow trail, regardless of the direction of the path. There are some off the beaten track trails, but you need to have plenty of time left if you plan to use them. Otherwise, you just have to arrive early and bypass the long paths, where there are usually a lot of people.

Shopping and shops

There are souvenir shops at the main entrance to the park.

How to get around the territory?

You can choose from several paths around the lake, which vary in time and difficulty. A full inspection of the park can be done on trail H in 4-5 hours (3.5 hours if you walk energetically), but you don't want to rush, you will enjoy the walk. The view is simply breathtaking. Some routes have speedboat and bus transfers (free) to save you time.

Hold entrance ticket in the hands, because when boarding the boat they put a seal.

The paths are well laid. They consist of wooden planks, gravel, stones and steps.

People with disabilities can also use most of the trails, but there are difficult places with steps and slopes.