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Plitvice Lakes from Above

Plitvice Lakes Destination Guide

May 27, 2016 By Jan Robinson 18 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


It seems far too long since we stood on the timber boardwalks at Plitvice Lakes Croatia, mouths agape and cameras clicking. Where we live it doesn’t rain often (unless it pours) so it isn’t surprising that Plitvice Lakes with it’s lashings of water and verdant foliage blew our minds.

 

Plitvice Lakes Croatia Questions Answered
Plitvice Lakes for Pinterest

Plitvice Lakes Start of H Trail

Plitvice Lakes Early Start means less people

Have you ever been to a place that sets the bar impossibly high?

Plitvice Lakes Walkways and Water

Plitvice Walkway Panorama

Plitvice Lakes National Park is that place.

Plitvice Lakes multi falls

A National Park since the 1949 and it was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 1979.

Plitvice Green and Rushing Water

 

Plitvice Lakes Overview

What You Will Find in This Post

Plitvice Waterfalls

Plitvice Lakes Multi Falls

Watch the video here.

My inner voice niggles…

How best to portray all that amazing rushing, spurting, dripping and spraying water?

The very real vivid green of the forest, the unafraid fish and the sound of joyful frogs?

Plitvice Lakes Frog

Plitvice Lakes Fish

Plitvice Fish

Why Plitvice Lakes are special.

The lakes, around 16 of them at the moment, are separated by travertine rock waterfalls.  Made of moss, algae and bacteria, the porous nature of travertine is what makes the whole magical water show happen.

It is not unusual for a Plitvice boardwalk to have reflective pools to one side, a wall of multiple waterfalls on the other, a white effervescent stream beneath and crystal clear water tumbling in between. The lack of rails and the floating effect of the boardwalks (they sometimes sink beneath water level) impart a feeling of walking on water.

The sound of rushing water is constant, until a gravel track leads beneath a canopy of lime green leaves and the stillness takes over.

At times everything, even the water, is green – multiple shades of green – layer upon layer.

Plitvice Lakes Multiple waterfalls

I did mention the lakes in the round up of our Ten Weeks in Europe 2015. Here is what I managed to say back then.

Allocate six hours to walk the myriad pathways, luxuriate in the cool blues and greens, the splash of gushing waterfalls, the chorus of happy frogs, the lazy schools of fish and if you have planned well and arrived very early, possibly a moment to enjoy the solitude.

Breeding ground for happy frogs.

Plitvice Lakes Frog Territory

Questions answered!

We had questions about visiting Plitvice Lakes. Questions like…

Plitvice Lakes Swimming – Can you?

No. But think of this as a positive. Swimming would only activate the lake bottom and spoil the water clarity and colour – a major attraction of Plitvice believe me! I hate to imagine the effect a million people each year splashing around in this pristine environment.

Plitvice Lakes Clear Water

Which Plitvice Lakes trails should we take?

There are eight trails in all.  The boardwalks get up close and personal with waterfalls and streams while the gravel paths circle the lakes and probe the forests.  And there are steps that lead up and up through a tall cave.

We’d researched the trails and more or less decided to begin at the top of the Lakes and work our way down. I was pleased to hear that the hosts at our family run hotel did the same each time they ventured to the lakes. Hi Five!

It’s called the H trail and it is mostly down-hill.

Plitvice Lakes boardwalks

Plitvice Map

Plitvice Lakes Map Boat

Plitvice Lakes Trail Signs

Plitvice Lakes Climbing Walkways

Plitvice Lakes Gravel Paths

How difficult will Plitvice Lakes trails be?

While the lack of handrails is great for feeling part of nature, it would be easy to fall into the water if the paths were crowded. The boardwalks are not stroller or wheelchair friendly, so consider using a back pack to carry baby. Raised tree roots criss-cross the gravel tracks in places.

I am of average fitness and found the trails easy.

How to get to Plitvice Lakes?

Rent a Car and Drive yourself.

Drive from Zagreb, spend the night nearby and visit the lakes the next morning. This worked brilliantly for us. We were able to rise at a reasonable time, have breakfast and arrive at the gates by 8 a.m.

Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes Bus.

The bus trip from Zagreb can take up to 3 hours, with the earliest bus departing Zagreb at 5.45 a.m.

The bus from Zadar takes a similar amount of time. For more bus information from Croatia Traveller click here.

Plitvice Lakes People on the walkways

Where will we park and how much will Plitvice parking cost?

For the E,F,K and H Trail use Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2 (7 kuna/hour). Cross the road via the overhead walkway and walk a short distance to the bus stop. A funny little bus that tows a carriage or two behind will drop you at the trail head. It doesn’t have a large capacity and standing in the aisles is not allowed. The gates open at 7 a.m., and the mini-buses to the trail heads start at 8 a.m.

For the A,B,C,K trails use Plitvice Entrance 1.

Car park opening hours 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The mini-bus to the trail head is included in the ticket price and departs every 30 minutes. It is a brisk ten minutes walk from the car park to the bus stop.

Plitvice Lakes Blues and Greens

Plitvice Lakes from Above

Best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?

The Spring weather in early June was perfect. There are over 10,000 visitors each day in peak season of July/August and the trails do become congested. I’ve heard that Autumn is a special time, with few crowds and beautiful colours. From December to February there is even the possibility of seeing the park under snow.

If your itinerary is flexible, juggle your days to be there when the sun is shining.

Plitvice Lakes Rock Walls

Can we buy food at Plitvice Lakes?

Yes, there is a sizeable cafe with plenty of seating. On the H trail it is situated after the boat ride across the lake. Their hamburger and chips went down just fine.

Boat on Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes Lunch Stop

Arriving at Plitvice Lakes Lunch Stop

Drinks/food can also be purchased near the ticket office at Entrance 2 car park, and possibly at Entrance 1.

How much time should I allow?

It takes 4-6 hours to do H. We took 6 hours. It is imperative to arrive early in the day. There were hardly any people at the top of H early in the morning, but as the day progressed the paths became busier. After an hour or so we started meeting people coming up the trails from the bottom. Arriving early maximises the time spent without two way traffic. By the time we reached the bottom it was difficult to find space at the viewpoints.

If an early morning visit isn’t possible I would consider arriving at about 3.30 p.m. for an evening visit although shadows may impede photography.

Plitvice Lakes Map

Plitvice Lakes Map

 

Plitvice Accommodation.

We stayed at Plitvice House Pox at Jezerce, not far by car from Entrance 2. Breakfast was included in the 40 Euro price and we purchased an evening meal there as well. We booked on Booking.com where there were other choices available.

The view from our room’s balcony.

Plitvice House Pox Balcony

Plitvice Lakes Entrance Fee

April May June* September and October. 110 kuna. kids 55 kuna. *Recommended.

July August. 180 kuna. kids 80 kuna.

All other months. 55 kuna. kids 35 kuna.

There are two day tickets (180 kuna in middle season) but we found one day was enough. Two day tickets have the ticket holder’s name printed on them.

Plitvice Lakes Opening Hours

8 am to 9 pm.

Add a link to your travel post at the link up below.  I am co-hosting Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday with Ruth from Tanama Tales and  Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.

An InLinkz Link-up


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Filed Under: Croatia, Destination Guides, Ten Weeks in Europe 2015, Wildlife

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Indrani

    May 27, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Wonderful guide! This gives all useful details to visit the place.
    I liked the greenery all around that place. Excellent captures!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 27, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks Indrani. I wish I’d found my post when I was planning to visit Plitvice!

      Reply
  2. Kathy Marris

    May 27, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    Beautiful Jan. A friend of my daughter was recently here and I was frothing over her photos of this extraordinary place. Your photos and information were absolutely perfect. You should be a travel writer!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 27, 2016 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks Kathy. I hope this post helps someone plan their Plitvice Trip!

      Reply
  3. Nancie

    May 27, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Hi Jan! How gorgeous, and I can understand the stage fright! I’ve been to some beaches in Thailand which are jaw dropping gorgeous. Also, in my home province we that the Cabot Trail, which has many of the most beautiful views that I have ever encountered. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday

    Reply
  4. Jackie Smith

    May 27, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    What a fabulous post! Not only did you do it justice with your photos and narrative, you provided an excellent guide and a tantalizing taste of this place!

    Reply
  5. Krista Bjorn

    May 28, 2016 at 4:09 am

    Staggeringly beautiful, Jan. I’m in utter awe. xo

    Reply
  6. Jill

    May 28, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I’ve always heard wonderful things about Plitvice Lakes and your photos confirm this. Stunning!

    Reply
  7. Pinky Poinker

    May 29, 2016 at 11:14 am

    I don’t blame you for having stage fright… but you gave a wonderful performance. When I visited Paronella Park as a child I had the same feeling. It’s not quite up to the splendor of this place though.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 29, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      I was so surprised when I heard of Paronella Park and visited it. Some people have vision and the will to carry out their dreams. It is an amazing place.

      Reply
  8. Frank

    June 6, 2016 at 1:19 am

    Plitvice is great. Our one regret is that we only stayed a night, I really think it deserves 2 which also allows you to walk it early in the morning as well as late afternoon. We also recommend the Hotel Plitvice (right in the park and close to the bus station – we had taken the bus to Plitvice from Zadar). Beautiful hotel and has a Mad Men air to it…and just 5 min walk to the lakes.

    You really captured it well Jan. Love the header photo – we somehow missed that viewpoint. Damn.

    Frank (bbqboy)

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 6, 2016 at 11:02 am

      I do believe my husband took that photo after climbing onto a rock in a forested area Frank. Staying a hotel right in the park would be a good option if arriving by bus.

      Reply
  9. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    June 12, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    When I finally visit Croatia, Plitvice lake is at the top of my list of places to see. I don’t know much about it, other than the the multitude of waterfalls, so this post was very educational. Somehow, the boardwalks not having railings surprises me. Good thing that my kids are old to know better than to fall off. Did you take that aerial view in the top photo yourself? Is it from the top of a hill and you have to walk all the way down?

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 13, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      We were walking through a forested part and my husband climbed up on to a rock and took this photo. We must have been up high but I don’t remember climbing to any great height except when we had to climb up through a cave because one of the walkways was under renovation. There were steps in the cave. It is an unreal place.

      Reply
  10. Dani

    September 5, 2016 at 12:25 am

    My recommendation to everyone is to Fly into Zagreb(Croatia’s capital) and spend three days there with two day trips. One to the Plitvice Lakes and the other to the town of Varazdin with a stop at Trakoscan castle on the the way. Another of my hidden secrets is even staying in the town of Rastoke about 30 mins north of Plitvice. It is a town built on Waterfalls as it used to be an old Mill town. It is stunning… GOOGLE image these places they will blow your mind.

    Reply
    • Jan

      September 5, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      That sounds like a good plan. We spent 3 days in Zagreb then went to Karlovac, Plitvice via Rastoke, Zadar, Split, Stradun, Krka National Park, Sibinek, Vis, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Cavtat and also spent 5 days in Istria touring the hill towns. I must look up Varazdin and Trakoscan Castle for next time. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Krka Versus Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia says:
    August 12, 2016 at 11:10 am

    […] Plitvice Lakes are a polished act, with grand views of large lakes, joined by waterfalls. Keep in mind if you don’t get to Plitvice early the crowds make for a stressful experience. […]

    Reply
  2. Grotta Gigante Trieste | Budget Travel Talk says:
    July 14, 2017 at 8:55 am

    […] to plan Trieste’s aqueducts. Other karst country we learned about later in this trip were Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park in Croatia and the Trebisnjica River and Neretva River in BiH. Karst […]

    Reply

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