Hiking Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Sixteen terraced lakes joined by waterfalls, walked on boardwalks through Croatia's oldest national park.
Plitvice is not a hard hike, and it does not pretend to be one. It is a network of wooden boardwalks and gravel paths threading through sixteen terraced lakes, each spilling into the next over natural dams of travertine. The water shifts from turquoise to green to grey-blue depending on the light and the season. Founded in 1949, it is Croatia's oldest national park, and it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979.
The park splits into the Upper Lakes, quieter and surrounded by forest, and the Lower Lakes, set in a limestone canyon and home to Veliki slap, the tallest waterfall in Croatia. Signed routes run from about two hours to a full day. Most visitors combine both halves using the electric boat across Lake Kozjak and the park's shuttle train, both included in the ticket. Swimming is banned everywhere in the park, and rangers enforce it.
The honest catch is crowds. In July and August the boardwalks are busy from mid-morning, and in peak season you book a timed entry slot online in advance. Arrive at opening or in the late afternoon and it feels like a different place. Spring brings the most water over the falls, and autumn turns the forest red and gold, which makes April to June and September to October the best months to go.
Half day to full day
Easy, boardwalks and gravel paths
From €74
Year-round, best spring and autumn
None, suits all ages
Self-guided or guided tours
Zagreb, or park Entrance 1 or 2
Park entry, lake boat, park train
Who is it for?
Best for: Families, mixed-fitness groups, photographers, and anyone who wants big scenery with no gear and no training. Most routes are flat or gently sloped.
Skip it if: You want a real mountain hike with climbing and solitude, or you can only go in high summer at midday. For that, look at Paklenica or Durmitor instead.
How the day runs
Arrive at Entrance 1 or Entrance 2 at your booked time, ideally at opening.
Walk the Lower Lakes canyon on the boardwalks to Veliki slap.
Cross Lake Kozjak on the electric boat.
Climb gently through the Upper Lakes, past the most waterfalls in the park.
Ride the park train back to your entrance.
Guided tours from Zagreb, Zadar or Split follow a similar loop with transport and tickets included.
Plitvice Lakes questions
Ready to walk Plitvice?
Book a guided day trip from Zagreb, with your park ticket and a stop at Rastoke included.
