Walking Croatian National Parks

Zvecaj is a small village by the Mreznica River, not far from the highway connecting the Croatian capital city of Zagreb with the harbour of Rijeka. We will meet you at the airport, railway station, or in the harbour. Zeleni kut (“The Green Corner”) is a well-known restaurant and a small family-owned hotel overlooking the green Mreznica River and its waterfall. It was built above an old mill, which now supplies electric power. The hotel serves traditional Croatian specialties using fresh water fish from its fishing ponds, homemade cheese, ham, and sausages as well as fresh vegetables and fruit from local farms. In the evening, we will meet on the terrace overlooking the river for dinner and a brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our guides and fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Zvecaj hotel; 
Meals: D;
Drive: 1h from Zagreb airport.

The Risnjak mountain range is named after a rare animal that inhabits its woods – the lynx. It is located in Gorski Kotar, the most mountainous and heavily forested region of the country, about 15 km inland from the Adriatic Sea. The pristine park covers an area of 63,5 km2. It includes both the Risnjak and Snjeznik ranges and the source area of the Kupa River. We start our hike from Vilje, which will lead us towards our goal – Big Risnjak, the highest point of the mountain range. Schlosser’s mountain hut, situated 100m below the peak, is probably one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia. After resting and enjoying the amazing view over the sea, other peaks of Gorski Kotar and even the Alps, we will descend slowly back to Vilje. After hiking, we will return back to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Zvecaj hotel;
Meals: B; 
Walking: 3- 4 h, easy/moderate, well-marked paths;
Drive: 1.5 h- 2 h each way.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Croatia’s youngest national park – Northern Velebit National Park. The area was designated a national park due to its richness of karst phenomena, outstanding biodiversity, and exquisitely beautiful nature on a relatively small area. The Park is crisscrossed with numerous mountaineering trails. The most famous is the Premužić trail, named after its constructor, who built it in the late 1933. The path runs through the most beautiful and the most interesting parts of the park. From the numerous peaks in the surroundings, you can have a magnificent view of the Adriatic Sea, its islands and the continental side of the mountain chain. Accommodation in Plitvice Lakes National Park is provided by the families of Korana Village, a small, romantic place hidden away in a valley by the Korana River. The houses are small, traditional dwellings with simple rooms in an idyllic setting. The peaceful atmosphere makes the village an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area – Korana Village has no pubs, restaurants, shops, schools, not even a church – it’s just a village as small and wonderful as it can be, an ideal setting for a fairy tale…
Accommodation: Private guesthouses in Korana Village; 
Meals: B, D;
Walking: 4 – 5 h, easy/moderate, well-marked paths;
Drive: 2.5 h each way.

Today we visit the most beautiful national park of Croatia – Plitvice Lakes National Park. We start our day walking along the wooden paths and bridges in and around Plitvice Lakes National Park. Its exquisite series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90 waterfalls and numerous caves make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the pure and untouched nature. Panoramic boat and train rides will take us back to the start. Later in the afternoon, we return to our accommodation in the village just in time to enjoy some free time before dinner.
Accommodation: Private guesthouses in Korana Village; 
Meals: B, D;
Walking: 4-5 h, easy, well-marked paths.
Drive: 15 min each way;

After saying goodbye to our village hosts, we continue south to Paklenica National Park, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a favorite hiking and climbing destination. Paklenica National Park covers the area of torrent flows of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, their distinctive canyons carved vertically into the south slopes of Mount Velebit and the broader surrounding area. This relatively small area offers exceptional diversity of geomorphologic phenomena and forms, diverse flora and fauna, attractive landscapes and intact nature. Having adapted to the geographic and climatic environment, the locals mostly engage in nomadic stock herding, which can be seen by their mountain shepherd residences. Hiking is the only way to get to know Paklenica National Park. The most popular trail is the one leading to Borisov Dom, a mountain hut popular among mountaineers. After descending to the sea, we drive to Skradin for the evening.
Accommodation: 3* Skradinski Buk Hotel in Skradin; 
Meals: B; 
Walking: 4-5 h, moderate, well-marked paths;
Drive: 2 h + 1 h.

The last day of the journey takes us to Krka River National Park with its fantastic karst formations and travertine waterfalls. We explore the park’s extensive waterways and complex history dating back to the late 10th century and the first Croatian kings. One of the options is a visit to Skradinski Buk waterfall, the place where the second hydro plant in the world was built, just a few years after the one on Niagara Falls. A boat will take us to Visovac Island and its Franciscan monastery. After walking, we return to the hotel and enjoy a late afternoon in the old town before the final evening dinner and a celebration of an amazing adventure.
Accommodation: 3* Skradinski Buk Hotel in Skradin; 
Meals: B, D; 

Depart from Skradin to Split airport and flight home. If you decide to spend more time in Croatia, our guides will be happy to recommend other beautiful places to visit – especially those you won’t find in tourist guide books.
Meals: B;
Drive: Split 1 h