Set off on easy forest hikes right outside the capital or walk across rugged mountain wilderness on multiday treks. Roam through wooded national parks for close-up views of splendid waterfalls and multicolored lakes. Or, ascend colossal mountains for sublime views of the coastline.
Lonely Planet – Jun 29, 2022
Croatia’s diverse hiking options are the country’s best-kept secret. Here are five of the best.
For the best national park hike, visit Plitvice Lakes
5 miles (8km) round trip, 4-5 hours, easy to moderate
The verdant water wonderland of Plitvice Lakes is continental Croatia’s showcase. With its dazzling series of 16 crystalline lakes, cascading waterfalls, limestone cliffs, deep canyons and shady forests, Croatia’s oldest and largest national park is a delightful place to roam.
Though only 1% of the park’s surface consists of lakes, they steal the show. Plitvice’s lesser-known highlights are its forests of beech-fir, silver pine, spruce and hop hornbeam. You can choose between eight different hiking routes that take in the forests and the lakes; four from the northern entrance to the park (Entrance 1), which are marked in green, and four from the southern entrance (Entrance 2), marked in orange.