Visiting Plitivce National Park

Old Oct 6th, 2017, 09:23 PM
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Visiting Plitivce National Park

Firstly apologies if I'm repeating previous posts on this but trying to untangle the available information to make sure that we get the most out of our visit.

I've read that it is most rewarding to walk upstream, facing the falls. Does this mean that the walk is particularly steep or continuously rising? Is Entrance 1 or 2 upstream? Of the recommended paths described on the national park website, does anyone have a particular recommendation? We're happy to walk all day if needed but aren't particularly fast and would want to stop for photographs, lunch, etc. Are the times on the national park website reasonably accurate for that kind of pace?

Are there any shops locally to buy picnic food or should we stock up in Zadar?

For late May 2018, when should we be thinking of booking accommodation, bearing in mind that we won't have a car so will need to stay close to one of the entrances (or rely on some sort of lift). We were thinking of staying two nights so we don't have to rush off to catch the bus at the end of the day (to Zagreb). Is that a good idea? I assume half/full board is the best (only?) option with hotels?

Is there anything else that you think we should be aware of? We're really looking forward to visiting as it looks amazing.
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Old Oct 6th, 2017, 10:10 PM
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I wholeheartedly recommend walking upstream, facing the falls!

IMO, it makes most sense to go in Entrance 1 (which is above the lowest, downstream part), admire the absolutely stunning view over the lower lakes, step aside to see Velika Slap, then visit the lower lakes, making your way to the boat stop at P3. After crossing the lake by boat, walk around the upper lakes before taking the shuttle back (through P2) to P1 -- or wherever you need to end.

When you enter the park at entrance 1, there is a long down-hill path to the start of the lakes. After that, It is sometimes flat, but more-or-less steadily, if gently, uphill. I don't recall any areas that were particularly steep. Of course, memory is a tricky thing. (Sigh.)

The "main" path is pretty obvious, and there are maps and rangers at each entrance. At least when I was there, the park rangers were extremely helpful in working with people to find a route that met their time and interests. I took the basic 6-hour route, and that was, I think, a fairly accurate estimate. I stopped for a LOT of pictures, so it took me closer to 7 hours, but I think 6 hours would have been plenty for the walk and a more normal number of stops for photographs.

To visit without a car, you are correct that you either need to stay at one of the hotels right at the park or ensure that you have a way to get there, and half board can be a great option. I stayed at the Villa Mukinja, where the accommodation was rather basic, but the dinner absolutely mouthwateringly fresh. And breakfast was good, too! I don't know if they offer a way to get to the park -- I had a car when I visited. rialtogrl recently posted about a place that she knows that DOES offer transportation to the park, so you might search this board for her post. (I actually find it easiest to go to google and enter key words such as fodor's, plitivice, rialtogrl, etc.)

I agree that it makes sense to stay two nights when relying on public transpiration.

One other thing: Some people argue that the best way to avoid the crowds that come in by tour bus is to get to the park entrance when it opens. I'm not a morning person, so what I did was to wait until later, a bit after 10 a.m. as I recall. Most of the tour groups are in the park by 10, so I was behind them, and moving more slowly than them, so it worked out really well for me. There were even areas where I was alone or one of just a handful of people.

The Plitvice Lakes are, indeed, amazing, and late May should be a great time to visit, with full falls and perhaps a few less tourists than later in the year.

I can't answer about shops or picnic supplies -- sorry. There is at least one place that you can stop for a snack in the park, near the shuttle stop in the upper lakes.

Hope that helps!
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Old Oct 7th, 2017, 12:58 PM
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Thank you so much, kja, very helpful.

As it turns out, it is a religious holiday when we'll be there and there is no transport on the day we would have been travelling so have adjusted our plans accordingly. I'm not sure whether that will make it busier than usual but will go anyway.

I'm guessing that there will not be a range of cafe/restaurant options so will opt for half board if it's available where we end up staying.
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Old Oct 7th, 2017, 01:08 PM
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Right - there are very few restaurant options near Plitvice. There is a little "snack bar" with a lot of seating at the P3 boat launch at the Lower Lakes part of Plitvice, though, for lunch - just burgers and fast food mostly, as I recall. There is a pizza joint just south of the park entrances (not really walkable though) at the place that rents ski equipment in what passes for the town.

I like to start in the upper lakes trails and go north to the lower lakes. That has seemed to work better for photography the couple of times I've been to Plitvice. But I'm not sure it really matters that much which direction you go. It's more important to get into the park early (opens at 7AM in season) before the mobs of tour groups arrive, clogging up the trails.
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Old Oct 7th, 2017, 02:08 PM
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We also started on the upper trails and headed downwards as it was easier for me with a foot in a walking boot. I really don't think the direction matters that much as we stopped many times making many 360 degree turns to admire the beauty.
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Old Oct 7th, 2017, 02:30 PM
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I believe most people go from low to high, so if you go in the reverse direction, you are likely to need to pass various people no matter what time you start. If you go in the same direction, you are less likely to need to pass people. I'm not sure that makes much difference, but it might be something else to consider.
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Old Oct 11th, 2017, 07:51 AM
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If you want to go in late May next year I would suggest to book lodging asap, to get the place you want... also I have just learned, that next year the entrance to the park might be done by online booking rather than just showing up. This is going to make a big difference because they will only sell a certain number of tickets for each day.

There is talk and there is reality, but keep an eye on this online booking thing. I will too and will alert folks here if this really happens. It would suck to get to the park and not be able to get in.

The place I like is Plitvice Mirin inn and they have a van, but I am not sure if it is a sure thing for people staying in the inn. You can certainly inquire. They are closing for the season on October 18 so if you write after that, they might take some days to get back to you.
Their web address -
http://www.plitvice-croatia.com/
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Old Oct 21st, 2017, 12:12 PM
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I and 3 friends visited Plitvice in mid-September. It was gorgeous! But also still packed with visitors, even at this time of year. Shuffling along with the crowd wasn't great, and we often had to duck and weave past folks who would stop on the trail and clog things up while they took photo after photo (many selfies!). I love to take pictures myself, but some of this was excessive. Once we got beyond to initial lakes and later into the day the crowds subsided and it was a lot nicer.

We stayed 2 nights in nearby Korenica (a few miles from entrances 1 and 2) at a very nice place, Guest House Rustico, which has an associated restaurant (excellent) nearby. You would need a car or ride to get to the park, however. We intended to get to the park upon its opening to try to avoid some of the reputed crowds, but the weather didn't cooperate--it was pouring down rain until about 11:00, so we waited for the skies to clear a bit and then headed to entrance 1. The entry lines weren't too crowded but the tour buses were obviously already onsite. We chose to take route C, as recommended in several posts on this forum, and were happy with the choice. The walk was definitely not strenuous--perhaps because the crowds made us move slowly--and I don't recall any serious uphill walking. There's a (free) boat ride or two involved, which gives you a chance to take a break from the walking. We were finished in about 5-6 hours, even at this leisurely pace.

Plitvice is beautiful and well worth a visit, despite the crowds. Wear good shoes (I wore walking sneakers with good treads, which was fine) and don't bother with poles--the wooden walkways often have spaces between the planks, so you would have to be attentive to where you place the poles if you used them. Have a great trip!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2017, 09:10 PM
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rialtogirl, thanks for your advice. We have booked a room and I checked the other day to see if ticket purchasing has changed - nothing so far.

aprillilacs, you remind me that the best laid plans can go astray when things don't go smoothly - like the weather. I sometimes forget to factor in enough extra time for things like that. Most of our stops on this trip are at least 3 nights but only 2 at Plitvice. Glad to hear that the walking is not too tough - although the crowds sound formidable.
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