There are two entrances to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Entrance One at the northern end of the lake system and Entrance Two about 3km further south.

The route below involves about 12km of walking, but it would be easy to make this around 4km, if, after lunch, you take the ferry to Entrance Two and then the shuttle bus back to Entrance One.

Morning: Entrance One to Veliki Slap

A day in the park is best started at Entrance One, from where paths zig-zag downwards to the shores of a group of lower lakes – Milovac, Gavanovac and Kaluđerovac - their shores bordered by steep slopes smothered in greenery. Boardwalk trails lead across the waters to the foot of Veliki Slap, Croatia’s largest waterfall. Shrouded by clouds of steam and spray for much of the year, it is transformed into tendrils of ice in midwinter.

Lunch at Lake Kozjak