Turquoise lakes, waterfalls and wooden walkways make Plitvice one of Croatia’s most memorable landscapes. Your entrance shapes the day: Entrance 1 is closest to the Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall, while Entrance 2 opens onto the Upper Lakes. The park’s marked routes make it easy to choose between a shorter visit and a full circuit.
Entrance 1: the Lower Lakes and Great Waterfall
The A route starts at Entrance 1 and loops through the Lower Lakes canyon to Veliki slap, Croatia’s highest waterfall. At about 3.5 kilometres and two to three hours, it’s a good fit if you want to see the park’s best-known waterfall without taking on a full-day walk.
Entrance 2: the Upper Lakes
The E route explores the Upper Lakes, where wooded shores frame cascades and clear water. It covers about five kilometres in two to three hours, with a short boat ride and a return by the park’s panoramic vehicle. Choose this side for a quieter-feeling walk among the lakes and smaller waterfalls.
Want to see both lake areas?
The C route from Entrance 1 links both lake areas with a mix of walking, boat and panoramic vehicle. It’s about eight kilometres and takes four to five hours, making it a rewarding choice if you have most of the day and want to experience the park’s varied scenery.
View in GoExploringAll three routes use marked paths and, where included, park transport by boat or panoramic vehicle. Check which routes and services are operating on your visit date, and choose a ticket for the entrance where your walk begins.
Swimming is prohibited throughout the national park, so enjoy the lakes and waterfalls from the trail. For a different Croatian waterfall visit, compare the Krka guide from Skradin, where the boat and walking approaches create a different kind of day.