Excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park From Zagreb

Sightseeing  :  Croatia  :  City Of Zagreb  :  Zagreb  :  Day Trips

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a 295-sq.-km forest reserve in central Croatia. It's known for a chain of 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls, that extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water, and a Lake Kozjak ferry links the upper and lower lakes. The latter are the site of Veliki Slap, a 78m-high waterfall.The unity and harmony of the 16 lakes here and their rare natural and cultural value is not only famous throughout Croatia, but also worldwide; earning this remarkable national park a coveted place on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites. Arriving at Plitvice, you'll walk through these ancient woodlands. The path takes us first across Gornja Jezera (Upper Lakes),a system of 12 lakes separated by travertine barriers. Wherever you are in Pltivice it's easy to see why its travertine marble formations are such an extraordinary natural phenomenon. The barriers, sills and other forms created in these lakes, karst rivers and streams are still an ongoing process that shapes the wonderful landscapes that make your walk through the park so enjoyable. Its these same travertine formations that have and are still creating the  numerous magnificent waterfalls here. Over time, the water changes its course, leaving some barriers dry as it deposits new layers elsewhere. This constant evolution makes the Plitvice Lakes never look the same. The best way to actually see this happening is when you are standing in front of the Big Waterfall, 78 meters high, The roaring thunder of the water as it hits the ground is unforgettable!