Sublime hills with intact forests, wide grassy expanses and idyllic pastures: this is what characterizes the natural beauty of our region.
From the stunning Plitvice Lakes to the Barać Caves (Baraćeve špilje), the towers of the ancient village of Drežnik, the village of Rastoke and many other hidden and little-known gems, our surroundings are full of incredible places that will captivate you. Embark on a thousand activities, explore the rich past and enjoy the beauty of untouched nature.
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera) is an incredible collection of breathtaking natural beauties. Nestled in the heart of wild nature, the park enchants its visitors with crystal clear lakes, spectacular waterfalls and lush vegetation.
Its sixteen lakes, arranged in two areas and divided into Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes, represent a true oasis of peace and beauty. The chromatic diversity and shades of the water, ranging from turquoise to dark green, create incredible visual effects, while the water flows gently from one lake to another, creating fairy-tale waterfalls. The wooden bridges and kilometers of paths will allow you to explore every corner of this magical world, where you will understand what it really means to live in contact with nature. To do so, you can also use the electric boat or the panoramic train.
Take a walk around Plitvice Lakes in any season, because every moment spent in the park will give you truly special magical moments.
Enjoy exploring this paradise on earth which is only 8 km away from Plitvice Holiday Resort.
An expert guide will accompany you along the illuminated path that passes between gigantic stalactites and stalagmites; and as you advance, he will tell you about the thousand-year history of these caves, their geological structure and the importance of some archaeological finds found there. You will discover numerous stone monuments, the ancient habitat of the cave bear and the place where a medieval bracelet and a stone scraper from the Paleolithic were found. The guided tour also includes moments of absolute silence and darkness so that this unique experience will be forever imprinted in your mind.
For nature lovers there are also 3 hiking trails: staza Vučja (Wolf Trail – 1.2 km), staza Risja (Lynx Trail – 3.1 km) and staza Medvjeđa (Bear Trail – 7.5 km). These are not too demanding trails with different walking times (from 20 minutes to 4 hours).
The picnic area at the foot of the caves is a real little oasis of peace on the banks of the stream. The picnic area and the bar among the trees are ideal for resting after a walk or a visit to the caves.
Due to the specific architectural identity of the village, with its working mills, Rastoke is a rural complex protected as a cultural monument since 1969. It was entered in the Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage of the County Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Zagreb. In 2008, it was entered as a historical and cultural rural complex in the Register of Cultural Heritage of Croatia.
What is so special about this place? We owe the appearance and the special features of this village to the Slunjčica River, whose waters flow over a length of 500 meters into the Korana River through twenty-three waterfalls. There are 23 waterfalls in total, the most famous of which are Hrvoje, Vilina Kosa and Buk. In order to use the natural power of the water and operate the millstones, in Rastoke it was decided to build the mills directly on those waterfalls that have a difference in height of at least 4 or 5 meters. Consider that in 1967 there were twenty-two mills in Rastoke, twenty of which ground corn, rye, barley, wheat, millet etc. Today the sound of the millstones can still be heard in the home of Jareb, a family of millers who live on the first floor of a typical rustic house with the mill on the ground floor. In fact, in Rastoke all the houses are similar: rectangular in shape, they are built on two floors and have the typical gànjak (wooden balcony) stretching along one facade. In Rastoke you will experience all the strength of nature: balanced between the past and the future, Rastoke teaches us the importance of returning to nature.
The Water Trail will take you through the Korana River Canyon, through untouched landscapes full of opportunities for an active holiday as well as complete relaxation. The water of the Korana once powered numerous mills, one of which you will encounter along the way. In the summer months, the canyon dries up and the water retreats into the fascinating and mysterious underground, which has not yet been sufficiently explored. The tower of the Old Town of Drežnik proudly watches over the canyon.
