Numerous natural attractions
NATURAL BEAUTIES WITHIN REACHHills with untouched forests, meadows and pastures are the main feature of natural attractions of the entire region. No industry is to be seen for tens of kilometres away, so the waters of local Korana, Mrežnica and Slunčica rivers are clean and crystal clear.
Situated just 8 kilometres away is the National Park Plitvice Lakes, and very close is the National Park of Northern Velebit Paklenica as well. Many caves have been discovered close to the camp, among which the most famous Caves of Barać and Matešić Caves.
National park
Plitvice lakes
Plitvice are considered to be one of the most beautiful European natural resources. The turquoise color of these 16 lakes comes from the deposits of calcium carbonate, while thick woods and the intact nature show elements of virgin forests. The park is the habitat of various kinds of birds and small game, as well as deer, bears, wolves, boars, wild cats, and in the crystal-clear water of these lakes you will see trouts. Miles long visitor paths are connected with wooden bridges, and the visitors can also use small tourist trains. On the biggest Kozjak lake, you can take a tour on an electrical boat connecting the upper and the lower lakes (gornja i donja jezera). Take a walk in this heaven on earth during any season, each of them is magical in its own way. The doors to the National park are open for visitors till 7 PM during spring and autumn and till 8 PM during the summer. We organize transfer to the Plitvice lakes and back with a shuttle bus during summer season.
Plitvice lakes are located 8 km from the Plitvice holiday resort.
National park
North Velebit
Due to the exceptional variety of karst features, wildlife and breathtaking nature on this relatively small area, Northern Velebitwas registered as a National park in 1999. On 109 km2 you will find a strict nature reserve Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi, which represent a specific geomorphological phenomenon with more than 150 caves. If you wish to explore intact nature, take a walk along one of the numerous mountain paths leading to the Visibaba (Snow drop) botanical reserve, in which you will find the biggest site of endemic Croatian Sibirea, or the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa botanical reserve.
NP North Velebit is located 94 km from the Plitvice holiday resort.
National park
Paklenica
National park Paklenica is situated on the coastal hillside of southern Velebit. In the untouched nature you will enjoy the richness of geomorphological phenomena and forms, diverse wildlife and attractive canyons of rivers Velika and Mala Paklenica.
National Park Paklenica is located 124 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
National park
Kornati
The stone labyrinth consisting of eighty-nine islands, islets and rocks in the sea – these are the Kornati islands. The most indented island group in the Mediterranean. The views of the Kornati islands from the air, from the sea…or from the island’s lookouts towards the sea, are equally impressive – but completely different to the eye. Each is worth the experience and further study. Dry stone walls on the Kornati islands silently and persistently testify the painstakingness of human labour on a barren stone land surrounded by crystal clear sea. Kornati – stone pearls of the Mediterranean.
As always, beauty provokes a portrayal, but a description can rarely be as beautiful. When without the ability for realistic portrayal, legends come to life. Thus, according to one of the legends, Kornati originated from white rocks that God was left with after his creation of the world. He threw them into the sea, took a look and realized that there was nothing left to improve.
National Park Kornati is located 200 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
The caves of Barać
The entrance to the Barać caves is 6km east of Rakovica and 0.5km west of the Nova Kršlja village. These limestone rocks hide numerous stalactites, stalagmites and stalagmites. Various archaeological items were found here: stone axes, bracelets from the 7th century B.C. etc. According to the legend, the caves were named after one of the local villagers, Barać, who fought courageously and defeated a Turkish giant. This last name – Barać – vanished during the centuries, and it does not exist anymore in this area. There are organized visits to the Barać caves, with an expert guide (45-60 minutes). You can join a guided group in Croatian, English, German or Italian.The Caves of Barać are located 9 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
The Canyon of Korana
Watermill
When coming down the Korana canyon, you will find the Špoljarić watermill and sawmill from the 19th century. The mill has been used for grinding wheat, corn, barley and other crops for decades. It is interesting to note that this traditional way of grinding is much better than grinding with modern power machines. The mill includes the navigation platform which drives the water to the spindle with wooden spoons. Water power is then transferred to the internal part, i.e. the heavy mill stone that grinds the crops into fine flour. Recommended!
The watermill is located 4 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
Forest ecosystem
The Čorkova Bay
For a complete experience of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, one should get to know its forest ecosystem that covers more than ¾ of the park’s area. Educational paths present the forest ecosystem to visitors who, on an active vacation, want to enrich their stay at Plitvice Lakes, gain new knowledge and get to know the role of the forest in the preservation of the lakes. Trails lead through large forest complexes and mountain meadows with beautiful lookouts and educational signs located along the trail. Besides the educational character, due to their length and terrain configuration, the paths have a recreational character as well.
Forests and meadows are habitats for many animal species that visitors may encounter during their vacation. No less interesting are the traces that they leave and the chirping of birds (piciformes and songbirds), which additionally contributes to the atmosphere that, in symbiosis with the sound of the wind and inevitable creaking branches of centuries-old trees, truly creates a natural symphony with an unparalleled ambience.
The Čorkova Bay is located 20 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
Family farm – Ranch
Deer valley
The Dolina Jelena Ranch, which is part of the Bićanić family farm, breeds red and fallow deer. It is located within the area of the town of Drežnik, 12 kilometres from the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and stretches over around 15 hectares.
The Ranch offers a tour that enables the visitors to enjoy the beauty of its nature through uncommon sightseeing and feeding of the deer. Summer working hours: 9-11 a.m., 6-8 p.m.
The Ranch is located 5 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.
Aquatica
Freshwater aquarium
The freshwater aquarium in Karlovac is a relatively new project that offers visitors an interesting and astounding presentation of the freshwater world, during which the visitors are able to experience a river stream from its source to its mouth, observing aquarium animals from above, from the sides and from below. Walking along the stream, visitors can hear the river flow, after which the sounds become more silent and they enter the caves that contain endemic species. After the caves, the river flows downstream once again and the visitors pass under a tunnel, cross a bridge over a pond and, right after travertine barriers, several aquariums pour over waterfalls.
The aquarium represents the flora and fauna of Croatian rivers and lakes, the geological past, traditional culture and history of four Karlovac rivers – Korana, Kupa, Mrežnica and Dobra, an excursion that we recommend for sure.
The Aquatica is located 70 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort
Kuterevo
The Bear Refuge
Kuterevo is a small village with 634 habitants. It is located between the seaside and the Velebit mountain range, 30 km from Senj, 60 km from the Plitvice Lakes National Park and only 10 km from the Northern Velebit National Park. It stretches over a 6 km long valley.
The refuge was founded in 2002, and since then the bears have been a major attraction in the village. Nine bears are cared for at present, two of which came from a zoo, while others lost their mothers as cubs and therefore had no chance of surviving in the wild. The refuge is divided into two parts – the first is intended for younger bears and the second for adult ones.
The Bear Refuge is located 85 km from the Plitvice Holiday Resort.