Oh no, while waking up I hear the raindrops falling on our tentβ¦ I was truly looking forward to this day. The plan for today was visiting the Plitvice National Park. To see the blue water, meandering through all the lakes with their falls while the sun was shining to bring up all those bright and sparkling colours. Well nothing we can do about the weather maybe the sun will shine in an hour or so letβs get out and explore those waterfalls.π
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We wanted to be at the entrance of the National Park around openings hours, so we could get ahead of the crowd into the National Park. Most of the people visiting the park do this because of the famous waterfall pictures, I think. But the park has a lot more to offer, with wildlife like wolves, bears and lynxes (although we didnβt see them during opening hours). The park is one of the oldest National Parks in the South-East of Europe and the biggest in Croatia.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park
The park received the title National Park just after WWII in 1949. The unique natural phenomena got approved so that there could be strict measures to protect this very unique natural beauty. Even better in 1979 the park got included at the UNESCO World Heritage Register.
Why is this park so famous? It is because of the cascading lakes. At the time we were there the park counted 16 lakes. Those lakes are formed by a few smaller rivers and the underground Karst rivers. All the lakes are connected to each other. They got separated by a natural dam, created from travertine. This is created by the sedimentation of chalk. The shores of the lake are constant relocating, so the shores do change as the surrounding landscape (and the man made wooden walkways). This process of sedimentation does arrange that there will be new barriers. Water still has the simple rule it always follows the path with the least resistance. So when the barrier gets to high, the water searches another route. This has the effect that at other places there will be too much water so barriers build before will break and a waterfall starts again. This process does happen also to everything that falls in the water. There are many trees resting at the bottoms of the lakes that are now petrified.
Talking about these walkways I mentioned before, this is really photographerβs hell. So many people walking over the walkways and because theyβre made of wood, they shake a lot. So, itβs a challenge to capture some good pictures with longer shutter times. All of this is spread out across 20.000 hectare of land. Approx. 75% of the land consists of trees, the rest is only the water.
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But there is more than trees and water. Although we didnβt see any of themβ¦ The wildlife in the National Park is enormous. I mentioned the wolves, bears and lynxes already, but what do you think about the 140 bird species but also something usual as a frog is part of the unique setting here. During the civil war the park was closed. After the war in 1996 the park re-opened the doors again for the public. Two years later there was nothing that could remind you of any damage at all. The years the park was closed during the wildlife did develop further and further.
Ok stop it just stop right here thatβs enough theory for now π€
We got in the car this early morning and had a short ride to the park. While driving, my girlfriend mentioned she thought she had spotted a bear⦠So we turned around the car. But in the dusk, it turned out to be a wooden statue created by a chainsaw. First smile from the day check! It can only get better. The parking was still empty, so we got there first. Part 1 of our plan did work yeah! We parked the car at the parking for entrance 1. There are two btw as you can see on the map.
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Source: There is a secret behind the map π
We thought we could start at the main entrance because of the bad weather and outside high season who would be there!? Think again, it was still crowded!
Our plan for the day was to walk as much as we could, so we could skip the waiting line for the electrical boats and busses. Because we started at this entrance we decided to go first to the highest waterfall from the park, the Veliki Slap. This one falls down 78 meters across a solid rock wall. Not sure if this is the best waterfall from the park. Iβll let you decide that.
Although we started early, even at this time itβs already crowdy at this waterfall. Everyone wants to see this one first I assume π§ We noticed here our first wildlife encounter to, there was a small mouse in total panic. Think he was afraid of all the people who ran past him π
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From here we followed the pathway to the cave called Ε upljara cave. The existence of this cave is caused by the collapse of the bottom of the dolina (or the ceiling of the cave). This cave is the only one in the park open for visiting. Inside youβll find three halls all connected over a length of aprox 70m. In one of the halls you can find some stalagmites and stalactites. But before we got there I had to try and take some pictures from the waterfalls. Yes I did know on forehand that the walkway would be shaky while people walk at it. I thought it had to be possible to wait for some pauses in between the continuous flow of people. Well that created a lot of waiting time for me. So be aware of that when you plan to visit the park and want to use a tripod, calculate an extra amount of time needed per picture you take.
We continued our walk while following the wooden walkways. I canβt describe how beautiful they build those across the park. Wonβt mention all the waterfalls in the park, there are way too many here. We did the largest route in a day (6hrs while you keep on walking but I had to stop for my pictures π). There are seven marked routes (A, B, C, E, F, H and K), easy to follow because of the signs everywhere in the park. I hear you thinking how can you get lost while following wooden pathways anyway? It is more that you follow the right route so you can see what you want to see. The positive outcome for today was that I would get all the lovely views and my girlfriend would get the walk.
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My favorite spots
During the day weβve seen many waterfalls, beautiful views over the lakes, beautiful colors, too much to mention them all in one post. But search for the secret and you'll know where to find them.
Upper Lakes
Area around Boat Station P2
Love this area. We didnβt go on the boats, but we stayed a little bit longer in this part to enjoy it while there were no boats entering. All those babbling streams here with that lushy green and some beautiful pools you can explore. Be aware of the signs (and the rangers)!Think one of my favorite parts during the walk is the area between Galovac and Gradinsko. The area here is packed with everything you can wish for. Waterfalls, streams, pools, lakes, streams and a boardwalk crossing right through everything.
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Lower Lakes
Instagram view
Everyone knows the postcard or that famous Instagram image from this area. I call it the Instagram view.Boardwalk to the cave
When you walk here with the cave in your back, you have a nice view where the boardwalk splits in a Y shape. Not spoiling this one, letβs see if you can find this one for yourself!Canyon view
The pathway along the top of the canyon will give you a great view down onto the boardwalks and how they meander through the lakes.You can get here from the Bus stop or from Entrance 1.
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In the end we only regret the views we didnβt see
Despite the weather and way too many people I can only conclude you have to go to this National Park. I think everyone can find here something what he or she will like, the sound of all the soft waterfalls, all the colors, wildlife, nature at its best while humans are everywhere. Pretty weird!
I can close this post with some tips from things I've learned now I've visited the park.
Buy your ticket in advance because you can go in and out the park before and after sunset. The rangers won't mind as long as you have a ticket for the day. You can buy this most of the time at the hotel/campsite.
Bring your own lunch, there are some small food stands where you can buy something. But a lot of people want to and you can spend your time way better than waiting in a line for food. Another plus is that you can stop wherever you want when you found yourself a nice place for a lunch.
While walking the park, try to cross the lakes as many times as possible with the walkways because there you will have the best views. While walking during summer you might think it would be nice to wear flipflops, but I wouldn't advice to wear them. I am a flipflop guy for sure but not here! On the walkways there is also some sort of etiquette because there are no railings most of the time. Just keep right so you won't block the path and bump someone by accident into the water. Same after taking pictures, first look around you before you start moving again. Again this is only etiquette, but lets keep it fun for everyone π
Photography gear wise, better to bring a good heavy tripod with you, light travel tripods like the one I had will shake too much. Some of the waterfalls are further away from the walkways, so bring a telezoom to get them close. I didn't had mine because it wasn't fixed yet. If I would come here for a second time I will bring my 80-200 with me for sure π
Sources
Book you can buy at the reception called Plitvicka Jezera
Website from the Travel Guide to Plitvice Lakes
Website from the National Park
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I soooo want to go to Plitvice! It's so colourful - that water is terribly special. Love the post :D Including all the practical tips on flipflops and food :D
You really should go there! But I'm telling it as a waterfall addictπ€ And I want to go back π
The water is really special, with all the different colors of blue/green.
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Amazing post! I loved every photo, the place is really beautiful.
thank you! π Nice to read you loved it. Had a favorite one?
So hard to pick! I would say this one. It makes me want to dive right in!
I love smiling when it is raining and I am at the window in my warm house. So gooood!
I love your photos too. They are awesome. I am happy that @c-squared has selected this post, because It Is great.
Good job and Steem on!
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Hehe so smiling behind the window, No singing in the rain? π
Happy to read you liked my pictures! Had a favorite one?
The photo with the falls in the background taken in the middle of the River.
I hope you understand, but there are too many photos.
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One of my favorites too! π
This is one of those gems when you want to take the picture you think that the area is looking great. I took the picture and looked at the screen from my camera and had something like naaahh this ain't the best one. Getting home and look at it at your computerscreen it makes you smile again!
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Hi @guchtere. There were nice photos of yours. I especially like the waterfall and the lake. You have captured it beautifully. Thank you very much for the detail explanation of the post. I felt like I walking together with you in these lakes. This is my first encounter of a park with 16 lakes wow.. No wonder it attract a lot of tourist. Did the ran stop when you reached the park :P
Thank you for the tips as well. It very useful to any steemians who like to pay a visit to the park. and it already as one of my must visit place in my travel list. You travel a lot?
Hi @oliviackl thanks for walking with me along the lakes! π
There where moments without rain indeed, and the rain isn't the worst part. But I was hoping to see the colors sparkle with all the waterdrops from the falls when the sun hits them.
I try to travel as much as possible and save all my days off from work to go somewhere. What about you? How does your must visit list look like?
Another tip (but I'm on the team so you might see this as an advertisement π), when you visit some places from your list, try to tell about them and use the #travelfeed tag.
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Thank you for this trip into Plitvice national park, I remember your previous posts and your awesome pictures so it is nice to see that you keep exploring Croatia. When I read that wolves, bears and lynxes could be see in park, that reminded me my home town in Germany, I believe because we also had for many years protection for those animals, there are few cases when the wolves were chasing kids riding their bicycles back from school, as path was going along such parks. That is why just wondering if there were any cases reported of people been hurt by such wildlife. As you recommend I find that is a good idea to have a ticket for a day because you can really go exploring then come back to car for lunch and break and continue, because of such vast aready it is not enough to have only couple of hours, you need to have a day in your plan :)
Thanks for coming by! π In the mean time I'm already back at work... no more holidays left for this year but one post about Croatia left. Luckily it is almost 2019 with new holidays and hopefully some nice adventures again!
Wolves chasing kids on their bikes, you're serious? I always thought they would only get close when the pack is hungry during wintertimes? Don't know about any reports, the rangers didn't warn for them too so I think there aren't any recently.
The whole park is that huge you better save two days in advance I think. We didn't and we had some bad luck with the weather. The day we left the weather was beautiful again.
Ive only been here in summer and wow it looks totally different with this autumn vibe on it (water a little less vibrant as well) but super beautiful still!
Tip of the day: 'next time' go just when the park opens.. I was there at 7 am then and didnt regret it..you really saw the park flowing full 2/3 hours later
Thanks for the tip, I had it in my story more or less π We were there at the opening of the park to. Lots of buses dropped some people at the park by that time already. But for next time I'll buy my ticket in advance and go wander after opening hours.
At 10 o clock the park is crowded indeed
Would love to be there now during the other seasons, imagine all the waterfalls frozen, or everything reborn in springπ Next time you'll join?
im feeling traintickets to croatia coming up!!!
@guchtere
I saw you post on the photofriend discord but recently you have pulled your delegation.
I am thinking of doing the same, as it seems @photofriend is not doing anything with my delegation. Did you pull due to no changes as well?
@solominer that is correct didnβt get a proper reply so used the delegation now for @partiko π
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@guchtere gotcha I'm afraid I'll be pulling my delegation too if there is no word from @photofriend. Good you went with Partiko. I've been loving it and delegated as well. Hope you find some good photography curation groups.. check out Qurator if you have not already.
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I have been there twice and both times during early summer. At that time of the year Plitvice Lakes looks amazing, surrounded blossoming nature looks like from the Paradise. After vacations we were many times wondering with our friends how wild, beautiful and amazing it could be during the autumn time. Now I know and I will send this article to my mum, to be sure that she will also know :)
thanks
Thanks for coming by! π
Know I would love to know how Plitvice does look like in early summer, because the area must be booming with new life than!?
Did your mum like the pictures?
You were saying that you were not so lucky with the photos.. well, I'm not sure what you meant as these are stunning! You have such a great eye for detail and you can capture the moment and atmosphere perfectly :)
I've heard about Plitvice but never considered going there. It's because I've never seen pictures from the park :) Now I want to go there too!
We have many bears in Slovakia but believe me, it is not that easy to see one. Especially not in summer or autumn. There is still enough food so they would stay away from roads. It can happen that you can see on in winter close to the roads as it would be looking for food (If something wake it up during its sleep). I have never seen a bear in nature even though I spent a lot of time in mountains when I lived in Slovakia. They have good nose and if they smell people they run away. Unless they have kids.. then they are ready to fight.. and I think you wouldn't like to meet a bear with kids :D
These wooden walkways look so nice. I can imagine that it's not that practical for photography but it's a great experience for visitors who go there just for a walk/hike.
It looks like you had a great day even though the weather was not that cooperative :)
Thank you for sharing @guchtere! It's been a pleasure to visit Plitvice with you :)
Thank you very much for this compliment! π Does mean a lot to me! I have some more photo's but this is the best after my selection. Really got no pictures left from the park with longer shutters and no movement at all. Was really a though job to time the pictures in a moment with the crows holding still.
You really need to go to Plitvice with your new camera! Don't forget a tripod btw, because you will need it.
You're right about meeting a bear when it has kids... I really don't want to or I must be sitting in a car or something π And your story sounds familiar, seeing wildlife is still a bit of luck involved. My mums is always telling the same, I never see any dolphins or seals at our place, and you got to see them all the time!?
The walkways are perfect, even I hated them while taking a picture. It is awesome to walk over a waterfall and see the water running under your feet, and crossing lakes while all the colors surrounding you
I can imagine. I feel the same when I try to take a photo on some wooden bridge and people just keep coming and shaking the whole thing. Very frustrating..
I can imagine that a bear could do some damage to your car so I'm still not sure if it's worth a few photos, lol. Do you have dolphins in the Netherlands?
It looks very nice but it's just difficult to convince my husband to travel to former Yugoslavian countries. We went to Belgrade together and he liked that but he doesn't really want to go back :D I don't know why as his reasons don't seem to make sense :D
Very nice pictures.
thank you @dreamryder007 π
It's beautiful here, I love waterfalls, lakes and water. It is also a very nice contribution from you.
thank you @suntree π You have ever been here?
Unfortunately, I haven't been here yet. But I like it so much that I want to spend my holidays here :D
You have beautiful shots here and they do not show one bit of your technical troubles. The waterfalls are spectacular and your long exposures really catch that water well.
This is such an interesting place. I am intrigued by the idea of no railings on the walkways. This would never fly in the us.
thank you @fitinfun βΊοΈ Sorry for the late reply running a lot behind... π
Hehe I can show you some images where you can see the technical problems. Still showcasing the best images (almost the best got some other ones I'm proud off but my girlfriend is on them and she don't want to be online).
Why can't this be without railings in the USA?
Looks fantastic @guchtere - love the long exposure pics especially; would love to be able to take some myself but I have so many other things to learn first!
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Thanks @goodwithtravels! Would love to get out with you and show you some long exposure tricks.
What other things you want to learn first?
Elite photos totally illuminati initiate