Since I couldn’t get into the park until 8am I had a chance to sleep in a little this morning. I also had time to sit down to a lovely buffet breakfast at Hotel Jezero’s restaurant before I began my long walk through the park. I was at the park entrance just before 8am and the park attendant was nice enough to let me go in so I headed straight down to the ferry ready to start my day.
Ferry to Lower Plitvice
I didn’t realize until it started moving that this was not the same boat I had taken the day before. It was heading along Lake Kozjak instead of across the narrows to the other side. I was headed for the Lower Lakes (which I didn’t realize until much later). I had previously been told that the lower lakes were much nicer and that I should definitely see them while I was here. Luckily for me I had inadvertently gotten onto the right ferry boat.
Lake Kozjak
It was a short ride along the lake but I was happy to get moving once the ferry docked. The path meandered along the edges of the lakes offering spectacular views of the blue-ish water. Many waterfalls flowed here in the lower lakes of all different sizes. Small ones….
Through the Gap
And big ones…
Veliki Slap
There was just so much to see. As the morning progressed the crowds got larger and larger. I hadn’t realized that so many tour groups come through this park on a daily basis. One after another they came towards me as I reached the end of the lower lakes hike. Climbing the hill to the top offered great views of where I had just come from.
Lower Lakes
Over a million people have come through the park so far this year with more expected in the next few months. It makes me wonder if it ever gets quiet here (maybe during winter?). At the top of the hill awaits the tram to take visitors back to the main gate or straight on through to the other side of the park at the Upper Lakes. I climbed aboard and got off at the main gate to go back to my hotel. I had to get packed and checked out before I could do the next section of the park. After storing my luggage away at the hotel I picked up the tram again and was whisked away to the Upper Lakes.
Plitvice Upper Lakes
Many people had told me that the Upper Lakes were not as spectacular as the Lower Lakes because there weren’t as many waterfalls. I found that to not be the case at all. Now mind you this was my first trip here and I found everything beautiful so its really hard to say which side is better – Lower or Upper. Regardless, if it’s your first time visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park see all of it – spend the entire day here and enjoy because its worth it.
