Plitvice Lakes (Plitvicka Jezek), National Park
After visiting Zagreb, the capital of Croatia it was time to get back to nature again. And so, the next few days in Croatia were rather fun and adventurous. Hiking at Plitvice Lake (or Plitvicka Jezek) National Park was great. That said, different to my expectations. Better or worse? Is it worth a visit? Either way, I was ready for a big day, hiking a challenging 10km walk. Or so I though. As it was a little bit different.
Hiking at Plitvice Lakes
First of all I had to pay entry (150KN/20Euro). Really? For a park? In addition, although I arrived quite early, there was a big queue at the entry already. After waiting for approx. 30min I was in, but also all the other tourists. It was packed! Clearly everybody thought the Plitvice Lakes were worth a visit. (Ok, I admit it was Sunday as well).
Luckily I lost all of the tourists as soon as I went up the steep hill so I had an hour to myself. Before I returned back to the narrow path along the lake and waterfalls it was like a stop and go. It was slow mainly because of all the people who decided to stop in the middle of the path, taking some photos of a tree or a fish. Not to mention taking selfies!
The lower park of the lake, reached by a ferry, was no different. People everywhere! However, as earlier in the day, I lost most of them as I walked the long way back (rather than catching the ferry). After all I was here, hiking at Plitvice Lakes, and not catching ferries. Sounded great to me!
The park itself was stunning! The colours of the water was very photogenic and I achieved my hiking goal after all. So, happy at the end, I learned a new travel lesson: Never go to a touristy place on a Sunday (especially when you can avoid it)! And I remembered this lesson through all my future travels.
