
moderate
12 hours (full day)
Moderate fitness: able to walk 3–6 miles on uneven, sometimes wet surfaces and tolerate vehicle transfers.
Swap Dalmatian coastlines for a day amid waterfalls and turquoise pools on a private, customizable trip from Split or Trogir. A licensed guide, included park entry, and door-to-door pickup make Plitvice Lakes accessible on your schedule.
You step out of an air-conditioned van and the soundscape changes: rushing water takes over where coastal traffic once hummed. The boardwalks of Plitvice Lakes unfurl in front of you—timber paths that thread across turquoise pools, over rapids that are always in motion, and beneath beech and fir that shade the valley. A licensed guide leads an hour-long walk through the park’s most dramatic section, pointing out the layered limestone cliffs and the particular way the water carves terraces and channels as it pushes toward the lower lakes.

Boardwalks can be wet and slippery; choose closed-toe shoes with good traction.
Weather changes quickly near the lakes—pack a light rain shell even on sunny mornings.
Leaving Split before 7:00 a.m. reduces drive-time stress and helps you reach the park before the busiest hours.
Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile travertine formations and avoid fines.
Plitvice Lakes was declared Croatia’s first national park in 1949 and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 for its dynamic travertine landscapes.
High visitor numbers pressure delicate travertine formations—staying on boardwalks and following park rules helps preserve ongoing mineral growth and local habitats.
Provide traction on wet boardwalks and comfort for several hours of walking.
Protects against sudden showers and spray near waterfalls.
spring specific
Keeps you hydrated during long walks; refill at park facilities where available.
summer specific
Reduces glare on water and deepens colors for lake and waterfall shots.