Programme A: Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall

What programme A is

It is the shortest route marked by the park from Entrance 1 (Rastovača), the northern one: 3.5 km in a circuit, 2 to 3 hours. It walks the canyon of the lower lakes, the most photographed stretch of Plitvice, and returns along the east edge without using the boat or train. It is the option if you have half a day, are going with small children or are passing through on the way to the coast.

There are four lower lakes: Novakovića Brod, the lowest in the whole system, at about 503 m altitude, Kaluđerovac, Gavanovac and Milanovac. They sit in a canyon with limestone walls and are separated by tufa barriers, the porous rock that the water gradually deposits and that forms the waterfalls. At the far end drops the Great Waterfall (Veliki slap), the highest in Croatia: 78 m to the small pool at its base. It does not come from the lakes, but from the Plitvica stream, which plunges over the edge of the canyon; below, it joins the water from the lakes at the Sastavci, where the Korana river is born.

The route step by step

1. Entrance 1. You validate your ticket and go down from the rim to the bottom of the canyon. From above you see the stepped lower lakes and the Great Waterfall opposite.
2. To the Great Waterfall. Already at the bottom of the canyon, a short detour leads to the foot of the waterfall. It is the busiest spot in the park.
3. Boardwalks upstream. You continue along the wooden boardwalks beside Novakovića Brod, Kaluđerovac, Gavanovac and Milanovac, at water level and with small waterfalls on both sides.
4. Kozjak bridge. At the end of the lower lakes you reach the Kozjak bridge area, at the foot of the park's largest lake.
5. Climb and return along the east. From there you climb the east slope of the canyon and return along the top to Entrance 1, with another round of views from above.

Almost all the ascent is in the initial descent and the final climb. The rest is flat, on wood.

When to go

Programme A can be done all year: the park says that in winter the lower lakes usually stay open even when the upper ones close. In May and June the waterfalls carry more water. In July and August, the canyon fills up mid-morning; enter in the first slot or with the afternoon rate.

In November 2026 the entrances open from 8:00 to 15:00 and ticket sales close at 13:00. Check the season's hours on the park website before going.

Tickets and price

The programme is included in the park's general ticket, which is bought with a day and time slot on the official website. In 2026 an adult pays €10 from November to March, €23 in April, May and October and €40 from June to September; in summer it falls to €25 if you enter after 16:00 (after 15:00 in September). Under-7s do not pay and ages 7 to 18 pay €4 to €15, depending on the season. You cannot enter before your time and only an hour's delay is allowed.

Getting there and parking

Entrance 1 is next to the D1 road, at the northern end of the park. The car park is paid on leaving: €2 an hour from June to September and €1.50 in spring and autumn. The buses between Zagreb and the coast stop on the D1 on both sides, and there is free left-luggage for your suitcase.

With children, a pushchair or a dog

It is the simplest programme for children: short, with no changes and with water at every step. A pushchair is not a good idea because of the steps and the climb; better a baby carrier. The park warns that the routes are not wheelchair accessible in their entirety and that at the entrance they tell you the most practicable route. Dogs may go, always on a lead. Swimming is banned in all the lakes.

If you want more, programme C starts the same way and continues to the upper lakes. For lunch on leaving, Lička kuća is opposite Entrance 1.