Programme H: the Full Loop from Entrance 2

What programme H is

It is the full loop of the lakes area from Entrance 2 (Hladovina): 8.9 km in a circuit, 4 to 6 hours. The panoramic vehicle takes you up at the start and from there you walk down through the upper lakes, cross the Kozjak by electric boat, walk the canyon of the lower lakes to the Great Waterfall and return along the east edge by train. The park presents it as the programme that lets you see "the whole lakes area".

The advantage over programme C, which sees almost the same from Entrance 1, is the direction: here you start at the top and the walking stretch is mostly downhill, and you finish at the Great Waterfall instead of starting there.

The route step by step

1. Entrance 2 and train. After a short walk from the entrance, you take the panoramic vehicle to the upper part of the park.
2. Upper lakes on foot. You go down beside the chain of lakes above, between the Prošćansko, at about 636 m, and the Kozjak: Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Veliko and Malo jezero, Vir, Galovac, Milino and Gradinsko, with small waterfalls over tufa barriers.
3. Boat across the Kozjak. On reaching the park's largest lake, of 81.5 ha, you board the electric boat and cross it to the north end. On the long line it leaves every 30 minutes.
4. Canyon of the lower lakes. You continue on foot along the boardwalks beside Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovića Brod, the lowest lake, at about 503 m.
5. Great Waterfall. At the end of the canyon the Veliki slap falls, 78 m, the highest waterfall in Croatia, fed by the Plitvica stream. Below, at the Sastavci, the Korana river is born.
6. East edge and train back. You climb to the top of the canyon along the east, with views over the lower lakes, and take the panoramic vehicle back to Entrance 2.

The hardest climb of the day is the last: from the Great Waterfall to the top there is, according to the park, a steep switchback.

When to go

It needs the upper lakes open. The park says they usually close in winter and reopen in early April, depending on the weather, so it is a spring-to-autumn plan. May and June bring more water; July and August, the canyon below is full at midday.

Calculate the hours backwards from the last transport. In November 2026 the long boat line leaves until 14:30 and the panoramic vehicles run until 15:30–16:00. The timetable changes with the season: check it on the park website for your date.

Tickets and price

It is included in the general ticket, with day and time slot, bought on the official website. In 2026 an adult pays €23 in April, May and October and €40 from June to September. The afternoon rate (€25, after 16:00) leaves no time for this programme. Under-7s do not pay; ages 7 to 18, €6 to €15. The online ticket cannot be changed or refunded.

Getting there and parking

Entrance 2 is next to the D1, beside the Hotel Jezero. The car park is paid on leaving, by the hour. If you come by bus, the D1 stop is next to the entrance and the left-luggage is free. From the Korana and Borje campsites there is a bus to the park.

Food, water and pace

It is between 4 and 6 hours: carry water and something to eat. The Kozjak crossing, halfway, is a good time to stop. Afterwards, Black River is on foot from Entrance 2 and the Degenija Restaurant is next to the road, 5 km from Entrance 1.

With children or a dog

With children who walk well it works, because train and boat split the day and almost everything is downhill. With a pushchair, no: there are steps and narrow boardwalks. Dogs enter on a lead. Swimming is banned in all the lakes.