NATIONAL PARKS

Out of 8 National Parks, 7 are situated directly or very near the sea, and the eighth National Park, Plitvice Lakes, lies less than 200 km away from the sea.
The Island group Brijuni, situated outside the West coast of Istria consist of 2 larger and 12 smaller islands, and another island National Park, Kornati, is the most indented island group on the whole Mediterranean.
National Park Mljet is famous for its two lakes, Big lake and Small lake, National Parks North Velebit, Paklenica, and Risnjak are attractive for mountaineers, speleologists, botanists and alpinists, and the National Park Krka lies on the most beautiful Croatian karst river Krka.

One other island group National Park, Kornati, is the most indented island group on the whole of Mediterranean with as many as 140 uninhabited islands, islets and cliffs. It is a paradise for nautical experts, modern Robinsons and divers. The first time you visit Kornati you might be surprised by the clash of sharp whiteness of karst with soothing blueness of the sea hiding many secrets but one soon gets used to it and can see how these two complement each other perfectly. The "crowns" of Kornati are the best-known phenomenon of the Park. This beautiful name has been righteously given to white vertical cliffs facing the open sea. The crowns are witnesses, but also the most beautiful result of long geological processes. You will probably want to know whether people used to live in Kornati in the ancient times. You can visit Illyrian buildings and ruins, which are the oldest on the islands situated on the hills of the islands of Kornat and Žut. Fortress Tureta on the island of Kornat was built during Byzantine time probably in the 6th century and its function was to protect and watch over the ships on the then rather unsafe Adriatic Sea. Visit to the remains of Lavsa salt works, which are today sunken. Another interesting sight is the island of Vela Panitula with a Venetian castle dating back to the 16th century.

Combination of continental and coastal climate in National Park Plitvice Lakes has resulted in pleasantly warm summers and snow rich winters. Fresh springs and colorful autumns have been attracting visitors for a long number of years. Plitvice Lakes is a destination you can visit during all four seasons and you will always have an impression that you have come for the first time. Sixteen turquoise mutually interconnected lakes make a unique image created by nature. The lakes decant one into the other through many waterfalls. You can walk around them using numerous bridges and paths or take a romantic boat ride. Also, one of the phenomena is the transparency and clearness of the lakes so you can see as far as 8 meter down through the water.

National Park Krka is situated on the most beautiful Croatian karst river Krka.
The river represents a sort of karst phenomenon, which, on its way towards the sea, forms numerous lakes, waterfalls and currents. Most impressive and most visited of these are Skradinski buk and Roški waterfall. Roški waterfall is easily reachable and can be visited through the entire year.
From Roški waterfall onwards, the river Krka forms a long Visovačko lake. In the middle of this lake stands an island called Visovac with a church and Franciscan monastery, which give the lake additional sense of mystery.
First people to visit the island were the Augustines (hermits) in the 14th century who built the convent and church. Skradinski buk is considered to be one of the most beautiful segmented waterfalls in Europe.
It is possible to see it from several places connected by walking paths and bridges.

 

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National Park Paklenica is a small but important part of mountain Velebit including two canyons: Velika and Mala Paklenica.
It is one of the most attractive and most beautiful natural pheonomena in Velebit that has become worldwide mountaineering attraction.
In the Velika Paklenica canyon you can find the largest rock called Anica kuk, which is especially popular among climbers.
In the whole of National Park there are over 400 places to climb of varying difficulty and length so every climber can be satisfied. Many animals found their home in the National Park Paklenica among which are protected birds griffon vultures, bears, wild boars, wild cats, lynxes, and numerous gentle butterflies.
Combination of climbing activities that are offered in the park together with beautiful nature and animal world, will make any visitor delighted.

 

 

 

Mljet
The greenest Adriatic island and National Park situated southwest of Dubrovnik is special for its two lakes Big and Small Lake as well as for unique forests of Mediterranean oak. The main reasons for proclaiming the island a National Park is extraordinary indentedness of coast and lush flora with rich forests.
Coming in from the South of the island the sea finds its to the island's inside forming the Big Lake through a barely visible isthmus, and than through an even smaller isthmus the sea water forms the Small Lake.
The lakes are salty and rich in various shells (mussels, pen shells, Noah's arcs, oysters), and plankton, which has already been a focus of several scientific studies. You can swim in the open sea or the Big Lake and if you visit the island in spring or fall you will be able to swim in the Small Lake which is always warmer than the Big Lake and the sea.
You can enjoy long walks through thick pine forests where you might spot a mungos, an unusual small animal that protects the island from sneaks.

 

 

National Park Risnjak situated in Gorski Kotar was named after the Croatian word for lynx, a type of wildcat, which belongs to endangered species and is under special protection.
There you can see the edelweiss, an endangered flower.
Walking through the educational trails you will see numerous plants and enjoy the fresh air. National Park Risnjak is interesting to climbers, speleologists and biologists but also to all nature lovers.
Educational trails were built for all people in order to get to know the natural beauties of Risnjak in an easy and fun way. After walking through the National Park visit the nearby forests where you can enjoy plenty of fresh air and pleasant smell of evergreen wood.

 

 

Three larger and 12 smaller islands that have been homes to the wealthiest and important families since the Antique comprise the Brijuni archipelago situated parallel to the western coast of Istria.
Just as a large part of the Adriatic coast, Brijuni are an ideal combination of natural beauties and cultural heritage.
Ever since prehistoric times people have recognized how favorable the position of the islands is and started creating history on a relatively small area.
If you come to Brijuni you will see historic traces everywhere, since there are over one hundred localities and objects of archeological and cultural-historical values on the islands that date back to the period of neolith.
The combination of turquoise blue sea and fresh green is a true natural paradise where cultural monuments remind us of past times. White Istrian stone that can be found throughout the islands and their beaches stretches like a pearl necklace.

 

 

 

 

National Park Northern Velebit is situated in the mountain area, more accurately on the mountain Velebit which is a natural border between continental and coastal climates in Croatia.
It is very popular among mountaineers, speleologists and nature lovers in general. Mountaineers experts consider it to be a true gem. Many mountain paths intersect the Park.
The most famous is Premužić path that passes through the most beautiful and most interesting parts of northern Velebit.
You can enjoy a spectacular view over the Adriatic sea and islands from the mountain tops. In the past this area was inhabited by a number of people which can be seen from numerous ruins of old cattle breeders' houses.
On the side of Velebit facing the sea lies Zavratnica bay, a sunken valley, the most beautiful detail of Subvelebit coast.

 

source: Adriatica.net

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