PLITVICE LAKES ČORKOVA UVALA TRAIL RUN – 30 KM

Once the people of this land looked up to nature with deep awe and perhaps fear, calling this land ‘the devil’s gardens’, because of the dense, hard to penetrate woods or because of the Turkish Empire frontier. Legends were woven about this isolated and unexplored area, tales were told about the Black Queen, Fairies of the Lake, freezing-cold winters, mountain giants and wild forest creatures.

The remarkable experience of the Park is even more exciting if one takes a closer look at its forest ecological systems, prevailing on over three-quarters of its surface. These instructive trails tell stories about the forest systems native to the Plitvice lakes area that harbour biodiversity helping the lake ecosystems proliferate. This trail tour goes through large forest complexes and mountain meadows with wonderful viewpoints. Boards accompany the itinerary, leading the reader through enchanting forest wildlife habitats and historical and cultural sights of this area. The trail is quite long and the terrain varies, so explorers who manage to find this trail will also benefit from its recreational aspects even if just walking. However, not many people dare to go to this part of the park so it might happen we do not run into anybody during the whole 30 km tour.

The forests and meadows are home to various wildlife species such as the bear, the wolf, the roe deer, the red deer, the lynx and the wildcat. Therefore, if you are lucky enough, you may encounter some of them on the way! If this does not happen, though, the tracks they leave are also interesting (prints etc.). Birds singing and chattering in harmony with the creaking of centennial tree branches swaying in the wind create an unforgettable symphony runners on this trail will experience.

However, there is no need to worry, as on this running tour you will be accompanied by us, local runners who all grew up on these trails.  Not only it will be impossible to get lost, we will also help you understand Plitvice lakes, its natural beauty that changes through seasons, its importance to Croatian tourism and local communities that enjoy living in the area. We will have time to discuss politics, including why Tito liked spending time here, where the Croatian War of independence in 1991 started etc. During this run we will have plenty of time to discuss local dishes, including advice on where to eat, sleep and what else to do on Plitvice lakes.

IMPORTANT: This tour does not include tickets to the park. To avoid waiting in long queues (or even not being able to enter the park), we highly recommend you to book Park entrance tickets on official Park web page.