Every person we had met that had been to Croatia said that we have to visit the waterfalls at Plitvice. We were currently in Trogir and contemplating going back along the coast to Istria and visiting the places we had missed on the way down. Indeed that was the original plan and then continue to lake Bled to relax for a week doing nothing then back into Austria. The forecast for the next couple of weeks was still rain showers.
If we was ever in Scotland or Wales and it was raining we would always look for a waterfall. At least you were guaranteed water. We all thought there was no point in going to Bled if it was raining, as for the places we had not been on the way down it gave us an excuse to come back. So Plitvice it was.
It was a nice enough drive through the back roads of Croatia. We had chosen to avoid the motorway a) because we were greedy and b) to see more of the country, (but mainly a).
We picked the campsite in Grabovac that was about 10 miles past the waterfalls because there was a bus shuttle from the site.
On arrival we were told there was not many free pitches and were given 2 at the rear. When we got there someone was already on them. We had to traipse back and a different person gave us a few options. We just picked 2 together, they were all okay.
When we went back we inquired about the bus shuttle. It left about 9:15am which was too late for us. We had been told to get there early to avoid the thousands of Japanese tourists who get bussed in. Someone told us there was plenty of space to park our van, especially if we get there early so that's what we decided on.
There is a restaurant next door to the campsite and we had a meal here.The next day we were up and away for 7am and got to entrance no 1.
A short walk across to the entrance and €47 later (for 2) we were in.
There are a number of walks you can do depending on your level of fitness.
I'm not sure what I expected but the first water fall was Veliki Slap (big waterfall in Croatian funnily enough) was amazing. It was across a valley and there was already a trail of people walking on the boards.
The path winds down and then is replaced by boards. Sam found this really difficult to walk on due to the gaps, so bear this in mind if you have a dog.
The pathways continue for a mile or so until you get to a place near the lake with toilets and a cafe. From here you get a boat across to the other side where you continue the walk. Around every corner more and more waterfalls confront you. Just when you think there cannot be anymore there is another one.
At the end a bus takes you back to the start.
When we got back to the start in the early afternoon the paths were chokka.
We were glad we came so early. The Japanese did appear and soon caught up with us. I thought for some reason that the Japanese were very polite. They most definitely are not. They will push you out of the way to get their selfies. I got fed up of them very quickly. It was the first time we had come across them. There were only a few individuals in the places we had been up to now. (They would reappear further in the trip).
The car park was €6 (I thought it was meant to be more but it might be according to size). It is a must see spot. The weeks of rain we endured probably made it that much more impressive.
If we was ever in Scotland or Wales and it was raining we would always look for a waterfall. At least you were guaranteed water. We all thought there was no point in going to Bled if it was raining, as for the places we had not been on the way down it gave us an excuse to come back. So Plitvice it was.
It was a nice enough drive through the back roads of Croatia. We had chosen to avoid the motorway a) because we were greedy and b) to see more of the country, (but mainly a).
We picked the campsite in Grabovac that was about 10 miles past the waterfalls because there was a bus shuttle from the site.
On arrival we were told there was not many free pitches and were given 2 at the rear. When we got there someone was already on them. We had to traipse back and a different person gave us a few options. We just picked 2 together, they were all okay.
When we went back we inquired about the bus shuttle. It left about 9:15am which was too late for us. We had been told to get there early to avoid the thousands of Japanese tourists who get bussed in. Someone told us there was plenty of space to park our van, especially if we get there early so that's what we decided on.
There is a restaurant next door to the campsite and we had a meal here.The next day we were up and away for 7am and got to entrance no 1.
A short walk across to the entrance and €47 later (for 2) we were in.
There are a number of walks you can do depending on your level of fitness.
I'm not sure what I expected but the first water fall was Veliki Slap (big waterfall in Croatian funnily enough) was amazing. It was across a valley and there was already a trail of people walking on the boards.
The path winds down and then is replaced by boards. Sam found this really difficult to walk on due to the gaps, so bear this in mind if you have a dog.
The pathways continue for a mile or so until you get to a place near the lake with toilets and a cafe. From here you get a boat across to the other side where you continue the walk. Around every corner more and more waterfalls confront you. Just when you think there cannot be anymore there is another one.
At the end a bus takes you back to the start.
When we got back to the start in the early afternoon the paths were chokka.
We were glad we came so early. The Japanese did appear and soon caught up with us. I thought for some reason that the Japanese were very polite. They most definitely are not. They will push you out of the way to get their selfies. I got fed up of them very quickly. It was the first time we had come across them. There were only a few individuals in the places we had been up to now. (They would reappear further in the trip).
The car park was €6 (I thought it was meant to be more but it might be according to size). It is a must see spot. The weeks of rain we endured probably made it that much more impressive.
