More pics and videos on Facebook page. You can view my first posts here at the BLOG page.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Impressions by guest writer Tom Byrne. Specifics by me.
What does it mean to “experience” something? Making the choice to walk the trails of Plitvice National Park was a thoroughly enchanting one. The first half of the 9 km experience was almost alone. We saw maybe 20 people during the entire Upper Lakes region (that’s like being in St Peter’s Basilica with 2 other people ) so this sacred place was peaceful, engaging all the senses. I’m not certain awe is a sense but it should be..it is what you feel here.
The hand hewn boards, made of Chestnut limbs, comprise the path that weaves and winds over the lake water surface. It is clearly man made but appears almost to be a natural part of the geological wonder. We’re brought closer to some of the countless Falls, so loud that speaking is impractical..and unnecessary. Mist hits your face and you notice the next gradual climb is directly over, nearly through a waterfall.
This is engagement. And the park forces one to experience this way. There are no real viewpoints. You can’t drive through it. There are no shortcuts. You must go “into” this UNESCO site on foot, be enveloped by it. It makes you feel unique just for being there. And we left with a feeling of wellbeing; only a few places can still do that I think.
The slideshow/video below truncates some of the images. I’ll upload some of the stills below.
Unreal. Otherworldly. Mystical.
We arrived just after 11 AM at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The attendant suggested we take the H- path, which involves a train (more like a 3 segmented bus) and a boat ride across one of the lakes. This is the best way to see all the waterfalls in a one day visit.
Note: Take the H-path!
Then we were told the H-path takes 4-6 hours. And encouraged to keep a good pace, since the last bus back to the parking lot leaves at 4 PM. Feeling a tad anxious, but Okay, we can do this!
The “train” drops us and one other hiker at the upper part of the park and our 9km walk begins. We start on a meandering wooden path that stretches across the lake, eliciting the sense you are walking on the lake. The path brings us down in elevation while crossing back and forth over the lakes, getting glimpses of large waterfalls in the distance and trickling streams up close. Winding right next to and directly over cascading water, the wooden walkways descend from the Upper to the Lower Lakes where we take a boat to continue our journey toward the Big Falls.
All this time, we only encounter a handful of other hikers. When we arrive at the Lower Lakes there are more tourists, since these paths are more accessible. Even stopping to take video and photos in the impossible effort to capture the majesty of this park, we finished by 3:30. We’re left with a profound sense of accomplishment in completing the trek and the visual treasure by hiking the H-path.
Not in competition, but in harmony, the wooden pathways mimic the shape and flow of the water. Seemingly hovering over the lakes, and sometimes into the waterfalls, the manmade wooden paths are just as impressive as the lakes. We ponder the methods taken and surely the philosophy and artistry of their construction – not just to allow access, but to enhance by emulation of flow. I have spent the last couple of nights googling to uncover who designed and built the pathways, but I have not been able to find anything mentioning the architect/mastermind/artist. If you have any information about the creation of these pathways, please let me know!
Though I was there 33 years ag, Lake Plitvice is still one of the most beautiful and peacefulnplaces I have ever visited.
I remember walking on water 🌸
We’re happy to report it’s still beautiful. ❤️
Oh wow! Great write up Tom… I felt like I was there.
Of all the places you have visited I now want to see this one, and it is on my bucket list. I especially loved the video and the final picture of you and Julianne gazing at the view while holding hands❤️
Julie, you will love Plitvice Lakes when you go. I know you love waterfalls and hiking, so this place is perfect. Thanks, that is one of my favorite photos too. We happened upon a young couple seated in that very spot, enjoying the view. I offered to take their picture, since it was such a nice shot. Of course they returned the favor. Moral of the story: ALWAYS offer to take someone elses’s photo 😎
Wow. I loved the video and your description of the park. Makes me so jealous! It looked like the perfect time of year to be there.
Thanks Brenda! It was really nice with all the autumn colors highlighting the park’s beauty. That said, we were lucky to have a dry day, as it was raining the day before and the day after our visit. The brochures say it’s good to go in the spring, since the waterfalls are gushing up a storm, but weather could also factor in. Of course winter could bring snow and frozen waterfalls, which would be amazing to see but the pathways might be treacherous. Summer, of course, is full of tourists and the waterfalls aren’t gushing as much.
If I had to pick a time to go again, I think I’d opt for late October or early November (again) and maybe stay a couple nights, in case rain is an issue. With most travel, weather can pick up your carefully crafted plans and throw them in the Vita-mix and you end up with some kind of smoothie that might not be tasty, but maybe it is!
Oh Tom…what delicate light you shine on this subject…like gently pulling back the covers on a newborn…so very, very precious, yet one cannot resist a stealth glance. Your reflections are so masterfully written. You are a treasure❣️ Thank you again for including us ❣️
My favorite from this grouping is the last…of the both of you…with the falls cascading downward in the distance…between you. So many amazing photos.
I always knew you could walk on water Tom Byrne❣️🤣
With gratitude,
😘💚🍁
😘💜🍂
You are as sweet as any Croatian treat, Kath$. So pleased you are following along with us.
so glad to read you and feel you surrounded by so Much beauty and in Owe
besos y abrazos to both