NATIONAL PARKS

Proscansko lake, Plitvice Lakes national park

Islands make three out of eight national parks in Croatia: Mljet is on one, Brijuni is made of fourteen, Kornati of a hundred. A paradise for sea kayaking, diving, sailing and fishing. Bikers will enjoy discovering Mljet the most.

Risnjak and Paklenica National Parks are in the mountains and great for hiking and free climbing. Kupa river flows out of Risnjak, and Paklenica canyons are a part of Velebit mountain and a nature park, “the father” of Krupa and Zrmanja rivers. Plitvice – the World heritage site - and Krka national parks are known for rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The road around 16 Plitvice lakes and countless waterfalls is absolutely the best one-day bicycle route in Europe. Car and truck traffic is diverted away from lakes so the asphalt road is reserved for bikers.

Canoeing below Roski waterfall, Krka river national park

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?
Electric motor boats are used to transport visitors on the biggest one of Plitvice Lakes. But, this national park management does not allow CANOES, with the argument of “nature protection” as excuse. But there are SKI LIFTS and a TENNIS COURT in the same park!

The management of Krka River National Park does not allow canoes either. But, they use diesel motor ships to transport their visitors. Moreover, it has banned small private taxi boat businesses to make sure all visitors will use the park owned ships.

The main island of Brijuni Islands National Park is great for bicycling but one is not allowed to bring one’s own bike. Sea kayaking is not allowed at all and the access to some of the islands is prohibited. The islands will develop ELITE tourism and for that reason have GOLF and TENNIS courses!

Bike tour around Plitvice lakes - the best in Europe

Would you like to get involved? Riverfree and Atlas Adventures have been trying to change this attitude for years but it seems that nobody listens. Please comment and e-mail us – your comments will be forwarded to national park and government authorities.