​Risnjak National Park

Risnjak National Park is one of the places where we can witness the efforts of nature, embodied in a gentle butterfly, to survive the constant changes forced upon by us, humans. Risnjak is located in Gorski kotar, the most forested area of Croatia. Alps and Dinarides are meeting here. The fruit of that love is a significantly different flora from the surrounding area. The National Park covers an area of about 63.5 km2 and occupies the central part of the Risnjak and Snjeznik massif, including the spring and upper flow of Kupa River. The lowest point is 290 meters above sea level in the Kupa valley, and the highest is at 1528 meters of the highest peak of Veliki Risnjak. Risnjak was proclaimed National Park in 1999 due to its exceptional biodiversity. Meadows and lawns of Risnjak boasts with 11 species of endangered butterflies, including apollo whose population here counts only forty individuals. Risnjak is not only attractive to mountaineers and collectors, but also to all of you who draw your inner peace out of centuries-old forms and appearances which the magical nature uses to demonstrate both, its strength and fragility at the same time. The paths cutting up the landscape of the Park are ways of respect and humility before the enchanting beauty and harmony of flora and fauna at the intersection of two mountain massifs. Everything is entirely left to natural processing here.
Our role is to walk passionately through Risnjak and not to leave any traces behind. Rent accommodation in Fuzine or Delnice or in one of the surrounding villages and visit the silent and fairytale valley of Leska at the entrance to the Park, the Lazac meadow, Segine, 200 meters deep cave of friaries, and walk along the karst slopes and peaks of the mountain. Go through the thick magic forest of Smrekovac and rest on the White Rocks among stone holes framed by forests that are older than 1000 years. Brown bear, wolf, and a dove still live here. However, their population is so much reduced, that meeting with this beautiful animal means only that you are the chosen one. You'll feel like you are the chosen one leaving Risnjak National Park, because of happiness which will follow you due to acknowledge of the miraculous power of nature and the comforting insight that there are still such places on Earth existing, places where human persistence and stupidity is defeated by the fragile power of this miraculous planet.