Today we headed to Plitvice National Park in central Croatia. It is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia, founded in 1949.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

We were here in mid-November with daytime temps in the 40s and a layer of fog that didn’t let up all day. So thick jackets and real shoes for all instead of our usual hiking gear of flip flops.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Parking was free in the off-season and the lots were almost empty. Entrance fees were reduced to 60 kuna ($8.89) an adult and 30 kuna ($4.44) for kids 7 to 18 years of age.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

The first view point isn’t looking too good for us. Ha. Thankfully it clears up a lot once we get closer to the lakes.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. The visible sixteen lakes appear due to confluences of small rivers and have natural travertine dams. 

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Dan and I actually visited Plitvice back in the summer of 2008. Such a different experience 11 years later here in the off season. Falling leaves, bare trees, thick fog, cold temps and only a few handfuls of people around.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Careful hiking on the wet wooden paths.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Only one of the four hiking trails were open for us today. The other three were undergoing maintenance.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Hi. It’s us. Thanks for the photo, Ava.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Hi, fish.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Woah. Lots of fish.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

We didn’t see any mammals on our mid-day adventure but we did see great tits (yes, it’s an actual bird name), eurasian nuthatches and these mallards.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Luka watching the ducks.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

The hike that was open today included a trail, boat ride and a tram ride as well.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

First on the boat.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Saying hello to the ducks again.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Luka giving the evil eye to the other passengers who were barking at the ducks and feeding them gummy bears. “Not cool, people. Not. Cool.”

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Thanks for being a good junior ranger wherever we go, buddy.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

You know it’s cold when Dan busts out his beanie.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Waiting for the tram to pick us up.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Hurry. Up. We. Are. Freezing.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Didn’t expect a brand new Unimog to pick us up. Nice!

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Found ourselves back in the dense fog while walking down a trail that will hopefully get us back to our van.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Mila pretending to be Santa Claus.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Quick selfie so we don’t fall too far behind on the hike because with this fog we might lose everyone.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Oh no.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Found them. Phew.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Only ones parked in the oversized vehicle parking lot.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Off-season misty fall autumn blog.

Here is a little video I created for Instagram stories that I will share here as well. It will eventually get replaced with the official vlog Dan has yet to create.

Thanks for following along on our adventures,
Marlene


0 Comments

Leave a Reply