Walking in Risnjak National Park
The Risnjak National Park (Narodni Park Risnjak) is located near the village of Crni Lug, as shown on the map, in the Gorski Katar Mountains. These Gorski Katar Mountains (that literally translates to “wooded district”) are a spectacular landscape of green river valleys and forested hillsides and is a popular summer hiking destination.
The main entrance to Risnjak National Park is 1km west of the village of Crni Lug and it provides a wide range of walking opportunities with many paths and trails. The main interest for walkers and hikers is the peak of Veliki Risnjak which is 1,528m high. From the park entrance it takes about 3 hours each way to walk to the top of Veliki Risnjak. There is even a mountain hut just 100m below the summit of Veliki Risnjak that is called Schlosser’s mountain hut.
Risnjak National Park also has many other peaks that are great places for walkers and hikers, with 7 peaks over 1,300m high. These are Snježnik (1,505m high), Gornji Medvejci (1,461m high), Jelenc (1,442m high), Lazačka glavica (1,426m high), Planina (1,425m high), Obruč (1,376m high), as well as Veliki Risnjak.
Map of the Risnjak National Park showing the peaks of Veliki Risnjak and Snježnik
Not all the paths and trails in the Risnjak National Park go to the top of a mountain. Near the park entrance at Crni Lug there is an educational path called Leski that is a 4.4km circular path. Another popular hiking trail is to follow the Kupa River Valley that is considered the most beautiful area of the Risnjak National Park and is a very picturesque valley. The Risnjak National Park is also popular with cyclists and mountain bikers, and it is even possible to hire bikes and helmets in the park.
Risnjak National Park also has a great variety of wildlife and over 4,000 plant species in a relatively small area. The wildlife includes lynxes, leaps, dears, eagles, brown bears, wolves, wild cats, wild boar, as well as 500 species of butterfly.
To properly explore the Risnjak National Park a good map is required. The Risnjak National Park Map covers all the major peaks including Veliki Risnjak and Snježnik, and shows lots of walking paths and trails. The scale of this Risnjak National Park map is 1:25,000 and it is available to buy from our shop.
The Walks and Treks in Croatia guidebook covers 27 varied walks across Croatia including Risnjak National Park and the Gorski Katar Mountains, and is available to buy from our shop.