56,000 square kilometers (21,634 square miles) of the Croatian territory includes eight national parks with a total area of 994 square kilometers (384 square miles), of which 235 square kilometers (91 square miles) are marine areas. These national parks are all located in the Karst regions. The term “karst” is derived from the Kras plateau, a limestone borderline plateau region between southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy. It is part of a larger area now known as the Dinaric Karst.
Experiencing the Diversified Karst Topography in the Croatian National Parks
The Dinaric Karst denotes an area within the Dinaric Mountain System (also known as the Dinaric Alps or Dinarides) which consists mainly of carbonate sediments such as Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic Limestones and Dolomites. The uninterrupted belt of karst in the Dinarides runs from Italy and Austria in the north-west through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro to northern Albania in the south-east. Covering a distance of about 700 km, the Dinaric Karst has an average width of about 80-160 km on the land.
The Dinaric Karst regions within Croatia include mountain ranges like Risnjak and Velika Kapela near Risnjak National Park, Velebit near Paklenica and Northern Velebit National Parks, Plješevica and Mala Kapela near Plitvice Lakes (Plitvicka Jezera) National Park, and Dinara near Krka National Park. The Croatian coast is also characterized by submerged karst landscapes which are abundant in archipelagos, marine caves, cold sea caves and pits, submerged springs, karst estuaries, submerged river canyons, submerged tuffa barriers, marine lakes, and bare karst in the sea.
Enjoying the Natural, Cultural and Historic Heritage of the Croatian National Parks
The eight national parks in Croatia are distinguished by three different kinds of landscapes. Risnjak, Paklenica and Northern Velebit National Parks are in the verdant karst mountains, where erosion has created natural caves, pits, underground stream caves, rifts, canyons and strangely shaped landforms. Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, and Krka National Park are particularly rich in travertine cascades, lakes and waterfalls. Kornati, Mljet and Brijuni National Parks are composed of islands and islets indented with marine caves and cliffs.
In addition to their natural beauty, the eight national parks show great diversity of habitats leading to rich and distinctive floral and fauna within each of them. Human activities dating back to the prehistoric times often left important archeological sites, Roman ruins, medieval fortresses and historic monuments within the boundaries of these national parks. The eight national parks have become the unique places to experience the natural, cultural and historic heritage of Croatia.
Hiking is usually not the only way to explore the Croatian national parks. Swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing, recreational fishing, canoeing, rock climing, mountain biking and camping are allowed dependent on individual park regulations. Visitors may even stay within or near the national parks for more than a day trip to slowly and fully enjoy everything Nature has to offer.
The Eight National Parks in Croatia
Plitvice Lakes (Plitvicka Jezera) National Park
Northern Velebit National Park
Mljet National Park
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Valeria Teo - Valeria Teo is a writer and an independent traveler. Her passion for travel has taken her to nearly 30 countries since 1992. Besides being ...
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