RISNJAK NATIONAL PARK
The
spacious beech and fir-tree areas (Abieti - Fagetum dinaricum), the
impressive stone steep blocks covered by fir-trees, the great number
of endemic protected species, particularly in the pre-mountain belt
as well as the «mushrooms’ treasury” (some fifty species), are just
a part of this stratified climatic-zone community. Some thirty
mammal species, all the big European predators, numerous species of
birds (out of 97 species, 72 nest in this area), insects, water
insects, invertebrates, butterflies, fish, reptiles – all of them
make up the extremely rich animal life in this region. The Risnjak
NP area (64 km2) is divided into two zones: the strict protection
and the target protection zone, providing in either case full
protection from activities of any kind. Everything is left to
natural processes and activity. A wooded area with a lot of natural
attractions, mountain ridges with typical Dinaric features and
wonderful belvederes, more than thirty specific plant types, about
ten different wood associations and subassociations, distinctive
phenomena of sink-holes vegetation, various meadow communities,
varied animal life, instructive path – all these and much more make
up the Risnjak National Park. The bee-line distance from the Risnjak
peak to the sea is 15 km, and to the Kupa source, which is also part
of the Park, 8 km. The severe, fresh, mountain and continental
climate meets the mild Mediterranean one here. These climatic
variations are also part of the features of which Risnjak is so
rich. Here the greatest volume of precipitation in Croatia has been
measured (annual average of 3904 m), in Lividraga (939 m). The
sink-holes’ microclimate, with warmer upper parts and cold lower
parts (in the course of the year) is a world unto itself.
Another location worth visiting is the quiet and picturesque Leska
valley (679 m), extending from the entrance to the Park, then the
Viljska sink-hole (200 m deep), the Lazac meadow (1064 m) and Šegina
(966 m). It is also worth passing through the karst slopes and
Risnjak peaks, all rich in natural attractions (Veliki Risnjak, 1528
m, Sjeverni, 1428 m and ju ni 1446 m Mali Risnjak), passing through
the dense, vast wood - Smrekovac (over 1000 m), stopping at Bijele
stijene, a world of stone formations surrounded by woods in which
there is a 1200 year old yew-tree. A specific part of the National
Park is represented by the junction of peaks around Snježnik (1506
m), that, according to many, is one of the most beautiful belvederes
in Croatia. The grassy, conical peak of Guslica (1490 m), Planina
(1426 m), Lazačka glavica (1426 m) and the wood landscape of
Fratrovi dolci are part of this area. The northern part of the
National Park belongs to the Kupa valley. The Kupa source (321 m) is
an impressive hydrologic phenomenon and a monument of nature. With
its unusual, deep blue-greenish colour in the deep cutting (84 m) at
the foot of Gavranova stijena below the peak of Kupeški vrh (715 m),
it offers an unrepeatable experience of beauty and peace. An
interesting geomorphological and hydrological phenomenon is also
represented by the torrent in the Sušica valley and the Krašićevica
stream. In terms of natural value, the valley of Kupa’s upper
stream, downstream from the source to the Čabranka confluence, is a
first-class micro-entity, known also as «the butterflies’ valley».
As many as 74 butterfly species have been found here.
The Risnjak peak and the mountain cottage of Josip Schlosser
Klekovski can be reached from several directions: - from Crni Lug
(main entrance) through the Horvatova staza path, or a path leading
through Leska to Medvjeđa vrata and further on along the Mali južni
Risnjak - from Gornje Jelenje (to Vilje 7 km)) through Medvjeđa
vrata (1280 m) and the Mali južni Risnjak, - from Mrzle Vodice
through Suha Rečina to Medvjeđa vrata, - from Platak through
Snježnik via the Roman road through Cajtig or through Srebrna vrata
to the Lazac meadow - from Gerovo from the Lazac meadow From Platak,
two paths lead to the Snježnik peak. They both start with the Roman
road (towards Cajtig) to separate thereafter, one leading through
the gorge, and the other one across the ridge. The source of the
Kupa river may be visited by taking the path from the village of
Razloge or from Kupari i.e Hrvatsko.
We point out:
The instructive path Leska leads around
the grassy valley surrounded by the wood and is some 4200 metres
long. It is also possible to visit (recommended for children)
sixteen natural and cultural sights: the socalled vjetroizvale, i.e.
changes in terrain structure caused by trees struck down by strong
winds, sink-holes, alpine meadows, game feeding-sites, homesteads,
sources, «live stumps», beech and fir-tree woods. Organized animal
watching!
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Walking time:
- Instructive path Leska one
hour and 45 minutes |
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Risnjak
National Park phone 051/836 133, 836 246 www.risnjak.hr np-risnjak@ri.t-com.hr Town of Delnice Tourism Office phone 051/812 156 www.tz-delnice.hr tz-delnice@gorskikotar.com |
