How the Plitvice Lakes hiking routes work
The marked Plitvice Lakes hiking routes are called programs. Each one has a letter, a start at one of the two main entrances and a fixed mix of walking, a short boat crossing and the panoramic vehicle. You follow the markings on your own. A program is not a guided tour, and nobody has to join a guide.
The list is not a complete alphabet. The programs are A, B, C, E, F, H, K1 and K2. There are no programs D, G, I or J. The long loop "K" comes as two routes with different lengths, K1 with 16.5 km and K2 with 17.5 km, so check which one you mean.
Entrance 1 (Rastovača) is the northern start and is shown in green. Entrance 2 (Hladovina) is the southern start and is shown in orange. Your ticket covers the electric boat and the panoramic vehicle as far as your program uses them. If you still need a ticket, see the Plitvice Lakes tickets page.
Programs A to K compared
Length, usual time and what is included on the route.
| Program | Start | Length | Usual time | Area and transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Entrance 1 | 3.5 km | 2–3 h | Lower lakes and Veliki slap, on foot only |
| B | Entrance 1 | 4.0 km | 3–4 h | Lower lakes and Veliki slap, electric boat over Kozjak, panoramic vehicle |
| C | Entrance 1 | 8.0 km | 4–6 h | Upper and lower lakes, boat, return mostly by panoramic vehicle |
| E | Entrance 2 | 5.1 km | 2–3 h | Upper lakes to Proščansko jezero, short boat ride, return by panoramic vehicle |
| F | Entrance 2 | 4.6 km | 3–4 h | Lower lakes and Veliki slap, Kozjak boat, panoramic vehicle, steep switchbacks |
| H | Entrance 2 | 8.9 km | 4–6 h | Upper and lower lakes, panoramic vehicle and Kozjak boat |
| K1 | Entrance 1 | 16.5 km | 6–8 h | Long walking loop through both lake groups, Tomićevo pogledalo, short electric boat crossing |
| K2 | Entrance 2 | 17.5 km | 6–8 h | Long walking loop from the southern entrance, short electric boat crossing |
For program C the time is 4–6 hours. Plan for the longer end. K1 and K2 do not use the panoramic vehicle, so the whole distance is on foot apart from the short boat crossing. For most first-time visitors with a full day, H or K1 give a good overview. If you have 2 to 3 hours, A or E fit.
Our pick: a route with a guide
Our take: entry and a guided walk on the Lower Lakes, the Upper Lakes or both.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Plitvice Lakes tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips with live prices and availability.
Choosing your program
Match the route to your time, your legs and your entrance.
Two or three hours
Program A is a walk of 3.5 km on the lower lakes with no boat. Program E from Entrance 2 covers 5.1 km of the upper lakes and ends with the panoramic vehicle. Both leave room for a photo stop or two.
The Big Waterfall →Half a day
B and F both visit the lower lakes and Veliki slap and take 3 to 4 hours. B starts at Entrance 1 and uses the boat and the panoramic vehicle. F starts at Entrance 2 and has steep switchbacks near the waterfall.
A full day
C, H, K1 and K2 cover both lake groups. C and H are 8.0 and 8.9 km. K1 and K2 are the long loops of 16.5 and 17.5 km and need 6 to 8 hours of walking, so start early and bring food and water.
Which entrance
Pick the entrance that starts your program, not the one that looks more convenient. The programs of Entrance 1 are A, B, C and K1. The programs of Entrance 2 are E, F, H and K2.
Entrance 1 or 2 →Two days
If one day feels short, a two-day ticket is valid on 2 consecutive days and needs a name. In 2026 an adult pays €15 in January to March and November to December, €39 in April, May and October, and €60 in June to September.
Ticket prices →Upper lakes in winter
The upper lakes are normally closed in winter. That rules out full E, C, H and K rounds in the form described above.
Plitvice in winter →What the routes are like on the ground
Much of the walking is on wooden boardwalks and paths between the lakes, and travertine barriers form the steps between them. The boat and the panoramic vehicle are part of the route design. Several programs use them to cross a lake or to bring you back.
Program F has steep switchbacks near the waterfall. Program A leads through the canyon back to Entrance 1. For the longer loops K1 and K2, add time for the short electric boat crossing, and do not start late in the day.
Opening times, last ticket sales and the boat and vehicle timetable change with the season. Read the Plitvice Lakes opening hours before you fix your start time.
Rules on the trail
The park keeps them simple.
Stay on the marked paths
Leaving the markings is not allowed. The boardwalks protect the travertine and the plants around it.
No swimming
Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the park, however warm the day.
Drones, bikes and fires
Drones for aerial photos, bicycles, camping, fires and fishing are not allowed.
Animals and plants
Do not feed or disturb animals and do not pick plants. Dogs must be on a leash. Take your rubbish with you.
Accessibility
Not every route is suitable for wheelchairs. Park staff can recommend suitable paths when you arrive.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that go with your route.
Plitvice Lakes hiking routes: frequently asked questions
Which hiking route suits a first visit?
That depends on your time. With a full day, H from Entrance 2 or C from Entrance 1 cover both lake groups on 8.0 to 8.9 km. With only 2 to 3 hours, A or E are the shorter choices.
Do I need a guide to walk the programs?
No. You can follow the markings on your own. A guide is optional for organised groups.
How long is the longest route?
K2 is 17.5 km and K1 is 16.5 km, each with 6 to 8 hours of walking time. Both include only a short electric boat crossing.
Where are programs D, G, I and J?
They do not exist. The programs are A, B, C, E, F, H, K1 and K2.
Can I swim in the lakes?
No. Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the park.
Is this the official site of the park?
No. This is an independent guide. For tickets and operating rules, the park itself is the authority, so check the current timetable before you go.