Retreat to National Park Risnjak

Take the Leska educational path, which is located inside the National Park Risnjak. The Leska educational path is a gentle and an arranged circular path enriched with educational panels. Its starting point and end are not far from the headquarters of the National Park in Bela Vodica. Everyone can enjoy a hike because it is suitable even for children, the elderly, and people of poorer health and physical condition. It leads you through a lush forest, across meadows, along a stream, and through the village of Leska. Educational panels set up contain interesting information about flora and fauna, forest communities, and natural characteristics of Gorski Kotar.

Head towards the source of the river Kupa. The National Park says it all in one sentence: “The Kupa River source is one of many unsolved karst riddles, one of the most powerful, most extended and deepest Croatian wellsprings”. The hiking trail “Razloge – the source of the Kupa” is the most popular trail that leads to the source because it is the shortest but also the steepest. It takes about 30 – 45 minutes in one way.

The starting point is the village of the same name Razloge, where the beginning of the trail is marked with a sign. After a few minute’s walk through the meadows, you reach a wider forest road that descends steeply for about half an hour and in bends to a dry riverbed. It will soon be extended along the Kupa, where there is a rest area, wooden table, and benches, as well as a registration book and a mountaineering stamp. The source is only a few minutes away.

Butterflies occupy a very important place in the valley of the river Kupa, that’s why the whole valley is called “Butterfly Valley”. You will surely remember it forever because you will experience one of the most beautiful scenes: a multitude of carefree and playful butterflies, protected in their own untouched nature.