11 From Plitvice lakes to Zvecaj via Ogulin
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RouteXpert Leonor Orban - Sr. RouteXpert
Last edit: 28-04-2021
Route Summary The route also chooses small roads, so you don't encounter many tourists or other traffic on the way. You can drive at your own pace and find the perfect driving lines on the winding roads.
Today's route offers few sights, partly due to the small roads that are sought. Fortunately, there is an interesting place on the route for culture lovers: Ogulin. This city is home to a wonderful heritage museum in a beautiful castle.
The drive from Plitvice to Zvecaj is an easy yet delightful drive back to the North. Little fuss and yet fun!
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Verdict
Duration
7h 13m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
200.05 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Today is actually a wonderfully relaxing day. Perhaps you looked up the crowds at the Plitvice lakes yesterday? Nature is overwhelming ... The hustle and bustle of tourism sometimes also. Today is characterized by tranquility. The route looks for smaller roads where possible. You encounter little traffic, which is a wonderful realization. You can mainly concentrate on the continuous increase in curves on your route. Due to the length of the route, you also have the opportunity to stop regularly and enjoy the view. The route takes you from Plitvice to Zvecaj, back North, not too far from the Slovenian border. It is a somewhat shorter route, which means that you can arrive at your end point in time. You can enjoy the pool and recharge your battery for the twelfth ride, a little longer than this ride.
Today you say goodbye to the Plitvice lakes. The route leads you with a “circle” around the lakes. Make no mistake, this tour does take an hour. The roads are small and winding and lead you through the Plitvice National Park. You soon notice that few tourists come to this part. The large crowd really visits the lakes from the East side. Here you have "the realm to yourself" and you can drive around at ease. Viewpoints are marked at a number of places, where you can see the lakes and waterfalls below.
It is not without reason that the National Park is on the list of UNESCO protected natural areas. A great diversity of wild animals lives in the park. Think of the brown bear, wolves, lynx, lizards and snakes. Who knows what will pop up your way along the way?
Once you have completed the tour, you will pass a beautiful terrace (rp 8) in Poljanak to take a break and chat about everything you have seen.
The route now continues further west. You wind through the woods. Keep in mind that on this stretch there are a number of unpaved roads on your route. These roads are usually easy to drive. The gravel road is well packed and has sufficient grip. Along the way you will occasionally come across signs that say "ne prelazite". Literally translated, this means "do not cross." Most likely this means not to leave the beaten track, because there may still be land mines in the forests. Keep this in mind if you stop along this way.
After another hour of driving you come back to a main road where you can also take a break (rp 10 Gacka dolina). From now on the route goes to the North and the journey towards the Slovenian border begins.
Soon the route turns off the main road again to find the small roads. You are now entering one of the many forest areas in this region. Along the way, the forests break open to make way for the small idyllic mountain villages.
Haven't had enough of unpaved trails today? Then you can make a small de-tour in the afternoon. Just after RP 13 you can deviate from the route by taking a small road to the right. Soon this road is unpaved and you drive with a nice curve towards the Northeast. To ensure that you return to the original route at RP 14, four POIs / Waypoints have been created where you can orient yourself. On the way you will encounter a number of intersections where it is important to make the right choice.
Today's route invites you to take regular breaks. In Ogulin (rp 16) you can, in addition to a terrace, also stretch your legs. You will find a number of special places here. you will have noticed when you entered: the Frankopan Castle. The castle was built around 1500 by order of the Croatian nobility Frankopan. Today the castle is a heritage museum where you can discover everything about mountaineering in this region, (historical) weapons and archaeological discoveries from the region. Don't forget to refuel in Ogulin. This is the last gas station directly on your route.
On the other side of the street, opposite the castle, you will see a viewpoint. Here you have a view of a huge gaping hole under the castle. The inhabitants of Ogulin are used to no different ... the city is built on a gigantic cave system. In the hole the Dobra river disappears. This river flows underground for a large part in order to come above ground again later on on your route and to guide you for part of the route. Obviously, this gaping hole also has a love story. The hole owes its name (Dulin Ponor) to a young lady from the 16th century who plunged into the abyss after hearing that her lover had been killed in battle. Lovingly, this hole is now called Dula's Abyss (Dulin Ponor).
With this in mind, the drive to the hotel begins. Along the way you will encounter the Dobra and you have a few wonderful turns to drive. Finally you will arrive at Hotel Zeleni Kut (rp 20), along the Mrežnica river. The hotel has a wonderful view and a pleasant swimming pool. Just rest and enjoy before tomorrow's long (-re) ride.
Today's route gets 4 stars. Nature is impressive, the roads are lovely and it is “easy” to enjoy the ride. You get a nice look at the nature parks in the interior of Croatia. It does not get the full 5 stars, because there are only a few sights along the way and you may encounter one (or a few times) gravel roads on your route.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Karlovac county
About this region
Karlovac County (Croatian: Karlovačka županija) is a county in central Croatia, with the administrative center in Karlovac.
The city of Karlovac is a fort from the times of the Military Frontier. It was built as a six-side star fort in the 16th century at the point of confluence of four rivers. The town blossomed in the 18th and 19th century after being made a free town, with the development of roads between Pannonian plains to the seaside, and waterways along the Kupa river. The city is making use of its crucial geostrategic point in Croatia.
The county itself extends towards the north to the water springs of Jamnica, and towards the south all the way down to the mountainous regions of Gorski Kotar and Lika, in particular to the Bjelolasica mountain which features the largest winter sport recreation center in the country.
Read more on Wikipedia
The city of Karlovac is a fort from the times of the Military Frontier. It was built as a six-side star fort in the 16th century at the point of confluence of four rivers. The town blossomed in the 18th and 19th century after being made a free town, with the development of roads between Pannonian plains to the seaside, and waterways along the Kupa river. The city is making use of its crucial geostrategic point in Croatia.
The county itself extends towards the north to the water springs of Jamnica, and towards the south all the way down to the mountainous regions of Gorski Kotar and Lika, in particular to the Bjelolasica mountain which features the largest winter sport recreation center in the country.
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Route Collections in this region Roundtrip Eastern Europe via Slovenia Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina
This route collection builds up to one great adventure in Eastern Europe. All routes combined make a 19 day roundtrip through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia Herzegovina. It aims to show the beauty of Eastern Europe, displaying how relaxed it can be to ride here. Quiet roads, friendly people, good food and impressive nature and culture will be your host throughout the trip.
As there’s so much to see and experience along the route, you might want to plan a longer trip than the 19 days. What about staying an extra day at Lake Bled (Slovenia)? Or taking some time in Zadar (Croatia) to marvel at the old city and its beautiful sea view. Or what about the idea to stay an extra day in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to soak up the coffee culture and the city’s atmosphere? Or go hiking at the Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)? Or do a via Ferrata in Logarska Dolina (Slovenia)? Or … The options are too numerous to mention them all.
And off course, travelling through the Black Forest, the Alps and Dolomites is always a beautiful experience. Along your way you’ll have plenty opportunities to enjoy impressive sights, both natural and cultural.
The length of the routes are long enough so you can cover distances, as well as spend time to stop and enjoy natural and cultural highlights. Please do note that the routes may demand solid riding skills and a good condition. The main roads in Eastern Europe are definitely improving, but for this collection a large number of smaller scenic roads have been selected to make the riding more adventurous. Please be aware that these smaller roads can be in poor condition as they are not so frequently used and maintained.
As there’s so much to see and experience along the route, you might want to plan a longer trip than the 19 days. What about staying an extra day at Lake Bled (Slovenia)? Or taking some time in Zadar (Croatia) to marvel at the old city and its beautiful sea view. Or what about the idea to stay an extra day in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to soak up the coffee culture and the city’s atmosphere? Or go hiking at the Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)? Or do a via Ferrata in Logarska Dolina (Slovenia)? Or … The options are too numerous to mention them all.
And off course, travelling through the Black Forest, the Alps and Dolomites is always a beautiful experience. Along your way you’ll have plenty opportunities to enjoy impressive sights, both natural and cultural.
The length of the routes are long enough so you can cover distances, as well as spend time to stop and enjoy natural and cultural highlights. Please do note that the routes may demand solid riding skills and a good condition. The main roads in Eastern Europe are definitely improving, but for this collection a large number of smaller scenic roads have been selected to make the riding more adventurous. Please be aware that these smaller roads can be in poor condition as they are not so frequently used and maintained.
View Route Collection