Risnjak National Park

Risnjak National Park sits in the Gorski Kotar highlands between Rijeka and the interior, a mountain massif of forest, karst and alpine meadow named after the ris, the Eurasian lynx that still lives, in small numbers, in these woods. Protected since 1953, it is one of the quieter Croatian national parks and a real escape from the summer coast.

The park is a hiking destination, with trails up to the Risnjak peak, to the nearby Snježnik meadow, and to the source of the Kupa river, one of the cleanest rivers in the country, which gushes straight out of a karst pool at the foot of the mountain. The forest is dense beech and fir, and the air is noticeably alpine.

Risnjak is easy to reach from Rijeka or the Zagreb to coast motorway, and its altitude makes it a genuine winter option as well as a cool summer one. The lynx itself is famously hard to see, but deer, chamois and a long list of birds are common.

For photographers, the Kupa spring and the open meadow views on Snježnik are the highlights. Bring mountain footwear and check the weather, the massif catches cloud and rain even when the coast is clear.

Every spot here is mapped and verified. Share this guide if it helped plan your trip.