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 National parks

 There are eight national parks in Croatia:                                                                
1. Brijuni
2. Risnjak
3. Northern Velebit
4. Plitvice Lakes
5. Paklenica
6. Kornati
7. Krka
8. Mljet

 Brijuni                                                                   

 Brijuni (Brioni) National Park is located south-west of Istria, the biggest Croatian peninsula. 3 km wide channel of Fažana separates Brijuni islands from Istria. Fažana is a small town near Pula. Boats to Brijuni leave from the port of Fažana on a regular basis. Brijuni islands consist of 14 islands and islets covering an area of 7.42 km2.

The Brijuni National Park spreads over a surface of 33.9 km2. The length of the coastline of all the islands is 46.8 km. The two biggest islands are Veliki Brijun ("Great Brijun") and Mali Brijun ("Small Brijun"). Other island in the national park are St. Mark, Gaz, Okrugljak, Supin, Supinić, Galija, Grunj, Vanga (Krasnica), Pusti (Madona), Vrsar, St. Jerome and Kozada. Geologically, Brijuni are the continuation of western Istria. The depth of the channel of Fažana being only 12m, Brijuni were until a few thousand years ago an integral part of Istria. Beautiful meadows and forests cover the islands. On Veliki Brijun exotic animals roam freely all over the island. An olive tree on the island has an estimated age of over 1600 years. In the past, these islands were a favorite holiday resort for the wealthy Austro-Hungarian elite. Brijuni became President Tito's favorite residence in which he entertained and met many of the world leaders of the time. Many celebrities like Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were guests on Brijuni. Tito's stay on Brijuni was always well documented and is today illustrated in photographs in the "Tito on Brijuni" exhibition in the Brijuni museum. There are no cars on the island but many of the sites can be visited with a tourist train. These sites include the Byzantine Castrum and the Roman villa from the 1st century.

Risnjak                                                                   

Risnjak National Park is located in Gorski Kotar, which is a mostly mountainous region of western Croatia, covered with wood. Risnjak lies in the immediate vicinity of the Adriatic Sea, 15 km north-east from Rijeka. It spreads over an area of 63,5 km². It includes the central part of Risnjak ("Lynx mountain") and Snježnik ("Snow mountain") massifs and the upper flow of river Kupa (with its source). Although Risnjak is not too high (its highest peak, Veliki Risnjak, has only 1528 m), it's a great climatic barrier between coastal and continental parts of Croatia. Climatic influence from the Adriatic Sea (the nearby Kvarner Bay), the continental weather and the harsh alpine climate collide in this area, determining the climate of Risnjak region: warm summers (average temperature 20°C), rainy springs and autumns and cold winters with lots of snow (sometimes up to 4,5 m). Risnjak is a habitat for many animal species: bears, lynxes, wolves, deer and others. The most attractive walking path in the national park is "Leska" - on the altitude of 700 m, 4200 m long. The time needed for a tour is about 2 hours. The entrance to Risnjak National Park is located in Crni lug.

Northern Velebit                                                  

Northern Velebit National Park encompasses the most attractive parts of the largest mountain chain in Croatia - Velebit. Its surface is 109 km².Velebit Mountain is 150 km long, with 30 peaks higher than 1300 m. Although Northern Velebit and Paklenica are classed as national parks, the whole Velebit is a nature park. The special reservations Hajdučki Kukovi and Rožanski Kukovi are located in the center of the national park. A meteorological station is located at the 1676 m high peak Zavižan. The primary destination for speleologists is Lukina Jama in Hajdučki Kukovi, a 1392 m deep hole. The cave system Cerovačke Pećine consists of three caves: upper - 1295 m, middle - 390 m and lower cave - 2682 m long.

Plitvice Lakes                                                       

Plitvice Lakes National Park consists of 16 lakes. Plitvice Lakes are located in the region Lika, between mountains Mala Kapela and Plješivica, covering an area of 300 km². Plitvice Lakes are divided in two groups, the upper lakes and the lower lakes, spread over a total distance of 8 km. The highest lake is Prošćansko at 639 m and the lowest Novakovica Brod at 503 m (the altitude of the national park varies between 400 and 1280 m). The upper lakes are surrounded with deep forest and interconnected by a series of waterfalls (the biggest waterfall being Plitvice, 78 m high). The climate of Plitvice Lakes is alpine, but nevertheless the water temperature in Lakes Prošćansko and Kozjak (46 m deep) can reach 24°C in summer. In December and January the lakes are frozen. Various creeks flow into the lakes and river Korana flows out of Plitvice Lakes. Lakes and creeks are rich with fish and crabs. Plitvice Lakes are populated by bears, wolves, deer and rare bird species. There are numerous trails on which to walk and hike.

Paklenica                                                                

Paklenica National Park is a part of the most spectacular mountain chain in Croatia - Velebit. It's located southern of its highest peak, near the coastal city Starigrad. It extends on 95 km², from the Adriatic coast up to the highest peaks of Velebit. Paklenica consists of two canyons: Velika and Mala Paklenica ("Big and Small Paklenica"). Canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica are vertically cut into the massive of the Velebit Mountain in the lengths of 14 and 12 km. Creeks bearing the same names run in these canyons. Black pine forests cover the area around the sources of the creeks. Beautiful gravel beaches exist where Velika and Mala Paklenica flow into the Adriatic Sea. A 500 m high and 7 km long plateau separates Velika Paklenica from Mala Paklenica. The steep sides of the canyons are up to 400 m high. Paklenica has an extremely rich flora with 700 species, 35 of them endemic. The fauna is also very diverse: 80 species of butterflies, 30 species of amphibians and reptiles, more than 200 bird species (peregrine falcon nests in canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica) and 50 mammal species (like bears, deer and foxes). A paved road leads from Starigrad-Paklenica to the entrance to the national park. After the entrance a narrow road continues for another 2 km through the Velika Paklenica canyon and ends at a parking area. From here an easy 9 km trail leads to the mountaineer house (550 m). The trail leads through the canyon bordered with steep cliffs - a paradise for numerous rock-climbers. There are around 400 different climbing sites in Paklenica. Specific regulations exist for hill climbers to protect the area. At the time of tense relations between USSR and Yugoslavia (1950s) tunnels have been built in the canyon wall (the entrance doors to them can be seen on several spots on the left side of the canyon). Velika Paklenica ends with a serpentine ascend after which the trail continues through the green forest. To the right side of the trail there is Velika Paklenica creek. A path leads right, below an up to the Anica-kuk, the peak above a vertical cliff (some photos that can be seen below are made on Anica-kuk, 713 m). After a while another trail separates and mounts to the left, climbing to the Manita Cave (at 670 m) - the most interesting of all caves in Paklenica National Park. It's rich with stalactites and 175 m long. The main ("tourist") trail continues through the countryside to the mountaineer house (well equipped for 40-50 persons). Numerous fresh water sources exist along the trail. For those having alpinist experience there are numerous trails, mostly quite difficult. Vaganski Vrh (1757 m), the highest peak in Paklenica National Park, can be reached from the mountaineer house in about 5 hours (shelters exist in localities Struge and Vodice). Total length of mountain trails is about 100 km.

Kornati                                                                  

Kornati National Park consists of 89 islands and islets (out of 152 in the Kornati archipelago), spread on an area of 220 km². Kornati islands are located between islands Dugi Otok, Pašman and Žirje. The most interesting nature phenomenon on Kornati are cliffs on the western side of the archipelago, also called crowns (which ultimately gave name to the archipelago). The highest cliff is the one on the islet Klobučar (80 m high). Under the sea the cliffs continue their fall to the depth of about 100 m. On these islands there are numerous stone walls, built to protect the soil and enclose the sheep. There are no permanent residents on Kornati. The biggest settlement in Kornati is Vrulje, with about 40 very small houses. Although the vegetation is scarce, there are olive groves in some places. Kornati is a top destination for nautical tourism (there are two marinas in Kornati, on islands Žut and Piškera).

Krka                                                                      

Krka National Park is a 72 km long canyon of river Krka, spread from 2 km south of the city Knin to Prokljansko Lake. There are seven cascades on Krka - the most impressing of these cascades is the bautiful Skradinski Buk. The fortresses Trošenj and Nečujam, built in the 14th century, mark the northernmost edge of Krka National Park. Further south there is a 150 m deep canyon of the river Krka. After a calmer part of the river, the cascade Roški (27 m high) is located. Other cascades follow. 17 "steps" of Skradinski Buk (46 m high) are spread over a length of 800 m. The cliffs of the canyon are in certain places 200 m high. In the middle of Visovac Lake, a 1 km wide part of the river, there is island Visovac with a Franciscan monastery on it. Near the shore of Visovac Lake the vegetation reminds of a swamp. There are numerous bird species here. At the southernmost edge of the national park there is a small city Skradin. 10 km after Skradin Krka flows into the Adriatic sea. The total area of Krka National Park is 109 km².

 Mljet                                                                      

 Mljet National Park consists of the northwestern part of island Mljet (1/3 of the island, 53 km²). Mljet is a "green" island, 90% of it is covered with luxuriant forest. The highest peak of Mljet is Veliki Grad, at 514 m. Two lakes are located in the national park: the Big Lake (1,45 km², 46 m deep) and the Small Lake (0,24 km², 29 m deep). The two lakes are interconnected with a 2,6 m wide and 0,5 m deep channel. Another, wider channel connects the Big Lake with the sea. In the middle of Big Lake there is a small island (Melita) with a Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century. To protect the environment, marine traffic in the Big Lake is allowed only for local boats, while in the Small Lake there is no traffic at all (except the boat that brings visitors to island Melita). Walking trails lead all around the lakes. Along the coast of Mljet there are numerous islets, peninsulas and underwater caves. In the history Mljet was a part of the Republic of Dubrovnik.

 Parks of nature

 Nature parks are wide natural or cultivated areas with high esthetical, ecological, educational, cultural-historical and tourist-recreation values.

BIOKOVO - a grandiose mountain above Makarska Riviera; various flora and fauna, beautiful sights

KOPACKI RIT - an extensive wetland area located at the confluence of the Rivers Drava and Danube; rich in plants and animals, particularly wading birds, deer and wild boars
 

LONJSKO POLJE - one of the largest swamps of Europe, located by the river of Sava, east from Sisak; huge oak forests, rich bird fauna, particularly storks
 

 MEDVEDNICA - a mountain massif above Zagreb; recreational area where there are beech and fir-tree forest, attractive caves and deep stream valleys

TELASCICA - a spacious narrow bay on the island of Dugi otok, near the National Park Kornati; a navigators' destination; a small lake next to the sea and  the biggest croatian cliffs (up to 800 m)
 

VELEBIT - the biggest and the most beautiful Croatian mountain; due to its unique relief and its plants and animals, it's declared the World reserve of Biosphere; the greatest protected area in the country, it includes both National parks North Velebit and Paklenica
 

ZUMBERAK-SAMOBOR MOUNTAINS - north of Zagreb; spacious meadows, picturesque villages with well-indented relief and deep canyons
 

PAPUK - the largest mountains in Slavonia; significant due to its forest cover and partly eruptive relief

UCKA - a mountain on the east of Istria, above the Kvarner Riviera; interesting relief and flora, magnificent sights
 

LAKE OF VRANA - the largest lake of Croatia, near Zadar; due to its vicinity to the sea, there are both sea and freshwater fish in it and itis also famous for variety of birds

LASTOVO - the youngest park of nature in Croatia, known as Lastovo - Islands of tranquility. The island largely relies on its natural beauty and preservation to attract tourists each season.

Other protected areas

•  two strict reserve

• 73 special reserve (botanical, geomorphologic, hydrological, ichthyologic, ornithological, maritime, zoological),

• 27 park-forests,

• 28 significant landscapes,

• 75 natural phenomenon (geological, geomorphologic, hydrological, paleontological, rare trees examples) and

• 120 horticultural locations (arboretum, botanic gardens, parks, trees and groves)

• a total surface of protected areas is 4.585 km, or 8 per cent of the Croatian surface; 380 animal species and 44 plants are protected.

Other natural sights to visit

• RIVER DRAVA - one of the largest rivers of Europe a significant part of which is in its natural condition; proposed as a World Biosphere Reserve

• RIVER DOBRA - at Karlovac; known because of its cleanliness, richness of fishes and attractive canyons and rapids; it's a perfect place to go rafting, kayaking or canoeing
• RIVER MREZNICA - at Karlovac, with a series of waterfalls on gypsum barriers; attractive canyons and favorite bathing sports
• WHITE ROCKS (BIJELE STIJENE) AND SAMARSKE ROCKS (SAMARSKE STIJENE) - on Bjelolasica mountain in region of Gorski Kotar; a multitude of bizarre karstic forms in the wild and wooded landscape; strictly protected nature reserve
• DEVIL'S PASSAGE (VRAZJI PROLAZ) - at Skrad, a small town in the central part of Gorski Kotar; a picturesque narrow canyon with a scary footpath in the rock passing through it; at the entrance of the canyon is the attractive waterfall Zeleni vir
• LIM GULF (LIMSKI ZALJEV) - the picturesque deep sea bay at the west coast of Istria; it's very narrow and sharp, so it looks like a Norwegian Fjord
• RIVER GACKA - in Otocac, town in region of Lika; with series of picturesque springs and old water mills, known as one of the most significant fishing sports for trout in Europe
• GOLDEN CAPE (ZLATNI RAT) at BOL, a town on island of BRAC - it's probably the most beautiful beach on Adriatic; it's a pebble cape, surrounded with pine forest; the cape changes the form according to the direction of  waves
• BLUE LAKE and RED LAKE - lakes at Imotski, town in region of Dalmatinska zagora (Dalmatian Hinterland); the unique deep karstic phenomenon of two exceptionally deep holes (Red lake is 500 m deep)
• BLUE CAVE - a famous cave on island of Bisevo, near the island of Vis; prominent because of its blue color; according to many, much nicer than the similar but better known cave on Capri
• DELTA OF NERETVA - in the south of the country, the unique swampy area with specific vegetation of reed, famous for its gathering of a large variety of birds

 Source: http://croatia.aventin.hr/index.htm