Follow the footsteps of a wolf, lynx or bear.
This week, three new educational and recreational walking trails were opened at the Significant Landscape of Barać Caves in the Rakovica Municipality. The public institution has thus opened its doors to an even greater number of nature lovers. All hikers, recreationists and Nordic walking enthusiasts have at their disposal three trails that pass through a larger complex of mixed deciduous forest, located within a protected area. The trails are named after the protected large carnivores that live in the area of the significant landscape – wolf, lynx and bear.
The director of the Public Institution, Tihana Oštrina, commented that the importance of the walking trails was manifold – in addition to expanding the tourist offer, they will also help involve the local population in caring for the environment, while also creating new insights into sustainable development and its potential in the development of this selective form of tourism in our area. The advantages of the newly opened walking trails were also pointed out by the mayor of Rakovica, Franjo Franjković, the director of the Tourist Board of the Rakovica Municipality, Mira Špoljarić, and the president of the Athletic Club Plitvice, Leopold Špehar.
The total length of the trails is 11.5 km. The trails are circular in shape, and all of them start and finish at Barać Caves Whether you wish to walk in the footsteps of a wolf, lynx or bear, we offer you 11 reasons, that is, kilometers, to do so. All you need to do is decide which path you want to follow.
“Homo homini lupus est” – a man does not have to be a wolf to another man, but just like wolves, people like to move in their “pack”, that is, surrounded by their closest ones. If you decide to go for a walk in nature with your family, then the “Wolf Trail” is the perfect choice for you. It is suitable for beginner walkers, its length is 1.2 km, and the round trip takes only 20 minutes.
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is an endangered mammal species in Croatia. The lynx needs a lot of living space, which makes it one of the most demanding and challenging species for conservation. Their presence is a sign that the ecosystem has remained very well preserved. The movement of lynxes has been recorded in the area of the Significant Landscape, and we offer you a 3 km long trail to discover for yourself the uniqueness of the forest ecosystem in which lynxes occasionally find refuge. Just one hour is enough for the entire round trip – so why not start planning your visit today?
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a giant of our mountain forests. The third path follows in its footsteps. Just like the bear, on your way to the most beautiful lookout points you can find refreshment at forest springs and streams. Since it is 7.5 km long, the trail is most suitable for walkers who welcome a good challenge and have at least 3 hours at their disposal.
To conclude, the director emphasised the importance of raising awareness of all the benefits of spending time in nature. This is why, at Barać Caves, we offer you the one-of-a-kind experience of trails that are many kilometres long, passing through the stunning environment of the Protected Landscape and its caves, sinkholes, springs and streams – to complement your experience of clean, wild and preserved nature!
“Happiness is being with nature, looking at it and talking to it.” L. N. Tolstoy
We have already stepped on the walking trails and found our path to happiness – now it’s up to you to choose which of the three offered trails best suits your way of life.
