Risnjak National Park that was named after its most popular inhabitant – the lynx or “ris” in Croatian. It encompasses Risnjak and Snjeznik mountain ranges and the source area of the River Kupa.

The Park is equally attractive in all seasons: in winter, when covered with snow; in spring, when its meadows transform into carpets of flowers; in summer, when it offers relief from the heat, and in autumn, when the trees bathe in a myriad of colors.

There are different hiking routes to choose from. We usually choose a hike from Park entrance in Crni lug to Big Risnjak (1528 m/5013 ft), the highest peak in the Park, and enjoy a deserved break in the hut just below it. Weather permitting, we are able to admire the views of the Adriatic Sea, neighboring Slovenia and even the Alps.

An alternative is a gentler hike in the Kupa River Valley, often described as the magnificent valley of butterflies.