Discover the Municipality of Plaški: River Landscapes, Sinjac and History

Dretulje, Sinjac and the historic schools reveal the Municipality of Plaški from different perspectives: as a landscape of rivers and wet meadows, a destination for hikes and bike rides, and a place with a layered educational history. Use these themes to plan your hotel stay and focus on nature, outdoor activities and culture.

Dretulje: River Course and Protected Habitats

The Dretulje Valley is designated as a Natura 2000 site for species and habitat types. The site bears code HR2000609 and covers 590.77 hectares. For the management period from 2023 to 2032, the management plan identifies two target plant species and five target habitat types, including alkaline fens and lowland hay meadows.

The Dretulje is a sinking river: it flows above ground for about ten kilometres, rises below Mala Kapela and disappears into Plaško polje. The landscape of the Dretulje Valley includes river meanders, meadow and marsh vegetation, the tributary Vrnjika, and a patchwork of agricultural land near Plaški. In the upper valley, 161 plant species have been recorded, including 32 species on Croatia’s Red List of threatened species.

Transport routes are also part of the natural area’s map: State Road D42 crosses the ecological area on the Ogulin–Josipdol–Plaški–Saborsko–Grabovac route, heading towards the Plitvice Lakes. The Oštarije–Knin railway line also passes through the area.

Hiking, Cycling and Sinjac

The hilly terrain offers opportunities for recreational cycling and walks. Gathering medicinal herbs and forest fruits is another leisure activity. The Dretulja and Vrnjika rivers offer opportunities for sport fishing in the Plaščanska Valley.

The hiking trail to Plaška Glava is of moderate difficulty, requires standard hiking equipment and takes 3.5 to 5 hours. It leads to the remains of the old town of Gradina; climbing up to the tower ruins offers views across the valley. A side trail reaches Sinjac after a 15-minute walk from a local paved road. Route information may change, so check the details before setting out.

For planning purposes, two different walking times are given: 15 minutes from the local paved road to the lake, and 3.5 to 5 hours for the Plaška Glava hiking trail. Lake Sinjac is 203 metres deep and is considered Croatia’s second-deepest karst lake. A local legend tells of an ox cart that disappeared into the lake in 1936.

An information board unveiled at the lake in 2023 displayed a research timeline, a map and photographs of underground channels, as well as data on recorded wildlife. If you plan to use the board during your visit, check its current condition.

Cycling Route 9 also offers a clear point of reference: from Rakovica to Saborsko, it passes through Plitvice Lakes National Park and then through Plaški towards Josipdol.

Local History and Regional Products

A stone school building dating from 1809 stands in the centre of Plaški. The town’s educational history also includes a mixed general agricultural school named Nikola Tesla, which opened in 1921. The historic school building, Učiona, is a protected cultural asset and is associated with the schooling of Nikola Tesla’s father and uncle.

The Saborna Church of the Presentation of Mary is about 260 years old and was once the seat of the Upper Karlovac Eparchy. The Dom kulture, now a cinema, was the venue for the Second Session of ZAVNOH, attended by the writer Vladimir Nazor. A walk through Plaški can therefore also offer insights into the town’s religious and political history.

Workshops for organised groups at Atelje Janja Gora last three to four hours. Basic building techniques are used, and participants can take their work home unfired or leave it to be fired and delivered. Guided offerings include visits to archaeological sites associated with the prehistoric Japodes, as well as to the Dretulja and other springs described as sources of clean drinking water. Workshop and tour offerings may change, so check in advance which dates and options are available during your visit.

Visitors to the atelier can also sample regional products, visit producers and buy products from the surrounding area. It is also advisable to confirm availability before travelling. The Green Road between Josipdol, Plaški and Saborsko showcases local products such as cheese, honey, Lika potatoes, cabbage and liqueurs.

Discover more destinations: Plaški, Municipality of Draganić, Municipality of Josipdol, Municipality of Ribnik, Municipality of Netretić, Municipality of Ogulin, Municipality of Barilovići, Municipality of Lasinja.

For the regional travel overview: Karlovac County.