Entrance 2 – Hladovina

Overview

Hladovina (aka Entrance Two or the South Entrance) is the calmer, smarter gateway if you want to start among the Upper Lakes and follow the water downhill. The ticket office, information desk, restrooms, and quick snacks are all right at the gate, with a big parking lot just across the main road connected by a pedestrian bridge.

Why start here

• You step straight into the Upper Lakes and can work your way down, which many visitors find easier and less frenetic than entering at the Lower Lakes first.
• It’s a convenient transit hub: your park ticket covers the panorama “train” (shuttle buses) and the electric boats, so you can stitch together a full loop without grinding back uphill on foot.

Facilities and layout

• Parking: large, paid lot across the D1 road; use the footbridge to the entrance.
• Services at the gate: ticket office, information office with maps, restrooms, and kiosks for coffee, drinks, and ice cream. There are picnic tables in this entrance zone, but once you leave for the boardwalks, facilities thin out—plan accordingly.

Getting around from Entrance Two

• Classic approach: follow a popular “H”-style route—walk through the Upper Lakes, take the boat across the big central lake, then sample Lower Lakes highlights before riding the shuttle back.
• Pro time-saver: in peak season, the queue for the long boat back toward this side can crawl; the flat lakeside path can be quicker when lines balloon.

Trails that start nearby

From the Hladovina parking area, the Medveđak trails climb a forested ridge with three peaks and sweeping views. They range from roughly 1.5–2.5 hours for the signed routes and showcase old beech forest and karst terrain—great if you want a wilder detour away from the lakes.

Wildlife

Those Medveđak woods are habitat for large predators (wolf, lynx, brown bear), plus roe and red deer and wildcat. Encounters are rare, but you may spot tracks or hear forest sounds—make noise so animals know you’re coming, keep your distance, and never feed or disturb wildlife.

Seasonal notes

Winter and early spring can bring partial closures of Upper/boardwalk sections after snow or high water. Off‑season means lighter crowds and lower ticket prices; summer brings the longest hours but the tightest boardwalk traffic. Current posted hours around this entrance are roughly 7 a.m.–5 p.m., but the park’s schedule varies by season—always check before you go.

Best time to visit

Aim for the first hour after opening to enjoy quieter Upper Lakes and easier photos; late morning through mid‑afternoon is typically the busiest. Weekdays are a shade calmer than weekends. If you’re here in peak season, book a timed‑entry ticket in advance and plan your shuttle/boat segments early or late to dodge the longest lines.