Pros & cons
PROS
- Dramatic 28 m tufa curtain, tallest in the Upper Lakes
- Easy to fold into Entrance 2 routes with a short boat ride
CONS
- Boardwalks get jammed with tour groups midday
- Constant mist can spot lenses and soak clothing
Overview
Veliki Prštavac is a broad, roaring waterfall in the Upper Lakes, famous for its 28‑meter drop and lacy tufa curtain. It’s the tallest cascade in the Upper Lakes and among the park’s highest overall. Expect a cool, refreshing mist and the thunder of water echoing through beech and fir.
Getting There
The simplest approach starts at Entrance 2. Follow one of the official Upper Lakes routes (E, H or K). These typically include a short electric‑boat crossing of Lake Kozjak and a boardwalk walk past Mali and then Veliki Prštavac. If you’re short on time, a point‑to‑point route of about 2.8 miles (1.5–2 hours) also passes both Prštavac falls.
What You’ll See
You’ll view the falls from close boardwalks with multiple angles on the tufa curtain and the emerald pools below. Nearby highlights include Mali Prštavac and the Galovac area, so the scenery stacks up quickly in a compact stretch.
Best Time to Visit
Go at park opening or after about 4 pm. Crowds and tour groups peak late morning to mid‑afternoon, and midday light is harsh on the water. Early or late light softens the scene and makes the spray more photogenic.
Photo Tips
Bring a microfiber cloth and consider a polarizer to cut glare and deal with constant spray. Mist drifts onto the boardwalk—wipe often and shield your lens with a hood or hat. Slower shutter speeds work well on the flowing tufa curtains.
Rules and Reality Check
Stay on marked paths and boardwalks. Swimming, fishing, cycling, and drones aren’t allowed. Dogs must be leashed (and muzzled on boats). Tickets use timed entry, and boat/panorama‑vehicle schedules vary by season—plan around the day’s timetable.
Facilities and Pit Stops
You won’t find services on the narrow boardwalk by the falls. Use restrooms at the entrances and main transport hubs (boat docks and panorama‑train stops). Water refill points are limited; top up at entrance cafés or the Kozjak lakeshore area with picnic tables.
Geology and Wildlife
Prštavac’s shape comes from living travertine (tufa) growing where mineral‑rich water, mosses, and algae trap calcium carbonate. Along the lakes you’re most likely to spot trout and birds; the park’s big mammals are present but rarely seen near busy boardwalks.
Seasonal Notes
After heavy rain or in winter, parts of the Upper Lakes can close temporarily. Always check the park’s current conditions and daily operating hours before you set out.
Where it is
44.8780, 15.6085Tips for Veliki Prštavac
- 01Start at Entrance 2 to reach Veliki Prštavac early on Upper Lakes routes.
- 02Be at the gate at opening or go after 4 pm to dodge tour groups.
- 03Carry a microfiber cloth and a polarizer; the mist is constant.
- 04Plan restroom stops at entrances or main boat/train hubs—none by the falls.
- 05In winter or after storms, Upper Lakes sections can close; check conditions.
Amenities
Near Veliki Prštavac
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayView of Veliki Prstavac from Gradinsko LakeClassic lakeside angle on the second‑highest waterfallScenic Viewpoint
0.1 mi awayMali Prstavac WaterfallSmaller twin falls beside Veliki, brushed by boardwalk sprayScenic Viewpoint
0.1 mi awayGalovački Buk WaterfallBroad Upper Lakes cascade framed by turquoise pools and tufa rimsScenic Viewpoint
0.1 mi awayGradinsko LakeQuiet Upper Lake with tufa-fed cascades and clear water
0.6 mi awayRoute HFull Entrance 2 loop: Upper + Lower Lakes with boats and shuttlesEasy · 5.5 mi · 5 hr
0.6 mi awayRoute FLower Lakes boardwalk loop with a long boat ride, from Entrance 2Easy · 2.9 mi · 3.5 hr
0.6 mi awayRoute EUpper Lakes loop with boardwalks, a quick boat, and big cascadesEasy · 3.2 mi · 2.5 hr
1.9 mi awayRoute KFull-day circuit of the Upper and Lower Lakes on foot.Moderate · 11.4 mi · 7 hr
