Program C: Lower and Upper Lakes

Program C is the park’s circular lake tour from Entrance 1 in Rastovača, covering both the Lower and Upper Lakes. The park lists it at 8 km and four to five hours. It combines walking in the Lower Lakes canyon, a boat crossing of Kozjak, more walking among the Upper Lakes cascades, and a return mostly by panoramic vehicle. The park’s page does not say whether 8 km counts the ride distances, so that is the official itinerary length; the mapped line traces the boat and vehicle legs too. A valid park ticket is required for the rides, which are included with admission. Choose C for a full lake day and the park’s three headline waterfalls. If four to five hours is too much, Program A is the shorter 3.5 km Lower Lakes circuit.

From Entrance 1, the route drops on a zigzag into the limestone canyon. The path quickly opens onto the water, then wooden boardwalks carry you beside pools and small cascades. One of the best views puts Sastavci in front with the Great Waterfall behind it. Keep following the C markers at junctions: nearby cave and high viewpoint detours add steps and are not part of this mapped circuit.

At pier P2, take the park’s electric boat to P3. It is a required part of Program C, not an optional shortcut, and it links the Lower Lakes walk to the Upper Lakes section. Keep your ticket handy. The wait can change with the day’s visitor flow, so leave slack rather than planning the route around a tight finish time.

From P3, the route continues on boardwalks beside wooded lake edges and through a series of cascades. The official highlights are Veliki Prštavac and Mali Prštavac, two falls that make this more than an extension of the Lower Lakes walk. Take time at the signed viewpoints; the water and falls appear in short sequences rather than one single overlook.

After the Upper Lakes, walk to the St3 station and use the panoramic vehicle for most of the return. The mapped itinerary follows the vehicle route via St2 to St1, then a final footpath along the top of the Lower Lakes canyon brings you back to Entrance 1. That mixed return is what makes C a true circuit without retracing the lake walk. Check that the boat and vehicle are operating for your visit, since both are part of the route as signed.

Allow the full four to five hours, including viewpoints and the boat transfer. The distance is manageable for many visitors, but it is a long, stop-heavy outing, with stairs on the canyon descent, uneven boardwalks and wet footing close to falling water. Stay on marked paths and do not swim; both are park rules. Dogs are permitted on leash. This is the route to pick when you want both lake districts in one visit, not when you only have time for a quick waterfall stop.