Autumn is ideal for visiting Risnjak National Park, which separates the sea from the continent. Close to the sea, close to the forests and greenery of Gorski kotar, in the Park you can relax and explore the rich flora and fauna or simply enjoy in greenery and birdsong, and along the Kupa valley in observation butterfly games. There is also a predator trail nearby, which is a special experience Cro-medo bearwatching.
-Among the mighty Risnjak rocks and deep ravines, in the wonderful coniferous and coniferous forests, let the plant and animal life live unhindered, and let man pass through its paths full of respect before the great natural entity into which he entered, long ago said Dr. Ivo Horvat, a famous Croatian botanist of world renown to whom we can thank for the magnificent forests of Risnjak spared overexploitation and declared a National Park.
In terms of height, the National Park extends from 290 meters above sea level near the village of Hrvatsko in the valley of the river Kupa, to 1528 meters what is the height of the highest peak in the Risnjak massif - Veliki Risnjak and together with the Snježnik massif it represents the climatic and vegetation barrier between the coastal and mainland parts of Croatia.
Risnjak National Park is located in Gorski kotar, the most forested area of western Croatia, with an area of 63,5 square kilometers. It is interesting that the aerial distance from the top of Veliki Risnjak to the sea is 15 kilometers, and from the source of Kupa 8 kilometers. On the quiet only 23 kilometers of air distance are marked by marked climatic differences. That is what makes it stand out Risnjak, mountain which overhangs all areas between land and sea that belonged to the National Park.
Close to the sea, close to the forests and greenery of Gorski kotar Risnjak is ideal for this relaxation and exploring the rich flora and fauna or simply enjoyment in the greenery and the singing of birds or along the Kupa valley in observation butterfly games
The natural connection between the Alps and the Balkan mountains
The Risnjak National Park area belongs to the Dinaric system. It stretches from the Eastern Alps to the Šarsko-Pinda Mountains and is part of the area that connects the Alps and the Dinarides. Large migrations of alpine, arctic and boreal species in the southeast direction passed through the massifs of Risnjak and Snježnik, but significantly different vegetation from the surrounding area was preserved in these mountains.
1148 species and subspecies of flora
- The Risnjaka massif has always been known for its rich flora, developed in different microclimatic and geological conditions. This diversity is the basis for a relatively high floristic diversity. The main feature of the flora of the National Park is a relatively large number of taxa, as many as 1148 species and subspecies. During the field research conducted in the period from 2004 to 2006, it was confirmed i mapped 83% of all known taxa listed for the field in the literature- stand out in Risnjak National Park.
Well-preserved climazonal plant communities, especially forest ones, with an authentic component of plant species give the National Park special value. Here is also the most beautifully expressed the phenomenon of vegetation collapse. In addition, the Risnjak area is the natural habitat of all three large European beasts bear, wolf and lynx after which the Risnjak massif got its name.
Other animal species such as birds, reptiles and insects are also numerous and diverse. Butterflies occupy a very important place in the valley of the river Kupa, so the whole valley was named "Butterfly Valley".
Cover photo: Valley of butterflies, author: Goran Rihelj
Article originally published on September 23, 2020.