Kaluđerovac

Kaluđerovac is one of the Lower Lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, near the village of Rastovača in Croatia, sitting just downstream from the Great Waterfall (Veliki slap).

Where is Kaluđerovac?

The lake sits at an elevation of 505 metres and belongs to the group of four Lower Lakes, alongside Milanovac, Gavanovac and Novakovića Brod. All four were carved into soft, erosion-prone limestone, filling a narrow canyon with dramatic, steep walls. Kaluđerovac covers roughly 2.1 hectares, stretches 225 metres in length, measures 70 to 100 metres across, and reaches a maximum depth of 13 metres — making it one of the larger lakes in the lower group.

What will you see at the lake?

Above the right bank rises a cliff more than 40 metres high, with several viewpoints looking out over the turquoise water and the surrounding canyon walls. The lake is well stocked with fish, easily visible through the clear water. Water spills from Kaluđerovac over a two-metre limestone barrier down to the smaller, lower-lying lake of Novakovića Brod; a wooden walkway crosses right at this point, part of the boardwalk trail that runs the length of the entire Lower Lakes chain.

The lake's name comes from the word "kaluđer," meaning monk — local legend holds that a hermit once lived in a cave in the rock face above the water.

How do you get to Kaluđerovac?

The lake lies on the hiking trail that winds through the Lower Lakes canyon. Boardwalks and footpaths follow the shores of Novakovića Brod, Kaluđerovac, Gavanovac and Milanovac in turn, before the trail climbs toward Kozjak Bridge, linking the Lower Lakes with the rest of the park. This stretch is covered entirely on foot — the boat shuttles that serve the larger Upper and Middle Lakes don't run here. Access is via the park's main entrances near Rastovača, from where marked trails lead directly toward the Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early summer offer the best views of the limestone barrier and the cascades between the lakes, when water levels run high. Summer brings crowds, especially around the clifftop viewpoints. In autumn, the canyon slopes turn colour, making the turquoise water stand out even more, while in winter the lake and its cascades partially freeze, creating an entirely different, icy landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kaluđerovac a separate lake or part of a larger system? It's a distinct lake within the four-lake group known as the Lower Lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, connected to its neighbours by a chain of natural barriers and limestone thresholds.

Can you take a boat across the lake? No — the Lower Lakes, including Kaluđerovac, are only accessible on foot via boardwalks and trails. Boat shuttles operate on the park's other, larger lakes.

Where does the lake's name come from? From "kaluđer," meaning monk. Legend has it that a hermit lived in a cave in the cliffs above the lake.

How long does the walk through the Lower Lakes past Kaluđerovac take? The stretch covering all four Lower Lakes, plus the climb up to Kozjak Bridge, typically takes a couple of hours on foot, depending on pace and how many stops you make at the viewpoints.