Mali Kik

Mali Kik is a modest peak near Mihaljevac, a small village in Lika-Senj County, Croatia, set within the mountainous and sparsely populated Lika region. It rises to roughly 1,263 metres above sea level and sits close to a neighbouring hill and the village of Šeganovac — both settlements belong to the Municipality of Plitvička Jezera, the same municipality that contains the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Where exactly is Mali Kik?

The peak lies in the heart of Lika, a region defined by limestone hills, deep valleys, and thin settlement. Mihaljevac, the village closest to Mali Kik, sits about 3 km northeast of Korenica, the seat of the Plitvička Jezera municipality and the natural reference point for the surrounding area. It's classic Lika-Senj County terrain: broad, open landscapes with small villages scattered among the hills and very little tourist traffic outside the immediate vicinity of the national park.

How do you get to Mihaljevac and Mali Kik?

The easiest starting point is Korenica, reached via the D1 national road connecting Plitvice with Udbina. From Korenica, local municipal roads lead on to Mihaljevac. Given the village's small size — only a few dozen residents today — tourist infrastructure here is minimal. This is a destination for travellers looking for quiet, less-trodden ground in the shadow of Plitvice, not for organised accommodation or marked hiking networks.

What should you know about the surrounding area?

Mihaljevac and neighbouring Šeganovac (a village of just 29 residents according to the 2001 census) are typical of Lika settlements that once held far larger populations before a turbulent 20th century. Mihaljevac was part of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina until August 1995, and its population fell steadily afterward: from 98 people in 1991 to 66 in 2001 and just 44 in 2011. That history explains the near-empty character of the land around Mali Kik today — for visitors, it mostly translates into silence, open space, and an unfiltered view of the Lika landscape.

The Plitvička Jezera municipality itself, home to both Mihaljevac and Šeganovac, revolves largely around Plitvice Lakes National Park, the region's dominant tourist draw and economic engine. Travellers exploring the area around Mali Kik often treat it as a calm counterpoint to the park: a chance to see Lika as it looks away from the main visitor route.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the region's mountainous character and elevation, late spring through early autumn offers the most stable weather and the easiest access roads. Winters in this part of Lika can be harsh, with regular snowfall and colder temperatures typical of the region's continental interior.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mali Kik located? It's a peak of roughly 1,263 metres in Lika-Senj County, near the villages of Mihaljevac and Šeganovac, within the Municipality of Plitvička Jezera.

How far is it from Plitvice Lakes National Park? Mihaljevac lies within the same municipality as Plitvice Lakes National Park, whose administrative seat, Korenica, is about 3 km from the village.

Is there much tourist infrastructure around Mali Kik? No — Mihaljevac and Šeganovac are small, sparsely populated villages with minimal tourist facilities, making the area better suited to those seeking quiet over organised attractions.

What's the best way to reach Mihaljevac? Drive via Korenica, accessible on the D1 national road between Plitvice and Udbina, then continue on local municipal roads.