Medveđak

Medveđak is a ridge of hills in the northwestern part of Plitvice Lakes National Park, in Lika-Senj County, Croatia. Despite what some location databases suggest, this has nothing to do with coastal Podstrana near Split — Medveđak sits well inland, right next to one of the country's most famous national parks. The ridge is formed by three peaks: Oštri Medveđak (889 m), Tupi Medveđak (868 m), and Turčić (801 m), each offering a different view of the surrounding landscape.

Where exactly is Medveđak?

The hills rise above the upper cluster of the Plitvice lakes, at elevations between roughly 800 and 890 meters. Covered in mature beech forest, the ridge has served as a landmark for the region for centuries. Medieval records place it as a boundary point between the historical Gacka and Drežnička areas, once referred to as "the stone called the Bear's Footprint" — a fitting origin for the name it carries today.

What will you see on the trail?

The route runs through beech forest, the dominant woodland type in this part of Lika, mixed with maple, sycamore, wild cherry, and pockets of spruce, fir, and hazel. That dense, mature canopy is what makes the climb manageable even on hot days, since shade covers most of the way. The forests around Medveđak are also home to brown bears — the animal the hill is named after — along with deer, foxes, martens, and wild boar.

Each of the three summits rewards hikers with a different outlook. Oštri Medveđak opens onto the Lička Plješivica massif and, beyond it, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tupi Medveđak overlooks the six upper lakes of the park, a view that's especially striking in spring and autumn. Turčić, meanwhile, offers a look at Lake Kozjak and the Veliki Slap waterfall from an angle you won't get from the lakeside paths.

How do you get to Medveđak?

The trail to Tupi Medveđak dates back to 1894, making it one of the oldest hiking routes in the park. The path to Oštri Medveđak followed a few years later, in 1900, and is still known today as "Blanka's Path," named after the Austrian princess. Both routes largely follow their original 19th-century course. The most convenient starting point is from the upper lakes area, where waymarked signs lead gradually uphill through the forest.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, before the trees leaf out, and autumn, after the leaves fall, offer the clearest and widest views from the lookout points. In summer the forest provides pleasant shade, but the panoramas are partly screened by foliage.

Frequently asked questions

Is Medveđak near Split or Podstrana? No. Although some databases mistakenly link the hill to Podstrana near Split, it actually lies inland, in Lika-Senj County, within Plitvice Lakes National Park.

How many peaks does the Medveđak ridge have? Three: Oštri Medveđak (889 m), Tupi Medveđak (868 m), and Turčić (801 m), each with its own viewpoint.

Is the trail difficult? The climb is considered relatively easy. The terrain is hilly rather than steep, and the dense beech forest keeps hikers shaded even on warm days.

Where does the name Medveđak come from? From the brown bears living in the surrounding forests, the largest wild animal in the area. Medieval documents even referred to this spot as the "Bear's Footprint."