Okrugljak

Okrugljak is one of the twelve Upper Lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Sitting at an altitude of 613 metres above sea level, it is the third-highest lake in the entire park system, ranking just behind Prošćansko Lake and Ciginovac.

How do you get there?

Okrugljak sits along the walking route through the Upper Lakes, reachable from the park's main entrances (Entrance 1 and Entrance 2). Wooden boardwalks link the lakes in sequence, carrying visitors from Prošćansko Lake through Ciginovac to Okrugljak and onward toward Batinovac, Veliko jezero and the rest of the chain. The park also runs boat and electric train connections on longer circuits, though this particular stretch is covered mostly on foot.

What will you see?

The lake covers a little over 4 hectares, stretching roughly 260 metres in length with a width of up to 100 metres. Its name comes from its round shape — it's also known locally as Okrugljaj or Kruginovac. On the northwestern side, a waterfall about 7 metres high feeds into Okrugljak from Ciginovac above it. The lake's real showpiece, though, sits at the opposite end: the Labudovac waterfall, cascading more than 20 metres down a travertine barrier over 100 metres wide.

Beneath the Labudovac barrier lies what's often called a "cave park" — a cluster of caves, half-caves and rock recesses carved into the limestone deposits over time. One cave alone runs 53 metres deep, with two chambers and a small pool inside, and it's a popular stop for hikers following the Upper Lakes trail. Okrugljak reaches its maximum depth of around 15 metres right at the base of the Labudovac barrier.

When should you visit?

Spring is generally the best time to see Okrugljak and its neighbouring lakes, when the barriers between the individual basins sprout hundreds of small cascades and water levels tend to run highest. Summer keeps the lake and waterfalls just as photogenic, though it's worth timing a walk for the early hours to stay ahead of the crowds in the heat. Autumn brings out the colour of the forests surrounding the Upper Lakes for a strikingly different look, while winter — when the park operates on a reduced schedule — can turn the cascades into frozen curtains of ice.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Okrugljak different from the park's other lakes? Its standout features are the Labudovac waterfall and the extensive network of caves and half-caves sitting directly beneath its barrier — a combination not found at any other lake in the park.

Can you actually explore the caves near Okrugljak? The trail runs close enough to the cave entrances to let you view them from outside or partway in, but freely exploring the interiors isn't part of the standard visitor route.

How deep is Lake Okrugljak? Its maximum depth is around 15 metres, reached at the base of the Labudovac barrier.

Which lakes border Okrugljak? Along the Upper Lakes chain, Okrugljak sits between Ciginovac upstream and the group formed by Batinovac, Veliko jezero, Malo jezero and Vir downstream.