Prokres

Prokres is a hill in Plitvice Lakes National Park, right next to the village of Gornji Babin Potok in Lika-Senj County, Croatia.

Where is Prokres located?

The peak rises to 879 m (2,884 ft) above sea level and belongs to the Dinaric Alps. Its topographic prominence is only 19 m (62 ft), meaning Prokres is a high point along a longer ridge rather than a freestanding mountain. Its coordinates sit at roughly 44.822 N, 15.566 E. Within Plitvice Lakes National Park's own ranking of summits, Prokres comes in at #53 out of 96 named peaks — a reminder that the park spans a much larger and higher massif, with Prokres marking one of its many lower-profile points in the northern section.

How do you get there?

The starting point is Gornji Babin Potok, a village sitting at roughly 560 m elevation within the Plitvička Jezera municipality. The settlement counts just 107 residents (2011 census) spread across 28.2 km², making it a quiet, sparsely populated base typical of the Lika region bordering the national park. From Gornji Babin Potok, local roads and forest tracks lead into the park and toward Prokres, used mainly by hikers and cyclists exploring the quieter northern reaches away from the main lake circuits — a good base for travelers who'd rather skip the crowds at the headline lakes.

What will you see on the way and at the top?

The landscape around Prokres is classic Dinaric karst country — beech and fir forest, limestone ridges, and karst depressions. Because of its modest prominence, the summit doesn't deliver a dramatic standalone view; instead it offers a vantage point along a wooded ridge overlooking the hills and forests of Lika. The main draw of the region remains Plitvice Lakes National Park itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its cascading lakes and waterfalls, reachable from the same municipality. For visitors staying longer, Prokres makes a worthwhile short, quiet detour away from the park's busiest, most heavily ticketed trails.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring through summer (May–September) is the most reliable window, when forest tracks are dry and passable and daylight hours are long. Autumn, especially October, brings strong color from the beech forests of Lika along with thinner crowds. Winter can bring snow to the region — access roads to Gornji Babin Potok are occasionally affected during this period, and the forest tracks themselves become harder to follow without proper gear.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Prokres? The summit reaches 879 m (2,884 ft), with a prominence of just 19 m (62 ft).

Is Prokres inside Plitvice Lakes National Park? Yes — it ranks 53rd by elevation among 96 named peaks within the park's boundaries.

What's the nearest village? Gornji Babin Potok, a village of 107 residents at about 560 m elevation in the Plitvička Jezera municipality.

Do you need mountaineering experience to reach Prokres? No — its low prominence and gentle ridge profile mean the approach only requires basic hiking fitness on forest tracks, not technical climbing skills.