About the (hiking) trail

Because of its rich flora and fauna, the upper course of the River Kupa is called The Wonderful Valley of Butterflies.

The simplest way to the source of the River Kupa is along the marked mountain track starting from the Village of Razloge. The pleasant walk through the beach forest lasts about half an hour, but one needs to pay attention at steep areas so as not to slip onto the wet leaves.

In its lower part, close to the spring, the path passes through the dry riverbed of the torrential stream of Krašićevica, which is impassable at times of great precipitation because of overflowing water.

The spring can also be reached from the opposite side which follows the upper course of the River Kupa passing through three settlements (hamlets): Donji, Sredni and Gornji Kupari. That track is slightly longer, but not demanding, and one feels the beauty and the untouched harmony of nature mixed with awe of the wilderness.

White fogs often drag idly in the great rocky amphitheatre above the perfectly peaceful ‘’lake’’ surface, while the water below them reflects the dark blue sky surrounded by the green crowns of the trees. The reflections of their branches stretch like the hands of mystical water creatures which live in the deep crater of the Lake of Kupa, keeping intact the ancient secret of the origin of the extraordinary karst spring and its mysterious underwater currents.

The surreal atmosphere and complete silence which dominate the ‘’lake’’ are disturbed only by the slight splashes of graylings or brown trout hunting flies. Tired and thirsty after the hike on a hot summer day, treat yourself to a delight almost forgotten nowadays, and almost unimaginable in many European countries – grab some water from the lake with your hands and drink it -take in the cold, clear and clean spring water slowly, savouring each sip deep in your memories.