Croatia's Risnjak National Park has made it into the top five best parks in Europe. Located in a beautiful mountainous area, it covers an area of 63.5 km². "Risnjak" is known for its biodiversity. Wolves, brown bears and even lynxes, from which the park got its name, are still found here.
Walking along one of the five hiking trails, you can admire wild orchids, observe the variety of butterflies in the Butterfly Valley, or climb to one of the most beautiful observation decks in Croatia near the "Snjeznik" peak.
For cycling enthusiasts, there are routes in the mountains ranging from 4 to 40 km in length. And since May 15, the season for sport fishing has opened in the park in the waters of the Kupa River, the source of which is located here.
The rating of European parks, compiled by leading travel journalists, also includes such a rare component today as the lack of crowds. According to this parameter, "Risnjak" occupies one of the leading places in Europe.
In addition to the Croatian National Park, the list of the best parks also includes the Agortesses and Estany de Sant Maurici National Parks in Spain; the German Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia; the only national park in Portugal, Peneda-Geres, and the Mercantour National Park in France.