Discover Grabovac: Caves, Nature and Excursions

When looking for a hotel in Grabovac, you can plan your trip around the excursions that interest you. One specific destination nearby is the Barać Caves: from Grabovac, follow the signposted road towards Irinovac and Lipovača to reach them. The drive from the direction of the Plitvice Lakes is said to take about ten minutes. The Barać Caves have been open to visitors since 1892. A guided tour underground lasts 45 to 60 minutes and covers the formation of the caves, geology, archaeological finds and the former habitat of the cave bear.

Caves and Karst in Općina Rakovica

In the wider destination of Općina Rakovica, the protected area of the Barać Caves is characterised by a karst landscape that includes hornbeam and beech forests, meadows, fields and numerous sinkholes. The caves are home to a significant bat colony and several endemic insect species. The Upper Barać Cave is 495 metres long. These landscape and nature features complement the guided tour with a look at the area surrounding the caves.

The permanent exhibition at Speleon, also in the wider destination of Općina Rakovica, focuses on the natural and cultural heritage of the region. It covers speleology, geology, archaeology and palaeontology. This offers two distinct perspectives: the cave tour explores the underground world and its finds, while Speleon brings together nature and culture in an exhibition.

Horse Riding and Regional Orientation

The Equestrian Club Rakovica is located in Grabovac Drežnički. It offers horseback rides through green, wooded landscapes for different age groups and experience levels. Visitors can also see ponies and other animals. If you would like to include horse riding in your travel plans, this offers a different focus from the underground tour of the Barać Caves.

The wider destination of Općina Rakovica has an organised and marked network of cycling routes. The main state road also provides a regional transport link: it runs through the municipality along the Karlovac–Slunj–Rakovica–Grabovac–Plitvice Lakes route. Cycling routes and the road corridor are different aspects of getting around the municipality; they do not provide specific excursion distances or journey times.

Culture and History in Općina Rakovica

Stari grad Drežnik is a registered medieval fortress and registered cultural heritage site in the municipality of Rakovica. Its round defensive tower is an example of military architecture from the 15th or 16th century. The site also offers visitors an experience of an early Renaissance castle. For travellers interested in architectural history as well as nature and caves, it adds a distinct cultural dimension to the wider destination of Općina Rakovica.

Wildlife and More Experiences

In the wider destination of Općina Rakovica, Ranch Dolina Jelena is an open-air zoo with more than 100 wild animals. Visitors can hand-feed, pet and photograph roe deer and deer. Due to high demand, a visit must be booked several days in advance by email or telephone. After the visit, local specialities, natural juices and spirits made by Bićanići and neighbouring family farms are served.

The wider destination of Općina Rakovica offers a range of other activities: Plitvice Adrenaline Park has a 300-metre-long zip line over the Korana River canyon. Ogi Adrenaline Park has a ropes course and a giant swing. Before your trip, check whether the facilities at Ogi Adrenaline Park are currently open.

The 45- to 60-minute cave tour is a clearly defined activity; a horseback ride in Grabovac Drežnički offers a different focus, taking you through green, wooded landscapes. Culture, wildlife and adventure activities add to the options in the wider destination of Općina Rakovica. You can use these different interests to guide your search for a hotel in Grabovac.

Discover more destinations: Korita, Broćanac, Drežnik Grad, Čatrnja, Oštarski Stanovi, Selište Drežničko, Drage, Rakovica.

Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Rakovica.