Lake Sinjac near Plaški, almost untouched by man, is rarely on the tourist radar. What a shame…

If you take the old road from Karlovac towards the Adriatic Sea, the one that passes by the Plitvice Lakes, you will pass a turnoff where few people get off this popular route. And that could be a mistake, because in this part of Lika, away from the most popular tourist routes, there are some wonderful and truly untouched natural attractions.

So, turn off a little before Plitvice (if you are going from the direction of Karlovac) towards Saborsko and Plaški and discover the unspoiled, beautiful and still somewhat wild nature of Lika… There is the intriguing Lake Sinjac, almost untouched by human hands, one of the deepest karst springs in the world.

AN UNDISCOVERED CORNER OF LICA FOR LOVERS OF PRIME, UNTOUCHED NATURE

Lake Sinjac is located near Plaški and is a true undiscovered natural pearl. Surrounded by dense forest on all sides, its turquoise water hides incredible information and mystical stories that have surrounded it throughout history. This is not a lake where you will swim, but it is ideal for hiking, relaxing and exploring nature that is rarely visited by human feet. Lake Sinjac is located in a karst area and this karst character is its greatest special feature.

THE LAKE IS THE SOURCE OF A RIVER, WHICH FLOWS ONLY TWO KILOMETERS AWAY

Sinjac is a lake consisting of several connected units, but it is also the source of the Tuk River. At its end, a small river forms, but after only two kilometers, it sinks underground. There are no visible tributaries, so it is filled only with groundwater, typical of karst areas. Its surface area is only 0.25 hectares, and the four lakes it consists of are simply called Sinjac 1, 2, 3 and 4.

When the water level is low, all the lakes can be clearly distinguished individually, while when the water level is higher, everything becomes one lake. The deepest is Sinjac 1, and it was the subject of international research that revealed some fascinating data, writes URPI Mala Kapela.

A DIVE TO AN INCREDIBLE 203 METERS DEPTH WAS ACHIEVED

While local people tried to determine the depth of the lake throughout the 20th century, due to a lack of equipment, they only descended to a depth of about 40 meters in the 1980s and to about 100 meters in the late 1990s. When cavers and divers got involved, intrigued by the lake's unusual characteristics, a dive to an incredible 203 meters was achieved on the first lake.

However, they did not reach the bottom, so its final depth is not yet known. This data is even more fascinating if we add that Lake Sinjac is currently the third deepest explored karst spring in Croatia and is among the 15 deepest karst springs in the world.

THE WATER IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND HAS GREAT ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The water in the lake is exceptionally clear, and its color varies from turquoise blue to emerald green, depending on the time of day and light conditions. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and karst rocks, which gives it a special charm and peace. Although not large, the lake has ecological significance because it is home to various plant and animal species that are adapted to the specific conditions of karst ecosystems.

Due to its inaccessibility and hidden location, the lake has remained untouched by mass tourism for centuries, which has further preserved its natural character.

THE LEGEND OF SUNKEN CARS THAT TURNS OUT TO BE TRUE

There is also a legend associated with this lake, which turned out to be true! For a long time, the locals of Plaški and the surrounding villages told the story of a cart and oxen that ended up in the lake and were never seen again. For a long time, it was thought that this was just a story that was intended to discourage children from swimming in the lake and increase their caution.

But in the end, underwater research really did discover a wooden cart pulled by oxen! The cart fell into the lake in 1936, got stuck at a depth of 42 meters and remained hidden for decades. To this day, it has not been pulled out of the lake.

VISIT LAKE SINJAC ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO BEAUTIFUL LIKA

Lake Sinjac may not be a standalone destination that would make you travel from another city. But its incredible beauty, mysticism, and untouched nature certainly deserve a visit on your next trip to Lika. You can visit it during your visit to Plitvice Lakes, Otočac and the Gacka Valley, Slunj, or the attractive hiking trail with the intriguing name Izvor voda in nearby Saborsko. If you are drawn to water, don't miss the source of the Dretulja River, which is also located in the Plaško area, not far from this fascinating lake. Whatever your itinerary, a trip to Lika is always a good idea!

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