Geography

To the west of Risnjak stands the massif of Snjeznik, to the north the Kupa valley, to the east Mt. Drgomalj, and to the south the main road connecting Zagreb and Rijeka. The central part of Risnjak, covering 32 sq. km of the highest ground and most interesting territory, was proclaimed a national park in 1953. The western part of the national park is somewhat higher than the rest, with the following prominent peaks: Veliki Risnjak - 1528 m, Juzni Mali Risnjak - 1448 m, Sjeverni Mali Risnjak - 1434 m, Cajtnik - 1406 m, Viljske Stijene - 1387 m, etc. In the eastern part, the viewer's eye is caught by the rocky and craggy Bijele Stijene (White Rocks) - 1194 m, and V. Bukovac - 1266 m.

The lowest part of the national park is the Leska valley on the eastern rim - 680 m. All of the mountain peaks, as well as the greater part of Risnjak, are made of limestone, presenting a typical karst relief with the characteristic morphology, ranging from rocky, occasionally precipitous, peaks to deep pits and closed depressions (sink-holes). But the whole terrain with the exception of the highest peaks is wooded ("covered karst"), which is the main characteristic of the Risnjak landscape.