Bedekovčina Lakes

Bedekovčina is a village and municipality in Hrvatsko Zagorje, the hilly region north of Zagreb, in Krapina-Zagorje County. This is gentle, green countryside of small farms, orchards, vineyards, wooded ridges and village churches, and the Bedekovčina Lakes are one of the quiet places where local people go for a walk or a picnic. Information about the lakes is sparse in guidebooks, which is a good description of the experience: there is no big visitor complex, only water, trees and paths.

The lakes are small to medium-sized bodies of water, a type of landscape typical for Zagorje, where valleys have been dammed over the years for fishing, water supply and recreation. They are open to everyone, with no entry fee, and they can be visited at any time of day. The setting is informal. A path runs along the shore in places, and the banks are lined with grass, reeds and trees, which offer shade in summer and reflections in the water on calm days. Birds are frequent visitors, and early morning is the best time for birdwatching and photography, when the water is still and the light is soft.

The lakes suit a simple, unhurried kind of visit. A typical outing might consist of a walk around the water, a picnic on the grass or a few hours of fishing, if local rules allow it. Because the area is not heavily developed, you should expect few facilities: bring water, snacks and sun protection, and carry out your rubbish. In spring and autumn the colours are especially attractive, and the wet ground can be muddy, so wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty.

Bedekovčina itself has some local interest. The village is named after the Bedeković family, a noble family connected with the area, and it lies in a part of Zagorje where many castles, manor houses and pilgrimage churches are within a short drive of each other. Visitors who have a car can combine the lakes with castles and viewpoints in the surrounding hills, and with the wine cellars and farmhouse restaurants that serve Zagorje dishes such as turkey with mlinci, a baked flatbread, and štrukli, the cheese pastry.

Check the situation on the ground before planning a visit, since access paths and facilities change with the seasons and with local management. Allow two to three hours for the lakes, more if you picnic or fish. The place suits families, walkers and photographers who like quiet landscapes. It is not a major attraction, but it is a pleasant example of everyday Zagorje scenery.