Lokvarsko Jezero (Lake Lokve)

Lokvarsko Jezero, also called Lake Lokve, is a large artificial lake in Gorski Kotar, the mountainous and heavily forested region between Rijeka and Zagreb. It was created in the 1950s by damming the Lokvarka River, as part of the hydroelectric system that also includes nearby Lake Bajer, and it fills a long valley below the village of Lokve. Spruce, fir and beech forests rise on all sides, and the lake's colour shifts between green, blue and grey with the light and season. The northern edge of Risnjak National Park lies not far away, and the lake is a good gateway to the wider area.

The villages around the shore include Homer, Mrzla Vodica and Zelin Mrzlovodički, all small mountain communities with a few guest houses and farms. The area has a cool climate, with fresh summers and snowy winters, and it was a mountain retreat for people from the coast long before the lake was built. A trail runs along parts of the shoreline, and hikers and cyclists can follow forest roads between the lake and the neighbouring villages. In summer, swimming is possible, and the water is cool and clean, while some visitors bring small boats and paddle craft.

The lake is best known among anglers. It holds species such as chub, carp and trout, and fishing is the main sporting activity, with permits arranged locally. Local lore speaks of very large trout caught here in the 1960s and 1970s, which helped give the lake a name across the country. If you plan to fish, ask in the village about current rules and permits before you start. The water level of the reservoir can change, and the lake is occasionally lowered for maintenance, so the look of the shore varies from year to year.

Beyond the water, the area has other attractions that make it worth a longer stay. Lokvarka Cave, a show cave in the village, and Golubinjak Forest Park, which lies in a deep valley with mountain paths, are both close. A lakeside restaurant called Eva serves regional dishes, such as game, trout and homemade pastries, in a setting with a view over the water.

There are no set opening hours or entrance fees for the lake itself, so visits are flexible. It suits hikers, anglers, families on a day trip from Rijeka, and drivers on the road between the coast and the interior who want a quiet break in the forest. Autumn colours and early morning mist over the water are particularly attractive.