Bajer Lake

Bajer is the largest of three artificial lakes surrounding the village of Fužine — a 210,000-square-metre reservoir created in 1953 when the Ličanka river was dammed for hydroelectric power. Ringed by pine and beech forest and topped by the pretty pastel houses of Fužine climbing the hillside, it has become Gorski Kotar's most-loved family day-trip destination: a flat, waymarked 3.5-km promenade circles the whole lake with wooden bridges, small piers, benches and picnic pavilions. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired in summer from the lakeside café, and swimming is allowed and popular on hot July afternoons — the water reaches a fresh but bearable 22 °C by August. The lake is also a superb bass and trout fishing venue; permits sold in the village. A short walk from the promenade takes you to the fascinating Vrelo Cave, whose underground stream feeds the lake. Fužine itself is a lovely Alpine-style mountain village with several excellent traditional konobe serving local specialities: mountain lamb, forest-mushroom risotto and homemade bilberry pie. Just 30 minutes off the A6 motorway between Zagreb and Rijeka.