Mrzla Vodica Lake

The smallest and least-known of Gorski Kotar's reservoirs, Mrzla Vodica ('the Cold Water') is a delightful tucked-away lake in the forest 10 km north of Fužine, created in 1953 as part of the hydroelectric cascade. It sits at 730 m elevation in a bowl surrounded entirely by dense spruce and fir forest with essentially no development — a single small guesthouse, no shops, no cafés — making it a favourite of locals seeking total peace and quiet. A 4-km loop walking trail encircles the lake, mostly through forest but with two lovely open viewpoints across the bright green water. Swimming is allowed and the water is exceptionally clean but appropriately named cold (rarely above 18 °C even in August). Fishing is permitted with a permit sold at Fužine tourist office: brown trout and grayling are both present. The tiny village of Mrzla Vodica at the eastern end has just eight houses, one working sawmill, and a rustic konoba serving grilled trout and homemade sausage on weekends only. The road up from Fužine is one of Croatia's most beautiful forest drives, especially spectacular in autumn colours.