Čogrljevo jezero

Five small springs feed the lake, which spills over the dams as a waterfall and then goes on to form a stream.

Čogrljevo jezero is surrounded by picturesque conifer forest, which rounds off the atmosphere so typical of Gorski kotar. Everything listed so far sounds like the recipe for an exceptional place — were it not for one “but”.

The water of the lake once powered a small sawmill and a mill, but all those buildings on the approach to the lake are now mere ruins, and combined with the crudely dug-out clearing on the way in, which now serves as an improvised car park, they leave a somewhat ugly mark on an otherwise very idyllic landscape.

The lake reminded us a little of Šmitovo near Ogulin, but the setting of Šmitovo jezero is undamaged and very thoughtfully tended, so when it comes to the overall impression the higher mark definitely goes to Šmitovo.

A well-trodden circular forest trail with little bridges runs around the lake

Čogrljevo jezero is a location with great potential. Unlike some other gems of Gorski kotar such as Vražji prolaz (the “Devil’s Passage”) or Kamačnik, Čogrljevo jezero in its present state is not something worth travelling across the country for, but if you find yourself on the stretch between Vrbovsko and Brod Moravice it is certainly worth your time. The peace, the quiet and the magic of Gorski kotar make up for what man has taken from nature.