Trakošćan was built in the late 13th century as part of the defense fortification network of northwestern Croatia. A small fortress was an observation post overlooking the road from Ptuj (Slovenia) towards the Bednja Valley (Croatia).

It was a sunny early winter afternoon. Our walk was seven kilometers of pure joy: the forest reflected in still water, the old castle on the hill, the first winter snow, and the air full of freshness. There is no need to say more – look at the pictures!

From the official site of Trakošćan Lake and Castle:

“The forest around the lake and the landscaped area of the park are protected and preserved parts of the once-large estate of Counts Drašković that form a historical and natural whole. The park forest is rich in diverse flora and fauna: the abundant vegetation and the lake create a harmonious horticultural environment. In the second half of the 19th century, the immediate surroundings of the castle were landscaped, and a romantic park that mimicked nature was created, giving an appearance of spontaneity in the organization of the environment. In that period, it was also created the Lake Trakošćan with a dual function – economic, as a fishpond, and aesthetic, as a decorative element common in romantic park architecture. It has a surface of 17 ha (42.5 acres), a length of 2 km, and an average depth of 2.5 m.

The educational pathway around Lake Trakošćan is known as the Faerie Path. The promenade is about five kilometers long, and the sightseeing takes about two hours of slow walking. It includes twenty informative points that provide general information about the area’s natural values and curiosities, while the Fisherman’s House on the Lake and its surroundings offer a place for a break during the sightseeing.”