Valići Lake is an artificial reservoir on the Rječina River in Croatia, tucked away in a green valley near the village of Grohovo. It's a scenic spot that blends peaceful nature with an interesting piece of hydro-engineering history, making it a worthwhile stop for hikers and landscape photographers alike.

The surroundings have a calm, almost rugged atmosphere - the steep slopes of the Rječina valley are covered in dense vegetation, and the water surface shifts through shades of green and blue depending on the season. In spring and summer the area comes alive with lush greenery, while autumn brings warm, golden tones to the valley. In winter, when water levels can drop, the concrete dam becomes more visible, giving the place an industrial yet atmospheric character.

How to get there

• Village of Grohovo — accessible via local road, walking time depends on chosen route, moderate difficulty
• Alternatively, reachable via footpaths along the Rječina valley

Practical information

• The dam and reservoir are part of the active HE Rijeka hydroelectric infrastructure, so access to certain areas may be restricted

The lake was built between 1964 and 1966 as part of the system supplying the HE Rijeka hydroelectric plant, with water diverted through a pressure tunnel all the way to the Zvir spring - a fascinating example of nature combined with human engineering.