Biogradska Gora park

Biogradska Gora National Park - a great place for ecotourism! Fishing, snow-capped peaks, kayaking and bird watching

The oldest among the parks of Montenegro, Nacionalni park Biogradska gora is the smallest among natural parks but is distinguished by a wide variety of inhabitants — representatives of flora and fauna — due to the unique microclimate created by the surrounding ridges.

More than a hundred species of trees and animals have been recorded in this area! Balkan and Bosnian pine trees, yews and elms (some of them are over 1000 years old), several thousand species of animals such as deer, roe deer, European brown bear, badger and marten, common in Europe. Also wild boars, hares, and wild goats. Some exceptional species of Balkan grasses and flowering plants grow only here among moss-covered stones. Capercaillie, birds of prey — a motley buzzard, hawk, golden eagle, owls — feel great in pristine nature.

This national park is one of the oldest protected areas in the world.

The area of ​​54 km² on the territory of the Belasitsa mountain (Belasica) range includes 1,600 hectares of untouched fir and centuries-old beech forests, canyons of mountain rivers, slopes and peaks of picturesque mountains covered with plunders. The highest point - Mount Chrna-Glava (Crna-Glava, "black head") — due to the distance from the tourist routes, mainly attracts fans of quiet relaxation and mountain sports. It offers breathtaking views of the mountain ranges and Lake Biograd. This magically beautiful place at the intersection of the Lim and Tara rivers — numerous valleys and clear reservoirs — is the Biogradska Gora National Park.

"Princely Reserve" is the most appropriate name, revealing the rich history of this territory. The place was a gift to Prince Nicholas Petrovich, who took it under his control in 1878, so the nature conservation history of the park began after the victory over the Turks.

The park includes 10 mountain peaks of the Belasitsa massif with a height of more than 2 thousand meters, untouched coniferous and deciduous forests and 6 glacial lakes, five of which are located at an altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level.

It is quite cool in the summer (no more than 25 degrees), relict forests in the morning dew fascinate bytheir stately calm.

One of the most famous lakes of the park is Biogradsko Lake (Biogradsko jezero) of glacial origin, like many other lakes of Montenegro. The Biogradska River flows into the Lake Biogradsko, which flows into the Tara River after a few kilometers. Around the lake excellent hiking trails are laid .

This is the largest lake in the park, with a depth of about 12 meters — and dew to its clear calm water the slowly swimming fish is visible with the naked eye.

Note: near the lake you can stay in cottages, in wooden chalet cabins, places for camping or in a tent, paying in the administrative center.

Those who wish can take a pleasure boat and capture the unique beauty of Montenegro from the water.

In some places the wetlands of the park are equipped with wooden bridges and floorings with gazebos.

There are many types of fish in the pond; a fishing license can be purchased for the whole season or for a day.

In the remaining 5 lakes of the park you can also fish here: Ursulovatsky Lakes, Big and Small, Siskie Lakes.

Above all, at the foot of the pick Black head (Chrvna Glava), lies the glacial lake Pesitsa (Pesica) — 1800m. above sea level. This is one of the highest lakes in Montenegro! Here, in cloudy weather, close to the guests of the park, clouds driven by the wind float, and the view of the valley from such a height will remain in memory for a long time.

Interesting fact: there is a legend about a snow-white winged horse flying over the lake Pesitsa — on especially quiet mountain nights, the horse floats in the air above the lake and again goes to the depth as soon as a new day arrives.

There are no grocery stores or fast food outlets in the park; you can have dinner at a restaurant in Kolashin (Kolašin).

To the Biogradska Mountain and the lake from Kolashin you can follow the excellent hiking route through the Katun Vranjak. At Belasitsa Mountain in endless meadows there are several shepherd pastures like this Katun, and tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the environmentally friendly products of Montenegrin agriculture. About a dozen neat little houses were built — a stop in such places under the open sky in green meadows is suitable for fans of hiking or camping overnight.

You can have breakfast in the restaurant on the shore of Lake Biogradsko.

Also on Mount Belasitsa in the vicinity of Kolashin there is Katun Golesh (Goleš), a modern and equipped place for wild tourism.

National park “Biogradska gora” is open for visitors from May 1 to October 1.

Horse riding along endless winding paths will also be memorable.

Ancient peasant buildings and romantic water mills are scattered throughout the park. As in antiquity, in the mountains there are national dwellings — savardak — mountain huts made of stone in the shape of a cone with thatched roofs convey the real Montenegrin flavor. Famous among travelers, the Savardak Restaurant in Kolashin (Kolašin)is made in the same style. In 1952, Biogradska Mountain due to its exceptional ecological status received the status of a national park.

Not far from Biogradska gora is located the famous Moracha mountain monastery (Manastir Morača) built in the 13th century.