Biogradska Gora National Park – Bjelasica Mountain
Biogradska Gora National Park is situated in the northeastern area of Montenegro, between the Tara and Lim rivers and the central part of the gorgeous Bjelasica Mountain. The Biogradska Gora National Park covers an area of 5650 hectares and is the first national park of Montenegro, established in 1952. Protection of this glorious natural region of Montenegro dates back to 1878, when Prince Nikola Petrovic ordered and played a significant role in establishing this region a protected area for the benefits and enjoyment for future generations.
The entrance to the Biogradska Gora National Park is less than 20 km away on the road between Mojkovac and Kolasin. Several mountains peaks define the edges of the Biogradska Gora forests, that are the Crna Glava /2139 meters/, Zekova Glava /2117 meters/, and Troglava /2072 meters/. Bjelasica Mountain is the greenest mountain of Montenegro, very rich with waters and due to its gentle terrains suitable for day excursions with memorable hikes even for families with children. The forests of Biogradska Gora make simply an unique natural phenomenon, situated on slopes with as much as a 1,000 meters in height difference, along with Biograd Lake’s serene beauty, that all provide an unusual variety of micro climates in a compact area. The Biograd lake is surrounded by Biogradska virgin forest, one of the two best known forests in Europe, which gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy and take photos in the shadow of centenary trees. The forests are the most important natural feature of the Biogradska Gora National Park, since the 1600-hectare woods belong to one of the three last primeval forests in Europe. Swift streams cut through the wonderful scenery of Biogradska Gora, green pastures and clear lakes reflecting forests. The Biogradska Gora National park is home to a multitude of bird species, including grouse, lark, Crested Titmouse, Yellow and Blue Titmouse, hawks, kestrels and buzzards, and the Imperial Eagle. The Biogradska Gora National Park also features an ancient cultural and historical heritage of sacred monuments, traditional architecture and preserved customs, and archaeological sites. Numerous villages and “katuns” /mountain huts/, old houses, cottages, towers, water-mills are scattered along the borders of the primeval reserve of Bjelasica Mountain. “Katuns” on the territories of Pesica rupe, Vranjak, Sisak and Vragodo are most picturesque and very attractive to visitors from all over the world. During the summer seasons the Bjelasica Mountain slopes come alive, katuns are filled with people and glades resound with the bells of “chaktars” /lead rams/. There are numerous well marked hiking-trekking trails in Biogradska Gora National Park and Bjelasica Mountain. Hikers can hike the vast area of the Biogradska Gora National Park and stunning Bjelasica Mountain in 3 days.
Uniquely wonderful are seven glacial lakes of Biogradska Gora National Park that are often used for promotion of Montenegro. They are Biogradsko Lake, Pesica Lake, two of Ursulovacko lakes and Sisko Lake. Among all lakes of the Biogradska Gora National Park, the largest one is the gorgeous Biograd Lake, at the altitude of 1094 meters. Biogradsko Lake is situated in the central part of Biogradska Gora National Park, on the place where glacier melted in the distant past and formed the water surface which covers the area up to 250000 m2, depending on the water level. The maximum depth of the Biograd Lake is 12,1 meters. Shores of Biograd Lake are about 3,5 km long. Fantastic Biograd Lake is fed with water by the Biograd River. Gorgeous Sisko Lake of the Biogradska Gora National Park is located at the altitude of 1680 meters.
Ursulovačko jezero lake is located at the elevation of 2138 meters right below the Crna glava peak which is also the highest peak of the Bjelasica Mountain. The Ursulovacko jezero Lake enchants its visitors with its surreal beauties and make them explore and take adventure to one of the most inaccessible lakes of Montenegro. Veliko Ursulovačko jezero – Large Ursulovac Lake is located close to the village of Kurikuće, and thus often also called the Kurikućko jezero. The area of Bjelasica Mountain where this lake is located is called the Ursulovac, that is how this lake got its name. Of all lakes of the Bjelasica Mountain, the Ursulovacko jezero lake is the highest, and thus it is the much colder and more transparent. The Veliko Ursulovacko jezero is located at the elevation of 1.895 meters, and it is 162 meters long and 106 meters wide. The average depth of the Veliko Ursulovacko Lake is about 3 meters, and it changes its depth according to the water level. Due to lack of vegetation and because of its rocky bottom this lake is relatively transparent. The Veliko Ursulovacko Jezero is of glacial origin and features two springs nearby, which feed the lake. The Veliko Ursulovacko Jezero Lake loses water by evaporation, as waters from this lake does not runoff to the soil surface. Malo Ursulovačko jezero – Small Ursulovac Lake is of small size and depth, and is located at the elevation of 1760 meters. The Malo Ursulovacko jezero is 1 km away from th Veliko Ursulovacko jezero. It is 175 meters long and wide some 90 meters, and deep some 3 meters. The Malo Ursulovacko jezero never gets dry, but it might disappear. Malo Ursulovacko jezero is used for watering herds of local cattle breeders.
Kolašin is place of hospitality tradition that is excellent starting point for various discoveries of this wonderful area of Montenegro, from were visitors can easily explore exceptional mountains of Sinjajevinu, Tali and Lukanje Čelo /Moračke planine and Bjelasica Mountain.
Bjelasica Mountain is surely one of the most beautiful mountain ranges of Montenegro. It belongs to the central continental region of Montenegro, located between the rivers of Lim, Ravna Rijeka Tara and Drčka river, separated from Komovi Mountains by Trešnjevik Pass. Bjelasica Mountain is placed on the east from Moraca Mountains /2226 m/, Sinjajevina /2203 m/, Vojnik /1997 m/, Golija /1942 m/, Maganik /2138 m/, on the north from Prokletije Mountains /2694 m/, Komovi Mountains /2487 m/, Kucka Krajina Mountains /2184 m/, on the west from Hajla Mountain /2403 m/, on the northwest from Mokra Planina Mountain /2003 m/, on the southeast from Durmitor Mountain-National Park /2523 m/, Maglic /2388 m/, Bioc (2397 m), Volujak /2336 m/, Ljubisnja /2238 m/ on the south from Zlatar Mountain /1626 m/ and Zlatibor Mountain /1496 m/, on the southwest from mountains in Serbia – Kopaonik /2017 m/, Golija /1833 m/, Radocelo /1643 m/, Pester /1617 m/, Cemerno /1579 m/ in Serbia. The massif of the Bjelasica Mountain is 30 km wide and equally long and features 10 peaks above 2000 meters. Geological features of Bjelasica Mountain are of volcanic origins, with smooth round shapes, large pastures and vast spaciousness of it’s mildly green rolling landscapes which make amazing scenery. There is outstanding Montenegrin Transversal 1 which goes across the Bjelasica Mountain that provides memorable hikes – Mountain Trail 1 Mojkovac /812 m/ – Brskovo /1,433m/ – Bjelogrivac /1,970 m/ – Big Šiško Lake /1,660 m/ – Big Ursulovačko Lake /1,902 m/ – Crna Glava Peak /2,139 m/.
“Pešića jezero – Pesic Lake is located at the edge of the Biogradska Gora National Park, at elevation of 1820 meters. After the Biograd Lake the Pesic Lakemakes the second largest lake of the Bjelasica Mountain. Pešića jezero – the Pesic Lake is set in one of the largest cirque of the Bjelasica Mountain, between its highest peaks: Crna glava /2.137 meters/, Zekova Glava /2.116 meters/ and Belilo /2.059 meters/. If you arrive to the Pešića jezero Lake from the Tara River valley, then the trail towards the lake leads along the valley of the Mušovića rijeka, along katuns /mountain huts/ of Vranjak and the peak of Zekova glava. Pešića jezero – Pesic Lake is 290 meters long, and its widest part is 165 meters wide. If you decide to take a walk along the Pesic Lake, have in mind that total length of its shores is some 800 meters, while in spring it reaches some 1200 meters, due to higher water level. Average depth of the Pešića jezero – the Pesic Lake is some 3 meters, and its deepest point reaches some 8 meters. There is a legend connected to this lake about the winged horse. The legend has it that the white winged horse used to rise from the lake water in nights which secretly attracted fairies by its unreal beauty”. Moja Crna Gora
The Sinjajevina Mountain is attested by analysis of the Agrokombinat 13. jul to have potential to produce 1000 tons of cheese and 750 tns of meat, 36 tons of wool, 33 tons of herbs and 4000 tons of hay in four months, with estimated proit of around 11 million EUR !
REVIEW TOURS INCLUDING BIOGRADSKA GORA NATIONAL PARK:
Mountaineering in Montenegro – heavy tour
Mountaineering in Montenegro – middle tour
