Two days on the rolling green ridges of Mount Bjelasica: summit Crna Glava, swim in Pešića Lake, spend a night in an authentic eco-katun and walk through the virgin forest of Biogradska Gora to Biograd Lake.
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Mount Bjelasica, in the heart of northern Montenegro, is the ideal mountain for a first multi-day trek: its peaks are high but rounded and grassy, the trails are clear, and every evening ends in a traditional shepherd hut (katun) with home-cooked food. On this guided katun trek you combine the best of the massif in just two days: the summit of Crna Glava, the glacial Pešića Lake and a walk through Biogradska Gora National Park, one of the last virgin forests in Europe, down to Biograd Lake.
Bjelasica is of volcanic origin, which gives it gentle slopes, countless springs and mountain lakes, and wide summer pastures where shepherds still bring their flocks every season, a way of life you share for a night at Eco Katun Vranjak. A morning transfer takes you straight up to the katun, so the whole of Day 1 is spent on the summits and at the lake.
Want more time in the mountains? Our 3-Day Mount Bjelasica Hut Trek starts with the classic climb from Kolašin, and the 4-Day Mount Bjelasica Hut Trek adds the ridge walk over Ogorela Glava and a night at Katun Goleš.
Kolašin (start & finish) – or by agreement (Google Map)
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, or by agreement for the group
The 2-Day Mount Bjelasica Katun Trek is a short guided trek in the gentle, grassy highlands of northern Montenegro. A morning transfer takes you from Kolašin up to Eco Katun Vranjak (1,750 m); from there you climb Crna Glava (2,139 m), the highest peak of Bjelasica, swim in the glacial Pešića Lake and return to the katun for a home-cooked dinner and a night in a traditional shepherd hut. On Day 2 you walk down through one of Europe’s last virgin forests to Biograd Lake, with guides, meals and transfers included. It is a perfect weekend trek for active travellers with average fitness – no technical climbing skills are needed.
Route facts (approx.): Distance 12–14 km (loop) · Ascent approx. +900 m · Descent approx. −900 m · Highest point 2,139 m (Crna Glava) · Walking time 5–6.5 h plus a long break at the lake · Difficulty: moderate (technically easy; the descent to the lake is steep)
Meet your guide early in the morning at Kolašin railway station (08:00, or as agreed) and take the transfer up to Eco Katun Vranjak (1,750 m) on the slopes of Bjelasica (approx. 1 hour, the last part on a mountain road). Your luggage travels with you. Check in at the katun, have a quick coffee and set off straight away with your trekking guide on the most beautiful loop of Bjelasica. The trail connects the picturesque Vranjak katun, the highest peak of Bjelasica, Crna Glava (2139 m), and the hidden Pešića Lake (1,838 m). Most of the route follows the Montenegrin Transversal (CT-1) over open, grassy ridges without dangerous rocks or cliffs.
Route description (summits first, then the lake):
Vranjak – Troglava (2,072 m) – Zekova Glava (2,117 m), 1.5–2 hours
From the katun a steady but pleasant climb leads up the grassy ridge. You first reach the summit of Troglava, then follow the wide ridge path to Zekova Glava, recognisable by its antenna mast. From the viewpoint just below the summit you get your first view of Pešića Lake, deep in the glacial cirque below.
Ridge walk to Crna Glava (2,139 m), 1–1.5 hours
Instead of descending straight to the lake, you continue along the ridge on the CT-1 waymarks to the highest peak of Bjelasica. This is a spectacular stretch along the “roof” of the mountain, with open views in every direction. The final climb to the dome of Crna Glava is steep but short, and from the top you look over the whole virgin forest of Biogradska Gora and the Ursulovac lakes.
Descent from Crna Glava to Pešića Lake, 45 minutes – 1 hour
After the summit you return briefly to the saddle and take the trail that drops steeply into the valley, straight to the shore of Pešića Lake (1,838 m). Take care here: the ground is steeper, grassy and stony.
Break at the lake and easy return to Vranjak, 1.5–2 hours
After a long lunch break by the water (and a swim, if you like), the return does not go over the summits again. A lower valley trail skirts Zekova Glava and Troglava on their eastern side, past the springs of the Biograd River and the Olomerska katuns. It is almost flat and gentle – ideal for relaxing your legs at the end of a long day.
Basic route information:
Starting point: Eko katun Vranjak (1,750 m)
Highest point: Crna Glava (2,139 m)
Trail length: The circular route is about 12–14 km long (depending on the return variant).
Total duration: 5 to 6.5 hours of walking
Difficulty of the trail: Moderately demanding, requires basic fitnes
Included activities:
Guided trekking tour Vranjak – Crna Glava – Pešića Lake
Optional activities:
Horseback riding on Bjelasica on request – from 45 €
Accommodation & Meals:
Accommodation: Mount Bjelasica
Tourist-standard accommodation on FB basis in a hut room at Katun Vranjak or similar
Meals: A lunch box for the trek and dinner at the katun are included; breakfast is not included today, so please have breakfast before the transfer. (Drinks NOT included)
Useful tips:
Water on the trail
An excellent source of water can be found near the Vranjak Eko Katun as well as the springs of the Biograd River below Zekova glava.
Equipment
Bring layered clothing and a windbreaker, as the weather on the ridge is changeable. Furthermore, protection from the sun is mandatory on the open parts of the trail.
Route facts (approx.): Distance 12–13 km · Descent approx. −650 m · Highest point 1,750 m (Eco Katun Vranjak) · Walking time 4–5 h incl. breaks · Difficulty: moderate (technically easy; the long final descent through the forest is steep and can be slippery)
After breakfast you set off on one of the most beautiful and varied one-way routes on Bjelasica, part of the Montenegrin Transversal (CT-1). It takes you from the high, sunny pastures past a traditional katun straight into the heart of one of the last virgin forests in Europe, in Biogradska Gora National Park. The route is mostly downhill.
Route description:
Vranjak – Katun Goleš (pastures, 1.5–2 hours)
Wide, open meadows below Troglava with soft, grassy ground underfoot and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The trail then descends gently into the hidden hollow of Katun Goleš (1,600 m), a working shepherds’ katun, where we take a longer break. Try homemade sour milk, cheese or a coffee with the local hosts (own expense).
Katun Goleš – edge of the forest
From Goleš the trail continues north-west along the edge of the ridge towards the tree line, with views over the forests of the national park below. Grass gives way to dwarf juniper and blueberries.
Down through the virgin forest to Biograd Lake (about 1.5 hours)
You enter the strictly protected virgin forest of Biogradska Gora: deep shade, cool, humid air and beech, fir and spruce trees that are centuries old. This section descends steadily on switchbacks and can be slippery after rain because of leaves and roots. Through the trees the emerald-green Biograd Lake (1,094 m) appears, and the trail ends on the footpath around the lake. From the lake our transfer takes you back to Kolašin (about 25 minutes), with drop-off in the town centre or at the railway station.
Included activities:
Guided trekking Vranjak – Biograd lake (Kolašin)
Optional activities:
The train journey from Kolašin to Podgorica
Accommodation & Meals:
Accommodation: Without accommodation today
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch and dinner not included. (Drinks NOT included)
Useful tips:
Water on the trail
Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person when you leave Vranjak. Katun Goleš is a good place to refill water and buy local food.
Equipment
Bring appropriate hiking shoes and walking poles (due to the longer descent) and layered clothing and a windbreaker, as the weather on the ridge is changeable. Sun protection, as the wind exposes the peaks.
Special information: Your main luggage is driven from Katun Vranjak to the finish point, where a person from your accommodation (or our guide) will hand it over to you at the train station in Kolašin (or as agreed). Please check that your luggage is complete and undamaged when you pick it up. If you notice anything, report it on the spot.
A pleasant continuation of your journey!
Additional information: If you haven’t had enough yet, why not join our “Active break on Montenegrin coast from Podgorica” or “Explore the Montenegrin Coast from Podgorica” tour which runs along the coast to the Bay of Kotor, all the way to Bar and Ulcinj. Alternatively, our “Exciting activities on Montenegrin mountains from Kolašin” tour goes further north to Mount Durmitor and the shores of Black Lake, ending again in Podgorica. Dates often coincide with the end of your tour.
Notable: Train journey from Kolšin to Podgorica, about 72km/1h 15mins
It is a moderate trek for people with average fitness, with no technical sections.
Day 1 is the longest: after the morning transfer to the katun you walk 12–14 km (about +900 m) over Crna Glava to Pešića Lake in 5–6.5 hours. Day 2 is a 4–5 hour descent through the forest to Biograd Lake. The highest point is the summit of Crna Glava at 2,139 m.
Yes. Children aged 7+ can join when accompanied by a parent or adult.
Solo travellers are welcome. The tour needs a minimum of 2 participants to run, and we confirm your date 30 days before departure.
The easiest way is by train: Kolašin is on the Belgrade–Bar railway line, a short ride from Podgorica.
Transfers are not included in the price, but we can arrange private transfers from Podgorica, Tivat, Budva, Dubrovnik and other hubs on request.
It starts at 08:00 at Kolašin train station and ends at Biograd Lake on Day 2. Your guide waits at the station with a Montenegro Adventure sign.
After the trek we transfer you back to Kolašin, where you can take the train to Podgorica or continue to Durmitor National Park. Your main luggage is transferred to Katun Vranjak and back to Kolašin, so you only carry a daypack.
You spend 1 night in a traditional mountain hut at Eco Katun Vranjak (or similar).
Meals follow the program: breakfast, a packed lunch for the trek and a home-cooked dinner of local Montenegrin dishes (drinks not included). A single room is available for a supplement of 36€.
Cancelling more than 61 days before arrival costs 10% of the price; 60–30 days 25%, 29–12 days 50%, and 11 days or less 100%.
Changes of date or participants are free up to 61 days before arrival. We recommend travel and cancellation insurance.
