Biogradska Gora

Biogradska Gora protects one of the last sizeable untouched old-growth forests in Europe, a stand that was never logged because a nineteenth-century prince declared it protected, making it one of the world's earliest conservation areas. At its heart sits Biogradsko lake, a glacial pool circled by an easy boardwalk trail, with beech, fir and maple around it some of which are centuries old and enormous. Trails climb from the lake into the Bjelasica mountains, past katun shepherd huts and other smaller glacial lakes, and the whole park is compact enough to enjoy without serious planning.

History

In 1878 people from Morača and Rovca presented part of the forest to Nicholas I of Montenegro, and it was protected as the "Bulwark of King Nicholas". It was proclaimed a national park in 1952, and UNESCO added it to the Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1977 (Wikipedia, Biogradska Gora).

What's there

• Biogradsko lake - the flat loop trail around the glacial water.
• The old-growth forest - centuries-old beech and fir along the shore paths.
• Bjelasica trails - climbs to katun huts and higher lakes.
• Autumn colour - the beech forest in October.

When to go

May to October is the accessible season, with wildflowers in early summer and outstanding beech colour in October. Winter brings snow and the road to the lake often closes; Kolasin nearby becomes a ski base instead.

Practical notes

The lake loop is short and gets busy on summer weekends with day visitors and rowing boats - the forest quiet returns fifteen minutes up any of the climbing trails. Facilities are basic: a small restaurant, huts and camping at the lake. The park is small compared with Durmitor and works best as a half-day stop on the way north rather than a destination in itself.

Nearby

Kolasin town, the Tara canyon and Durmitor further north-west.

Key facts