Biogradska Gora is a national park located less than 20 km from Kolasin. It is one of the oldest protected natural areas in Europe with a relict forest of 86 species of trees. Interestingly, the age of some trees reaches about 1000 years. About a fifth of the plants in the national park is endemic to the Balkan region, which is unique and you will not find them anywhere else. In addition, Biogradska Gora is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which makes this place especially attractive for those who want to enjoy pristine nature and fresh air.
The main attraction of the park is Lake Biogradsko, which is located at an altitude of 1094 m above sea level. You do not have to walk to it for a long time, because when you enter the park you will immediately see it.
The most important task of this national park is to preserve nature, so it is very sensitive to this issue. Nevertheless, the park is open to all comers and offers a number of recreational options for visitors: camping, hiking and biking, boat, kayak or kayak rental, and licensed fishing on the lake.
About the national park
His story began in 1878, when this territory, freed from the rule of the Ottoman Empire, passed to the Montenegrin Prince Nikola Petrovic, who founded there princely reserve.
In 1952, the authorities of Yugoslavia gave this forest area the status of a national park. This is how the first Montenegrin National Park was founded, which is still functioning today.
It includes an area of 54 square kilometers, on which grows an ancient forest and there are 6 lakes of glacial origin: Lake Biogradsko, Lake Pešića, Veliko Šiško and Malo Šiško, Veliko Ursulovačko and Malo Ursulovačko. There are also several mountain peaks. The highest and most popular to visit are: Crna Glava (2139 meters), Zekova Glava (2117 meters), Bendovac (1774 meters).
Lakes of Biogradska Gora National Park
Lake Biogradsko
As we mentioned above, the main pearl of the park is Lake Biogradsko. It is considered the largest of the lakes in the protected area. The total area of the lake is 228,500 square meters and its depth is 12 meters.
In the summer and fall season, visitors to the park have the opportunity to take a boat ride here, as well as fishing. In the fall, the waters of the lake are filled with trout.
Bathing in the lake is designed more for fans of coolness, because even in summer the water rarely rises above 20°C. This is due to the fact that the lake is filled with waters of the cold mountain river Biogradska and Lavel spring. From the lake also flows out the river Jezerstica, which further flows into the Tara.
As for walks around the lake, the most popular route is the trail along the shoreline. It is about 3.5 km long and is suitable for visitors of all fitness levels. You will also come across information boards along the way, which will tell you a lot of interesting information about the inhabitants and nature of these places.
In winter, the lake is covered with ice and the park is closed to tourists, but here you can see deer, roe deer and other forest inhabitants.
Lake Pešica
Lake Pesica is the second largest lake in terms of area. It is located at an altitude of 1820 meters above sea level and during its maximum fill covers an area of more than 37,000 square meters. At the same time, it is more than 8 meters deep.
The lake is located near the highest mountains of the park — Zekova glava (Rabbit's head) and Crna glava (Black head).
Lakes Šiško
Big and Small Šiško Lakes (Veliko Šiško jezero and Malo Šiško jezero) are located about 12 km from Lake Biograd. They have a very small shoreline — 730 and 275 meters. At the same time, the depth of the Big lake reaches 5 meters, and the Small — only 1.7 meters.
It is worth noting that only Malo Šiško jezero is located in the national park.
Near Big Šiško Lake you can find accommodation for rest and overnight stay in the complex Koliba Simonović. It consists of 2 cottages and 4 bungalows, here you can also eat, as well as book tours for tourists.
Lakes Ursulovačko
Big and Small Ursulovačko Lakes (Veliko Ursulovačko jezero and Malo Ursulovačko jezero) are located near the highest peak of the national park Biogradska mountain — Crna glava at an altitude of 1902 meters. The distance from the top to the Lake Big Ursulovačko is only 1 km. The area of the reservoir is more than 12 thousand square meters and a depth of 8 meters.
One kilometer from the Big Ursulovačko Lake is the Small Ursulovačko Lake.
The cost of leisure in the national park Biogradska gora
Entry
- Entrance fee (including visits to the Visitor Center and educational trails) — except for children under 7 years old — 4,00 €. You can buy an entrance ticket to the national park «Biogradska gora» here.
- Entrance fee for organized groups of schoolchildren, students, pensioners, trade unions and tourist associations (including visits to the visitor center and educational trails) — if requested in writing and approved by the park director — € 1.50
Leisure
- Renting a boat on Lake Biogradsko — 8,00 € / 1h
- Guide services — € 60,00 / 4h
- Guide services — 100,00 € / 8h
- Renting bicycles — 3,00 € / 1h
- Rent of a bicycle — 10,00 € / day
- Kayak rental (single seater) — 3,00 € / 1 hour
- Rent a kayak (double) — 5,00 € / 1 hour
- Rent of snowshoes — 4,00 €/day
- Rental of walking sticks — 3,00 €/day
- Tent rental — 8,00 €/day
- Jeep tours — 20,00 €/day
- Short jeep tours — 10,00 €/day
- Daily permit for sport fishing (lake Biogradsko) — 20,00 €
- Daily permit for sport fishing (Tara river) — 20,00 €
Camping
- Use of a tent site — 3,00 €/day
- Trailer for camping — 10,00 €/day
- Use of maintained camping site (Kraljevo kolo) — 10,00 €/day
- Campfires at designated places (firewood included) — 5,00 €/day
Source: Nacionalni Parkovi Crne Gore
