Biogradska Gora National Park

Although it is the smallest surface area among the protected areas of this rank in Montenegro and occupies about 5,650 hectares, this park is one of the most precious natural pearls of Europe. The main reason for this is the strict rainforest reserve that lies within its borders — it is one of the last three remaining examples of an intact forest community on the European continent. Located in the central part of the Bjelasica mountain, between the valleys of the Tara and Lim rivers, this area has an extremely long tradition of protection that is linked to Kolašin, Mojkovac and Berane. It all started back in 1878 when, after the liberation of Kolašin from Turkish rule, the local tribes of Moračani and Rovčani presented this unique forest complex to Prince Nikola Petrović. This is how the "Knjažev Zabran" or "Branik" was created, which ranks this locality among the oldest controlled natural reserves in the world, while it received the official status of a national park in 1952. The Bjelasica mountain, on whose territory the park is located, is recognizable by its specific relief of volcanic origin with gentle, rounded shapes and traces of former glaciers. In the very heart of the park, in a deep bay at 1,094 meters above sea level, lies the beautiful Lake Biograd. It is the largest and most famous glacial lake of this massif, which is filled with water by the Biogradska river and the Lalevića stream, while the Jezerštica river flows out of it and creates a picturesque flow through rocky cuts. The lake is completely surrounded by a monumental rainforest of about 1,600 hectares where human influence has been completely excluded throughout history. The trees here go through their natural life cycle from sprouting to complete death and decay, thus maintaining a perfect ecological balance. Over 86 species of trees have been registered in this rainforest, and individual beech, fir, spruce and maple trees reach a height of over 40 meters and an age of over 400 to 500 years. Due to the specific climate and large differences in altitude — ranging from 832 meters in the Tara valley to 2,139 meters on the top of Crna Glava — the park is characterized by an incredible wealth of plants. Over 2,000 plant species grow here, which makes up a fifth of the total flora of Montenegro, including numerous rare and endemic species of the Balkans. The wildlife is equally rich thanks to the dense forests that provide ideal shelter and plenty of food for large mammals such as bears, wolves, foxes, roe deer and chamois. In addition, rivers and streams are abundant with native brown trout. Biogradska gora is also recognized as an important bird habitat with over 150 registered species, among which are rare birds of prey such as the bald eagle and hawk, as well as numerous species of forest owls and woodpeckers. On top of all this untouched nature is the wonderful cultural landscape of the Bjelasica mountain, which is reflected in the preservation of traditional architecture and the herding way of life in the high mountain katuns. During the summer months, in the areas belonging to the municipalities of Kolašin, Mojkovac and Berane, visitors can directly experience the ancient way of life of the highlanders who still practice the seasonal driving of cattle to the mountain pastures. A stay in katun offers the opportunity to enjoy the widely known gastronomic specialties of this region, among which the famous Kolašin cheese, homemade crust and traditional Montenegrin kačamak stand out.