Orjen Nature Park

This nature park includes the Montenegrin part of the mountain massif of the same name, which is the highest mountain in the entire coastal Dinaric chain. It is located in the southwest of the country, in the hinterland of Boka Kotorska, and it belongs entirely to the territory of the municipality of Herceg Novi. It was declared in order to preserve its harsh and unique landscapes of the coastal karst, but also the incredible wealth of flora and fauna. Orjen is a real place of contrast - a mountain where the warm Mediterranean air directly meets the sharp and cold mountain peaks. What immediately catches the eye when looking at the relief are the striking, exposed limestone peaks, among which the Zubadacki Kabao rises the highest at 1,894 meters above sea level. This massif is known in geography as a textbook example of the so-called "angry karst" - an area full of deep pits, caves, scarp and harsh rocks that were shaped by heavy rains and former glaciers over the centuries. It is interesting that Orjen is one of the rainiest areas in Europe. However, because limestone rocks are extremely porous, all that water quickly sinks into the interior of the earth. That's why there are no rivers and lakes on the mountain itself, but that's why the foothills in the municipality of Herzegnov are rich in underground springs. Due to its specific location just above the sea, the Orjen Nature Park is a real botanical treasure. A huge number of rare plants grow on its slopes, and the absolute symbol of the mountain is the endemic munica pine. It is an ancient, relict species that thrives on the harshest rocky cliffs and defies strong coastal winds. A little lower, the park is adorned with beautiful, dense forests of beech and fir. The wildlife is also rich, so this karst provides a safe home for wolves, chamois, foxes and rabbits, while in the sky above Orjen you can often see falcons and eagles. The history and culture of this region are inextricably linked to the hinterland of Herzegovina and testify to how man lived with raw stone for centuries. An incredible network of old Austro-Hungarian foot and cart roads, stone clearhouses and fortifications runs through the entire park, which today serves as a great hiking trail. The traditional way of life is still preserved in the villages of Podorje through the authentic architecture of stone houses and dry walls - old skills of building in stone without any binding material. A visit to Orjen is the perfect opportunity to feel the original hospitality and taste the local products of this region, such as the famous Podorjen cheese, honey and dishes prepared under the sun.