Biogradska Gora Park is a place where nature reveals itself in all its beauty, offering tranquility and peace to every visitor.
About the Park
I recently visited Biogradska Gora National Park in Montenegro. This journey left me with many vivid
impressions, and I want to share them with you.
Biogradska Gora is located in the central part of Montenegro, between the Tara and Lim rivers. The park covers an area of about 54 square kilometers. This may seem small, but believe me, there’s plenty to see here!
The park was established in 1952, but its history began much earlier. In 1878, King Nikola Petrovic of Montenegro declared the forest around Lake Biograd as his hunting grounds. Thanks to this decision, the forest has remained almost untouched to this day.
Biogradska Gora is one of five national parks in Montenegro. It is known for its pristine nature and is included in the list of important natural areas in Europe. The park is also part of UNESCO’s «Man and the Biosphere» program. This means that scientists from around the world study here how to preserve nature while developing the region.
Some interesting facts about the park:
- Biogradska Gora is one of the last places in Europe where virgin forests remain in their original state.
- The park is home to more than 2,000 plant species, including rare and protected ones.
- Various animal species inhabit this area, including bears, wolves, and various birds, making the park a true paradise for nature lovers.
- Lake Biograd, located in the center of the park, is of glacial origin and is considered one of the most beautiful in Montenegro.
How to Get There and Where to Park
Getting to Biogradska Gora National Park is quite easy, especially if you have a car. Here are a few ways:
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By car:
- From Podgorica (the capital of Montenegro), it’s about a 1.5-2 hour drive on the E65/E80 highway. View route
- From coastal cities, for example, from Budva, the journey takes about 2.5-3 hours. View route
- The main entrance to the park is near the town of Kolašin. There are signs that are easy to spot. View route
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By bus:
- Regular buses run from Podgorica and other major cities in Montenegro to Kolašin.
- From Kolašin bus station to the park entrance, you can take a taxi (about 10-15 minutes). View route
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By train:
- The Belgrade-Bar railway passes through Kolašin. It’s a scenic route, but trains don’t run very frequently.
Regarding parking, there’s a large visitor parking lot at the main entrance to the park. It’s paid, but prices are moderate. During the high season (July-August), the parking lot can be full, so it’s better to arrive early.
There are also small parking areas near some popular trails and viewpoints inside the park. But keep in mind that traffic inside the park is restricted, and some areas are off-limits to private vehicles.
If you plan to stay in Kolašin, many hotels offer transfers to the park or can advise on the best places to park.
Nature and Landscape
When I arrived at the park, I was struck by the diversity of landscapes. Here you can see high mountains, the peaks of which can be covered with snow in the winter months. There are beautiful meadows where many different flowers grow. But the main treasure of the park is its forest.
The forest in Biogradska Gora is unique. It has been preserved in its natural state for many centuries, although it has been subject to some human impact. When you walk along the forest paths, it feels like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale or traveled back in time hundreds of years.
The park is home to more than 2,000 plant species, which is a lot for such a small area. Here you can see huge trees: beeches, maples, and spruces, some of which are over 400 years old.
In spring and early summer, the park becomes especially beautiful. Many different flowers bloom in the meadows: gentians, daffodils, orchids, and many others. The brightness of colors and scents is dizzying.
Many different animals live in the park. Brown bears, wolves, and lynxes inhabit the area, although they are quite difficult to see — these animals are cautious and avoid people. Nevertheless, it’s nice to know that such rare animals live somewhere nearby in the forest.
There are also many birds in the park. Biogradska Gora is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Woodpeckers, jays, thrushes, and many other species live here. In the morning, you can hear dozens of different birds singing in the forest — a real concert!
Lake Biograd
The most beautiful place in the park is, of course, Lake Biograd. It is located at an altitude of 1,094 meters above sea level. The lake is not very large, you can walk around it in a couple of hours. But it is incredibly beautiful!
The water in the lake is clean and transparent. It appears sometimes green, sometimes blue — the color changes depending on the weather and time of day. Tall trees grow around the lake, reflecting in the water. It feels like you’re looking at a painting, not a real landscape.
I walked a lot around the lake on wooden walkways. This is very convenient — you can walk and admire the views without fear of getting lost or damaging nature. The walkways offer beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding forest.
The lake is especially beautiful early in the morning. I specifically got up before dawn to see nature wake up. When the first rays of sun illuminated the water and forest, it was like magic. The water in the lake was like a mirror, reflecting the sky and trees. I will remember this sight for the rest of my life!
Mountain Hikes
Besides walking around the lake, I decided to climb one of the mountains — Belasica. It was not an easy task! The ascent took almost the whole day and was quite difficult. But it was worth it!
From the top of the mountain, there’s a stunning view of the entire park. You can see Lake Biograd, which looks tiny from above. All around is an endless sea of greenery, and in the distance are the snow-capped peaks of other mountains. I spent more than an hour at the summit, admiring the views and taking photos.
Descending from the mountain was easier than climbing up, but also interesting. Along the way, I saw many beautiful places, small mountain streams, and beautiful flower meadows.
You can learn more about Mount Belasica in this article .
Other Activities in the Park
Besides hiking, there are many interesting things to do in Biogradska Gora:
- There are trout in the lake, and you can try to catch them. You’ll need a daily permit for sport fishing. Check the details at the park’s information center and don’t forget to follow the rules! There are trout in the lake, and you can try to catch them. You’ll need a daily permit for sport fishing. Check the details at the park’s information center and don’t forget to follow the rules!
- This is a special village that shows how people lived in these places in the past. You can see old houses, try making various things by hand, and taste local food. This is a special village that shows how people lived in these places in the past. You can see old houses, try making various things by hand, and taste local food.
- There are special trails in the park suitable for bike rides. Renting bicycles is a great way to see many beautiful places in one day. Additionally, There are special trails in the park suitable for bike rides. Renting bicycles is a great way to see many beautiful places in one day. Additionally, are available for those who prefer guided adventures through the park’s scenic routes. are available for those who prefer guided adventures through the park’s scenic routes.
- You can enjoy the beauty of the lake from the water by renting a boat or kayak. You can enjoy the beauty of the lake from the water by renting a boat or kayak.
Tips for Those Who Want to Visit Biogradska Gora
If you’ve decided to visit this beautiful park, here are some useful tips that will help make your trip more comfortable and memorable.
The best time to visit Biogradska Gora is from May to September. During this time of year, the weather is usually favorable — not too hot and not cold. However, keep in mind that in July and August, the park can be crowded with tourists.
Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers or light hiking boots will be the ideal choice, as they will be comfortable for walking on forest trails and climbing mountains.
Also, don’t forget to bring warm clothes, even if you’re going in summer. In the mountains, the weather can change very quickly, and it can be quite cool in the morning or evening.
It’s important to respect the nature of the park. Don’t litter, don’t pick plants, and try not to make noise. Remember that you are a guest in nature, and you should care for its cleanliness and well-being.
Be sure to visit the park’s information center. There you can get a map, learn about interesting routes, and get useful advice from park staff.
If you plan to stay overnight, try to book accommodation in advance. This is especially relevant in the summer months when the number of tourists increases. There are several small hotels and camping sites in the park.
Don’t forget to bring a camera or a good phone for photos. The park is very beautiful, and you’ll definitely want to capture many moments for memory.
If possible, come to the park in different seasons. In spring, many flowers bloom here, in summer you can swim in the lake, in autumn you can enjoy beautiful yellow and red leaves, and in winter the park turns into a snowy fairy tale place.
Super List of Recommendations
- Come from May to September, but keep in mind that there are many tourists in July and August.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or light hiking boots).
- Bring warm clothes — the weather in the mountains changes quickly.
- Don’t litter and don’t pick plants.
- Stop by for a map and useful tips.
- Don’t forget a camera or phone for pictures.
Conclusion
The trip to Biogradska Gora National Park left me with the best impressions. It’s a place with amazingly beautiful nature. Here you begin to truly appreciate the beauty of untouched forests, clean lakes, and majestic mountains.
When you walk through the old forest or look at the lake, it seems that time has stopped. You seem to enter another world where there’s no rush, no noise of cities, and no problems. Here you can rest not only your body but also your soul.
Biogradska Gora is a real treasure that needs to be cherished and preserved for future generations. Everyone who visits here understands how important it is to protect nature.
I left the park with a feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to see such beauty. And with a firm intention to return here again. After all, there’s still so much interesting in Biogradska Gora that I didn’t have time to see and learn!
If you have the opportunity to visit this beautiful corner of Montenegro, be sure to do so. I’m sure this trip will stay in your memory forever, as it has stayed in mine.
