The Bjelasica Mountains

The Bjelasica mountains lie in the centre of Montenegro, between the higher ranges to the west and north, and they are gentler and greener than those limestone giants. Their rounded ridges, open pastures and wooded valleys give them a welcoming character, and they contain Biogradska Gora National Park and its famous primeval forest. For walkers who want mountains without technical difficulty, Bjelasica is one of the best choices in the country.

Because the mountains are less severe than Durmitor or Prokletije, they suit a wide range of visitors. Families, casual walkers and serious hikers can all find routes, and the summer pastures that cover the higher ground add a living, working dimension to the landscape.

Rounded ridges and green pastures

The highest ground in Bjelasica consists of rounded summits and broad ridges rather than sharp peaks. In summer these become pasture, and livestock graze on the open slopes, often watched over from seasonal huts that are a traditional feature of the mountains. The result is a landscape that feels open and inhabited rather than wild and forbidding.

This pastoral character is a large part of what makes the range distinctive. It is a working upland as well as a natural area, and the movement of animals up and down the slopes marks the seasons in a way that is visible to any visitor.

Forests and water

Beneath the pastures, Bjelasica holds forests that cover much of the middle ground, and streams and springs are common throughout the range. The combination of woodland and open high ground creates the variety that walkers enjoy, with shady sections giving way to broad views and vice versa.

• The upper slopes are open pasture in summer.
• Forests cover much of the middle ground.
• Streams and springs are found throughout the range.
• The highest summits are rounded, not sharp.

The national park at its heart

Biogradska Gora National Park sits within the range and protects an area of primeval forest along with a mountain lake. The park is the focus of conservation in Bjelasica and the main destination for visitors, and its trails give access to both the forest and the surrounding mountains. As with all protected areas, rules apply and should be followed.

The presence of the park has helped keep parts of the range unspoiled, and it provides the infrastructure, information and marked routes that make the mountains accessible to people who might otherwise not venture into them.

Walking and the seasons

Summer is the main season for walking, when the pastures are green and the trails are clear of snow. Spring brings high water and fresh growth, and autumn colours the forests. Winter covers the range in snow, and while there is a ski area near the town of Kolašin, the higher walking routes are closed by the cold and the depth of snow.

As in any mountain area, weather can change quickly, and the openness of the ridges means there is little shelter on the high ground. Proper footwear, layers, water and a check of the forecast are basic requirements, and walkers should allow more time than the distances suggest.

Bjelasica in brief

Practical notes for a visit

The range is reached from the towns of the centre and the north, and the park entrance is the main gateway. Accommodation ranges from mountain hotels and resort hotels to private rooms, and the area is busier in summer and in the winter sports season. Roads generally serve the lower valleys well, but the high ground is reached only on foot.

Visitors should respect the pastures and the people who work them, keep dogs under control, close gates and take litter away. In the park, stay on marked trails, follow the rules and remember that the forest and the lake are protected precisely because they are rare.

Mountain culture and villages

The Bjelasica range is not only a natural area but a settled one. Villages and seasonal settlements are scattered through the lower valleys and on the slopes, and the herding of livestock on the high pastures is a long-standing way of life rather than a staged attraction. In summer the sound of bells and the sight of animals on the ridges are ordinary parts of the landscape.

This culture gives the mountains a human dimension that is easy to miss if one looks only at the scenery. Local food, small guesthouses and the seasonal rhythms of the pastures all add to the experience, and visitors who respect the people who work the land find the range more welcoming than a purely wild mountain would be.

Why Bjelasica is worth exploring

Bjelasica offers a softer, greener mountain experience than the limestone ranges, with open pastures, forests, streams and a national park at its centre. It is a place where serious walking and easy strolling can sit side by side, and where the living traditions of mountain farming are still visible on the slopes. For anyone who wants to see the interior of Montenegro at a gentle pace, it is an excellent choice.