One of the three remaining primeval forests in Europe
Biogradska Gora National Park is situated on Mount Bjelasica and covers 5,650 hectares, of which 1,600 ha form a protected primeval forest reserve. This is one of only three remaining primeval forests in Europe, with trees reaching over 40 metres in height and up to 500 years in age. The park offers gentle hiking trails suitable for all ages, Biogradsko Lake accessible right at the entrance, and trails leading to mountain katuns where you can experience authentic pastoral life. Protection of this area dates back to 1878, when King Nikola declared it a royal preserve, and it has held national park status since 1952.
Location
Bjelasica mountain, northern Montenegro
Altitude
832 – 2,139 m
Total area
5,650 ha
Virgin forest reserve
1,600 ha
National park status
Since 1952
Average tree height
Over 40 m
Highlights
Biogradsko Lake is located right at the park entrance and is the first attraction to greet visitors. Surrounded by dense primeval forest with trees reaching up to 40 metres in height, the lake offers a peaceful and photogenic atmosphere throughout the entire season. The circular trail around the lake is approximately 3.5 km long, gentle and suitable for all ages, including children and elderly visitors. During the summer season it is possible to rent rowing boats and kayaks for a trip across the calm water, which is especially recommended in the morning hours when the lake's surface is completely still.
The 1,600-hectare primeval forest reserve is the heart of the national park and one of the rarest ecosystems on the European continent. This is one of only three remaining primary forest reserves in the whole of Europe, where the trees have never been felled or altered by human hands. The trees reach heights of over 40 metres and ages of up to 500 years, forming a dense canopy forest through whose foliage barely any light penetrates. Protection of this area dates back to 1878, when Montenegrin King Nikola declared it a royal preserve, making it one of the longest-protected natural areas in the Balkans.
The trails leading from the park up to the high-mountain katuns on Bjelasica offer a unique experience of authentic Montenegrin pastoral life. The katuns are active in summer — shepherds live here, making cheese in the traditional way, spinning wool and tending their flocks. Visitors can rent horses and ride up to the plateau with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and try local specialities such as kačamak and homemade sour milk right on the spot. Along the trails grow an abundance of fresh blueberries, which are especially delicious in August — a detail rarely mentioned in tourist guides.
What to do
Gentle marked trails suitable for beginners and families with children.
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Kayaking on the calm Biogradsko Lake during the summer season.
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Rent horses at the katuns and ride up to the higher reaches of the park.
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Cycling along forest trails beside rivers and the lake.
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Fishing on the clear mountain waters within the park.
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Plan Your Visit
The park is open throughout the entire year, but access may be limited in winter. The visiting season runs from May to October.
Adult ticket approximately €5, children under 12 at a discounted price. Check current prices on the official park website.
Parking is available at the main park entrance, near Biogradsko jezero.
The circular trail around Biogradsko jezero is gentle and suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. The more demanding mountain trails are not adapted for wheelchairs.
+382 20 865 625
https://www.nparkovi.me
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