Glacial lake on Bjelasica, 1,660 m above sea level
Veliko Šiško Lake is situated in the central part of Bjelasica mountain, in an area known as Šiška planina, at an elevation of 1,660 m above sea level. The lake is of glacial origin and receives water from snowmelt, atmospheric precipitation, and occasional tributaries. It is approximately 400 m long and 140 m wide, with a depth reaching 3 m at high water levels. It is surrounded by katuns and forest, and about 1 km to the south lies Malo Šiško Lake, known for its intensely green water. Šiško Lake is the starting point for hiking routes that connect all the glacial lakes of Bjelasica, including Biogradsko, Ursulovačka, and Ševarinsko lake.
Location
Bjelasica, Berane Municipality
Elevation
1,660 m
Lake dimensions
400 × 140 m
Lake type
Glacial
Visiting season
June — October
Distance from Berane
20 km
Highlights
A lake of glacial origin situated at 1,660 m above sea level in the Šiška planina area, the central part of Bjelasica. It is approximately 400 m long and 140 m wide, with a maximum depth of 3 m. It is surrounded by mountain katuns and dense forest whose canopies take on spectacular colours in autumn. The water is fed by snowmelt and rainwater, and the level varies throughout the season. The lake is accessible by gravel road from the village of Kurikuće, making it one of the few glacial lakes in Bjelasica that can be reached by car.
Located 1 km to the south of Veliko Šiško Lake, at an elevation of 1,780 m, Malo Šiško Lake is known for its intensely green water colour that visually sets it apart from all other lakes on Bjelasica. It is more modest in size — approximately 105 m long and 65 m wide — but it is precisely this compactness and the lush vegetation along its shores that make it particularly striking. The area around the lake is covered with pasture vegetation, and the livestock shelters and katuns give it an authentic mountain atmosphere. It is easily reached on foot via a circular trail from Veliko Šiško Lake in about 30 minutes.
A marked circular trail of 9.2 km starting from the katun Šiška at 1,680 m, passing Veliko and Malo Šiško Lake, ascending to Jusin brijeg at 1,956 m — the highest point on the trail — then descending to Ursulovačka lakes at 1,902 m and returning past Ševarinsko lake. The trail is rated as moderately difficult, with a total ascent of approximately 276 m, and takes about 3 hours to complete. All the key peaks of Bjelasica are visible from the trail: Crna glava (2,137 m), Zekova glava, Troglava, and Strmenica. There are several drinking water sources along the trail, including a spring at the katun Šiška at the very start.
Just 20 km from the starting point for Šiško Lake, in Berane itself, stands Manastir Đurđevi stupovi, built in the mid-13th century. This monastery is one of the finest and most significant preserved examples of medieval construction in Montenegro. The town of Berane lies on the banks of the river Lim, and its rich cultural and historical heritage justifies its epithet as a city resting on the Holy Waters of the Lim. Combining a visit to the monastery with a trip to Šiško Lake makes for an ideal full-day itinerary from Berane.
What to do
A 9.2 km circular trail from the katun Šiška connects Veliko and Malo Šiško Lake and takes about 3 hours.
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From the rises on both sides of the lake, views open up over the alpine landscape of Bjelasica and the mountain peaks.
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The area around the lake is rich in mountain flora and fauna, and katun homesteads are located nearby.
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Šiško Lake is a waypoint on transversal trails connecting Biogradsko, Ursulovačka, and Ševarinsko lake.
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Overnight stays in authentic mountain cabins are possible at the surrounding katuns, with home-cooked food and drinking water at the spring.
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Plan Your Visit
Admission
Besplatan pristup
Dostupno tokom cijele godine; optimalni pristup od juna do oktobra
Neformalno parkiranje kod katuna Šiška i pored makadamskog puta do jezera
Nije prilagođeno za osobe sa smanjenom pokretljivošću — pristup isključivo pješačkim stazama i makadamskim putem
https://turistickaberane.me/prirodne-ljepote/siska-jezera-veliko-i-malo/
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