Krtolijada
The third Krtolijada of Orjen Nature Park, on 18 October at Vrbanj above Herceg Novi: a walk on the Health Trail, a raštan cook-off and a potato relay race.
The third edition takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026 at the Nature Park’s information and education centre at Vrbanj, a mountain village above Herceg Novi at about 1,000 metres. The day starts at 9:00 with an easy walk on the Health Trail; from 11:00 teams cook raštan, a local leafy cabbage, and compete for the best dish. The band Trio Mare plays from noon, the competitive potato relay follows at 13:00, and the winners of the cooking contest are announced at 14:00. “Bring your family, an empty stomach and a good mood,” say the organisers. If the weather is bad, Krtolijada moves to the following Sunday, 25 October.
The Health Trail starts at the information centre itself. The whole trail is 8.4 km long, with about 150 m of ascent and the same of descent, through the woods and plateaus of Žukovica and Vučji do. The Nature Park recommends it to anyone with basic walking fitness; bring mountain footwear and a warm layer, as Vrbanj is cooler than the coast.
The first Krtolijada was held in September 2023 in the village of Kameno, as a fair of home-grown potatoes and autumn produce with growers from the Herceg Novi hinterland, Nikšić and Trebinje. The second, in October 2024, moved to Park Boka in the centre of Herceg Novi, with around thirty exhibitors announced and workshops for children. The third edition moves up to Vrbanj, inside Orjen Nature Park.
Vrbanj is reached by car on the road from Herceg Novi; no organised transport has been announced. For information, contact Orjen Nature Park on +382 67 933 993.
What to expect
Raštan cook-off
From 11:00 teams cook raštan, and the best dish is announced at 14:00.
Potato relay
The competitive relay starts at 13:00; the organisers’ advice: bring your trainers.
Health Trail walk
The day opens at 9:00 with a walk on the trail that starts at the Orjen Nature Park centre.
Music in the mountains
The band Trio Mare plays from noon.
Back-up date
If the weather is bad, the gathering moves to Sunday 25 October.
What happens when
October 18, 2026 · 09:00
- 9:00Meet at the information and education centre at Vrbanj and an easy walk on the Health Trail
- 11:00The cooking starts: contest for the best raštan dish
- 12:00Live music by the band Trio Mare
- 13:00The competitive potato relay (Štafeta sa krtolom)
- 14:00Winners of the best raštan dish announced
- Bad weatherIf the weather does not allow it, Krtolijada takes place on Sunday 25 October
Where it takes place
Where to Eat in Herceg Novi
Plan your stay
Herceg Novi — where to stay and how to get around
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More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Maslinijada (Olive Festival)
Stari Bar's olive fair — 70 exhibitors, oil awards and live music in the old bazaar, late November.
Wine and Bleak Festival
Traditional festival of wine and lake fish in Virpazar on the shore of Lake Skadar, in the heart of the Crmnica wine region.
Žućenica Fest
Tivat's 20-year-old gastro feast of wild chicory — tastings, awards and klapa on the waterfront.