Summer Sinjajevina Marathon

The Summer Sinjajevina Marathon is a one-day crossing of Sinjajevina — the largest mountain pasture plateau in Europe — organized each summer by a local NGO. On one summer Saturday, cyclists and hikers gather on Žabljak's Trg boraca for a 6 AM start, then head out across the vast grasslands toward Vrtoč polje.

Sinjajevina is one of Montenegro's least-sung wonders: a vast, treeless upland of grass, hollows and sky stretching away to the south of Durmitor. There are no resorts here and few roads — just pasture to the horizon, which is precisely what makes crossing it under your own power so memorable.

The dawn start is part of the experience: participants roll out of town as the light comes up over the plateau, then spend the day crossing an open highland landscape of pasture, sky and scattered flocks. Along the route, the marathon stops at katuns — the traditional summer shepherd settlements that still operate across Sinjajevina — turning the day into a moving tour of a living pastoral culture.

This is not a timed race so much as a shared adventure. The field mixes mountain bikers and hikers, locals and visitors, and the katun visits give everyone a reason to pause, meet the shepherds and taste highland hospitality along the way.

Participants should come self-sufficient in spirit: this is a community event rather than a supported sportive, and part of its charm is that the plateau sets the terms. Sturdy tyres or boots, sun protection and a jacket for the wind cover most eventualities; the katuns take care of morale.

The event starts at 6 AM from Trg boraca in Žabljak and finishes at Vrtoč polje on the plateau. Participation is free or carries only a low registration fee, in keeping with its grassroots, NGO-run character.