Kolasin Nature
Kolasin Nature is a breathtaking region in Montenegro where dramatic mountain ranges, deep river canyons, and pristine lakes converge, creating a picturesque and diverse landscape ideal for nature enthusiasts and travelers.
Majestic Mountains and Peaks
In the Kolasin Nature area, various forms of relief meet, making this area one of the most picturesque and beautiful in this part of the Balkan Peninsula. Mountain crags of Sinjajevina, Bjelasica, Kljuc, Kapa Moracka, etc., stretch over this area. These mountains abound in richness and diversity of surfaces, above which appear summits mostly above 2,000 meters of height above sea level. Among the most famous ones are Jablanov vrh on mountain Sinjajevina (Poplar’s summit – 2,230 meters of height above sea level), Troglava on Bjelasica (2,075 – 2,230 meters of height above sea level), Zekova glava on the same mountain (2,116 – 2,230 meters of height above sea level), and Kapa Moracka (2,227 – 2,230 meters of height above sea level).
River Canyons and Waterways
Rivers Tara, Moraca, and their tributaries, mostly of canyon type, contribute to the special richness of Kolasin Nature. Their traits include deep incised troughs and interesting river flows, rich with rapids and waterfalls. Indeed, the beauty of Tara and its canyon valley is known worldwide. The mouth of Moraca is under the slopes of Javorje, and the length of the canyon is over 35 kilometers, with depths in certain places exceeding 1,000 meters. It is one of the most famous natural traits of this area. Steep and high cliffs rise above the fast and cold Moraca, making the experience of traveling through the canyon indescribably beautiful and unique.
From river canyons with unreal beauty, the canyon of river Mrtvica stands out. In a length of 9 kilometers, it gives pleasure to the few people who visit it during the year. The shores of the river are very steep and high, and on them, you can find numerous endemic plant species – shrubbery characteristic for this area. Until recently, this area was unknown and unapproachable, and even today, people get there down very little familiar and barely passable paths.
Lakes and Climate
On mountain Trebjes, at a height of 1,687 meters above sea level, there are Kapetanovo jezero (Captain’s lake) and Brnjicko jezero (Muzzle lake), as well as some very nice water surfaces.
Kolasin is with every right considered an air spa. A great part of the municipality’s area is located in the border zone of subtropical and mild climate zones. This in-between climate type is reflected in relatively dry and somewhat shorter summers. In the valley of the river Moraca, you can feel the influence of the Mediterranean, and the climate traits of this area are largely conditioned by the high altitude of the land and the presence of high mountains that isolate currents from the south. Fall is somewhat warmer than spring, while snow cover and extremely fresh, but rarely brusque climate are characteristic for Kolasin winters. At a height of 965 meters above sea level, all of this merges into an air spa visited by those looking for recovery and refreshment at the advice of their doctor.
Flora and Fauna
Above the crystal clear and calm lake waters, over 80 kinds of forest trunk vegetation rise up. In this rainforest reservation, forest communes of juniper and pine, sub-alps beach with Balkan maple, as well as communes of hornbeam, sesleria tenuifolia, and wild roses dominate. In the area of national park and mountain Bjelasica, on which the national park spreads further, the density and diversity of flora are characteristic. On the surface that the national park occupies and even further, in the area of Kolasin Municipality, there are about 2,000 plant species and subspecies, of which a large number are endemic. From those protected by law, we have Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea), Globe flower (Trolius europeus), Larch (Taksus baccata), Valerian (Valeriana pancicii), and many others. Of the species characteristic for this area, we have Edrianthus Montenegrinus Hora (Edraianthus jugoslavicus lakusic), Montenegrin five-fingered plant (Potentilla montenegrina Pant.), and others.
When talking about the animal life of the national park Biogradska gora, we are talking about a space of exquisite beauty and richness. From mammals, in the national park and the forests of the mountains that rise above Kolasin, you can find: dark bear, deer, doe, badger, mole, as well as numerous kinds of bats. Over 200 kinds of birds, of which many are protected species, have been registered in the national park Biogradska gora. Among the most famous are: Golden Eagle (aguila chrysaetus), goshawk, sparrow hawk, black cock, wild geese, and robin. There are several kinds of fish, which dominate in Biogradsko lake: trout, the European bullhead (cottus gobia), Thymulus (thymulus thymulus), and Huchen or the Danube salmon (hucho hucho). In the area of the national park, it is possible to find extremely rare manlike fish, pond turtle, European frog (Hyla arborea), and others. For lovers of entomology, the fact that in this reservation can be found 80 various kinds of butterflies speaks enough for itself.
Biogradska gora also has a lot to offer in terms of cultural-historical heritage. Numerous archeological localities, mostly necropolises, and folk construction dominate in the culture of Biogradsko lake. Among them, in the zone of the National Park, particularly familiar are Brskovo, Sjerogoste, Macurska graves, and others. Objects of national architecture such as cottages, huts, and watermills made of wood and stone will be interesting for every visitor.