Biogradska Gora is one of those places in Montenegro that deserves far more attention than it gets. While most travelers head straight for the coast, Kotor, or Durmitor National Park, this lush national park in the north of the country feels much quieter and more untouched.
We visited Biogradska Gora during our Montenegro road trip and hiked around Biogradsko Lake, which turned out to be one of the most peaceful and beautiful walks of the entire trip. The trail is easy, the scenery is stunning, and it’s a wonderful place to slow down for a few hours surrounded by forest, mountains, and water.
In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know before visiting Biogradska Gora, including how to get there, the best things to do, where to park, how long you need, and why this hidden gem should absolutely be part of your Montenegro itinerary!
Quick Tips for Biogradska Gora
- Where to stay – For our 1 night near Biogradska Gora I wanted to stay as local as possible. Hence why I booked us a stay at 🏨 Traditional House Srna.
- Must visit Places – The park’s biggest highlight is the circular walk around Biogradsko Lake. The trail is roughly 3.5 kilometers long and is easy enough for most visitors, including families with children.
- Best tours – Biogradska Gora National Park, day tour through the ancient rainforest & Kotor: Lake Skadar and Biograd Day Trip & Boat Trip
- Entrance Fee – The daily entrance fee for Biogradska Gora National Park is €4 per person. This includes access to the Visitor Center and the educational trails around the lake. Children under the 15 and individuals with disabilities enter completely for free.
What is Biogradska Gora
Biogradska Gora is one of Montenegro’s five national parks and sits in the Bjelasica mountain region, close to Kolašin. Although it’s Montenegro’s smallest national park, it covers almost 6,000 hectares and includes a large protected forest reserve.
Biogradska Gora is also one of the oldest protected natural areas in Montenegro. What makes the park especially interesting is its old-growth forest. Some trees reach more than 40 meters in height and are believed to be several centuries old. The area was first protected in 1878 and later became a national park in 1952, making it one of Montenegro’s oldest protected natural areas.
How to reach Biogradska Gora
The easiest way to reach Biogradska Gora is by car. The national park is located in northern Montenegro, around 20 kilometers from Kolašin, which is the best place to base yourself if you want to explore the area.
🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.
From Kolašin, follow the main road toward Mojkovac and look for the signposted turnoff to Biogradska Gora National Park. After entering the park, a smaller road leads through the forest toward Biogradsko Lake, where you’ll find the main visitor area, parking, the circular lake trail, boat rentals, and other basic facilities. The road from the entrance to the lake is roughly 3.5 kilometers.
💡 TIP – We visited Biogradska Gora as part of our Montenegro road trip, and having our own car made the whole trip much easier. Public transport is limited and won’t take you directly to the lake, so renting a car gives you far more flexibility, especially if you also want to visit Kolašin, Tara Canyon, or continue toward Durmitor National Park.
Best time to visit Biogradska Gora
The best time to visit Biogradska Gora is from May to October, when the park is normally accessible and the hiking trails are free from snow. Spring and early summer are especially beautiful because the forest is incredibly green, the waterfalls and streams are full, and Biogradsko Lake is surrounded by fresh vegetation.
We visited during the warmer months and hiking around the lake was absolutely stunning. July and August usually bring the warmest weather, but they’re also the busiest months, especially around the main lake and visitor area. For fewer crowds and comfortable hiking temperatures, I’d recommend visiting in June or September.
Where to stay when visiting Biogradska Gora
Traditional House Srna
For our 1 night near Biogradska Gora I wanted to stay as local as possible. Hence why I booked us a stay at Traditional House Srna.
The two bedroom apartment is located on the owner’s property and we were greeted by his mother. An incredibly kind woman who cooked us a traditional Montenegrin dish and provided Christof with some locally brewed liquor.
César on the other hand had the time of his life running after all of the chickens and playing with her grandchildren’s toy cars.
Best things to do at Biogradska Gora
1. Hike around Biogradsko Lake
The circular 3.5km hike around Biogradsko Lake was definitely the highlight for us. The trail is easy, mostly flat, and takes you through the forest with beautiful views over the lake along the way.
We did the full loop and absolutely loved it. It’s the kind of walk that feels peaceful and scenic without being too demanding, which also makes it a great option if you’re traveling with children!
💡 TIP – This trail is not stroller friendly so make sure to bring a hiking carrier with you. César did really well on the trail but there were some uneven parts with lots of rocks and roots sticking out that are a lot trickier for a toddler.
2. Rent a boat or kayak
You can also explore Biogradsko Lake from the water by renting a small boat or kayak near the main visitor area. It’s a lovely way to see the lake from a different perspective, especially on a calm and sunny day.
- Boat rental – €10 per hour
- Kayak rental (single) – €3 per hour
3. Explore the old-growth forest
Biogradska Gora is known for its ancient forest, which is one of the main reasons the national park is so special. Even if you only walk around the lake, you’ll pass through some beautiful forest sections with huge trees and plenty of shade!
4. Hike to the Bendovac viewpoint
If you’re looking for a longer hike in Biogradska Gora, the trail from Biogradsko Lake to the Bendovac viewpoint is a great option. The route climbs steadily through the forest before opening up to mountain pastures and one of the best views over Biogradsko Lake.
Depending on the exact route, you should allow around 4 hours for the full hike, with roughly 650 meters of elevation gain. It’s much more demanding than the easy walk around the lake, so proper hiking shoes, enough water, and good weather are important. The climb takes some effort, but the view from Bendovac makes it worth it.
Due to weather circumstances we weren’t able to complete this hike but I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary if you have the time!
If you have any questions about how to visit Montenegro or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Montenegro
1 Month Balkan Itinerary – Discover Bosnia, Croatia & Montenegro
Bosnia and Montenegro Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Week Balkan Road Trip
22 Beautiful Places in Montenegro you Can’t Miss
7 Days in Montenegro: The Perfect One Week Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary
13 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide
Kotor Fortress Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking San Giovanni Fortress in Montenegro
How to visit Lovćen National Park – A Complete Travel Guide
Skadar Lake Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Viewpoints & Practical Tips
Durmitor National Park Travel Guide: Best Hikes, Viewpoints & Things to Do
The Balkan Trail – A 5 Day Hiking Adventure Through The Peaks Of The Balkans
All rights reserved © Charlies Wanderings. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
Read our full story here
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.