Biogradska Gora National Park, located in Montenegro, is one of Europe’s last three large virgin forests and one of the oldest national parks in the Balkans. It was proclaimed a protected area by the royal Petrović-Njegoš family back in 1878. Some of the key features of Biogradska Gora National Park include its virgin forest and rich flora and fauna, numerous mountain lakes and rivers, mountain peaks and the views they offer, and the rich cultural heritage of mountain pastures and shepherds.
I have visited this national park numerous times, in different seasons of the year. Each season has something nice to offer to nature lovers and photographers. I loved spring with its lush greenery and plentiful waters. Summer is great for hiking and experiencing the genuine hospitality of mountain shepherds. My favorite time to visit, however, is autumn, when the forests and hillslopes turn into a wide display of colors!
Below, you will read about two places I enjoyed the most in autumn. There is still a lot to explore in this magical place. I intend to return and spend more time in the forests, lakes, and mountains of Biogradska Gora! And then there is still winter, a season I haven’t experienced there yet.
Biogradsko Lake in Autumn
Biogradsko Jezero (Lake) is probably the most popular location within the park. It is situated within a pristine virgin forest at an altitude of about 1100m above sea level. The lake is easily accessible by a paved mountain road, and there are picnic tables and a cafeteria at the beginning of the lake. In summer, it is possible to rent a rowboat. However, the best way to experience the lake is by a beautiful forest trail that runs all around it. All of the photos below were taken from the trail. It takes less than an hour to walk around without stopping. However, photographers can spend hours exploring and photographing nature details along the way!
When I took those photos above, the lake surface was choppy from the wind. So, I focused on forest details, which were so captivating that I spent hours photographing. Later, towards dusk, the lake became calm, and mists started to appear – as seen in the first photo.
Biogradska Gora – Autumn Colours of the Mountain
Another notable feature of Biogradska Gora is its mountains. While there are other, much higher mountains in Montenegro and the surrounding area, here you will find beautiful mountain meadows, gentle rolling hills, and beautiful small mountain lakes. In summer, these areas are mostly pastures for cows and horses, and everything is lush and green. But in autumn, the color palette becomes almost unreal. Check the photos below, and you’ll agree with me!
All of the above photos were taken around the peaks of Troglava (2072m above sea level) and Zekova Glava (2122m above sea level). I have been there twice during my workshop. We hired 4×4 cars to take us up, and we visited several viewpoints. Two of my favorite places were a viewpoint towards Biogradsko Jezero and one towards Pešića Jezero. Next time I visit, I plan to spend more time in the mountains and do more hiking within and above the forests. The road up is rough, and it takes a proper off-road vehicle to drive it.
Conclusion
Montenegro is a wonderful destination to visit for autumn colors. Most of its north offers great photographic opportunities; however, Biogradska Gora is one of the best and most diverse places of all. It’s diverse both in the color palette and in the photography subjects it offers. Allow at least a couple of days to explore the area. Dedicate one day to Biogradsko Jezero and another to the peaks and mountain lakes.
Every year, I run a photography workshop in the Mountains of Montenegro. Usually, it’s once a year in late spring/early summer, and the other time in autumn. Both seasons are fantastic for their own reasons, and I wouldn’t favor one over the other. You are most welcome to join me. Montenegro is my second favorite country for photography – after my home, Slovenia!
