Đevojka (Soa)

Overview

SW face of Đevojka (2440 m)


Đevojka (2440 m) (Girl)(read "Djevojka") or Soa belong to group of highest of DURMITOR peaks. Actually, Djevojka is 4th highest peak of Durmitor massif, behind Bobotov Kuk (2523 m), Bezimeni Vrh (2487 m) and Sljeme (2455 m). This peak is placed in the heart of Durmitor massif, on eastern side of famous, 2 km long and 800 m high SOA NEBESKA rocky wall, which is created by three peaks - Bobotov Kuk (2523 m), Bezimeni Vrh (2487 m) and Djevojka (2440 m). On SE side, Đevojka is separate from Stit/Sareni Pasovi (Colorful Layers, 2248 m) by impressive and beautiful Samar (2075 m) pass, which is wonderful natural door to Skrka Lakes Valley and it's entrance from eastern side.


LOCATION:

Đevojka peak is placed in area of highest peaks of Durmitor massif. As a "Girlfriend of the Lord of Durmitor" - Bobotov Kuk (2523 m), Djevojka is his closest and best friend. Also, Djevojka is "pretty sister" of second highest peak of massif - Bezimeni Vrh (No Name Peak, 2487 m). Together, these three peak as a good family create the highest crest in Durmitor massif - Soa Nebeska wall, which proudly dominate above amazing beauty of Skrka Lakes Valley which is 800 m belowe.

Djevojka is placed on SW from Minin Bogaz (2387 m), Medjed (2287 m), Terzin Bogaz (2303 m) and Savin Kuk (2313 m), on S from Obla Glava (2303 m), on E from Bobotov Kuk (2523 m), Bezimeni Vrh (2487 m), Planinica (2330 m) and Susica Cannyon, on NW from Stit/Sareni Pasovi (Colorful Layers, 2248 m) and Samar Pass (2075 m), on W from Sljeme (2455 m), Milosev Tok (2426 m), Bandijerna (2409 m) and Zupci (2309 m), on NE from Prutas (2393 m). Eastern face of Djevojka stay above Zeleni Vir (Green Vortex, 2028 m) glacial lake, while it's SW face dominate above Large Skrka Lake and entire Skrka Lakes Valley.


SUMMIT VIEW:

W view of Djevojka looks to Bobotov Kuk (2523 m), Bezimeni Vrh (2487 m), Planinica (2330 m), Mt Bioc (2397 m), Mt Maglic (2386 m), Mt Volujak (2336 m) and Susica Cannyon.

Djevojka (2440 m) from Bobotov Kuk (2523 m) summit


E view looks to Sljeme (2455 m), Milosev Tok (2426 m), Bandijerna (2409 m), Minin Bogaz (2387 m), Zupci (2309 m) and to Mt Sinjajevina (2203 m).

N view looks to Obla Glava (2303 m), Crvena Greda (2175 m) and Cvorov Bogaz (2152 m), Valoviti Do rocky basin, Crno Jezero (Black Lake, 1416 m), Jezerska Povrs (Plateau of Lakes) and to branch of Tara River Cannyon.

S view looks to Prutas (2393 m) massif , Moraca Mountains (Kapa Moracka, 2226 m) and to Skrka Lakes Valley.

S view looks to Skrka Lakes Valley and Prutas massif, while E and NE view looks to central Durmitor massif. This three views are most beautiful.

Routes Overview

DJEVOJKA (SOA, 2440 m):

~Southern approach I - (Sedlo pass - 1907 m): Sedlo pass (1907 m) - Uvito Zdrijelo (2140 m) - Surutka (2082 m) - Zeleni Vir lake (Green Vortex lake, 2028 m) - Velika Previja pass (2351 m) - Djevojka (2440 m). Time: 2.45 h to summit and 1.45 h for descend to Sedlo pass.

~Southern approach II - (Sedlo pass - 1907 m): Sedlo pass (1907 m) - Uvito Zdrijelo (2140 m) - Trojni Prevoj (Tripple Pass, 2245 m) - Zeleni Vir lake (Green Vortex lake, 2028 m) - Velika Previja pass (2351 m) - Djevojka (2440 m). Time: 2.45 h to summit and 1.45 h for descend to Sedlo pass.

~Northern approach I: Crno Jezero (Black Lake, 1416 m) - Jaksica Mlin (1425 m) - Indjini Dolovi (1750 m) - Lokvice valley (Stari Katun, 1880 m) - Korita (1900 m) - Ledena Pecina (Ice Cave, 2160 m) - Valoviti Do (2150 m) - Velika Previja pass ( 2351 m) - Djevojka/Soa (2440 m). Time: 5 h to summit and 4 h for descend to Zabljak. One day trip (9 h).

Djevojka (2440 m, right) and Bobotov Kuk (2523 m) from Prutas (2393 m) summit


~ Northern approach II: Crno Jezero (1416 m) - Jaksica Mlin (1425 m) - Korita - Ledena Pecina (Ice Cave) - Biljegov Do - Valoviti Do (2027 m) - Velika Previja pass (2351 m) - Djevojka/Soa (2440 m). Time: 5 h to summit and 4h for descend to Zabljak. One day trip (9 h).

~Skrka Valley approach: Skrka Mountain Hut (1723 m) - Samar Pass (2075 m) - Zeleni Vir Lake (Green Vortex, 2028 m) - Velika Previja Pass (2351 m) - Djevojka/Soa summit (2440 m). Time:2.5h - 3h.

Shortly about Durmitor

DURMITOR is second highest mountain of Dinaric Alps, behind Prokletije mountain. With Slovenian Julian Alps, Prokletije and Velebit, Durmitor belong to group of most beautiful mountains of former Yugoslavia.

This beautiful mountain is situated in the north-western part of Montenegro. Durmitor National Park is surrounded by deep valleys and canyons from three side - on the N by second deepest canyon in the world and deepest in Europe - Tara river canyon, on the W by nice canyon of Piva river and Pivska Planina mountain, and on the S by Komarnica river canyon. On the E Durmitor is open to huge vast plateau (grassland) called Jezerska Povrs (Plateau of Lakes), which end is on beginning of Sinjajevina mountain. Whole national park is 39.000 hectares big.

The main features of the Durmitor region is a Jezerska Povrs vast plateau 1500 meters above sea level intersected by deep canyon gorges over towered by impressive mountain peaks - 48 of which are over 2000 m (27 over 2200 m). Highest peak of massif is Bobotov Kuk (2523 m) summit.

There are 18 glacial lakes at heights over 1500 meters adding great charm to the Durmitor massif. Also, Durmitor have 748 springs of pure mountain water and forests in which some trees are more than a few hundred years old. Along its 2000 km of climbing and hiking trails you can find many caves, such as Ledena Pechina (Ice Cave, below Obla Glava peak) and cave on Vjetrena Brda.

Djevojka (2440 m, left) above Veliko Skrcko Jezero (Large Skrka Lake, 1686 m)


Among the most beautiful features of the Durmitor National Park are the sparkling waters of the rivers, carved into amazing canyon valleys. The Tara River is exceptionally beautiful, by its impressive currant, depth&landscape of the canyon, making it one of the most stunning in the world.

It is also called the "JEWEL OF EUROPE". With the length of 140 km Tara is longest river in Monte Negro. Tara river springs in Komovi mountains, near the border with Albanija, on the east of Monte Negro. It generally flows towards northwest. Its last 80 km, before it meets Piva river at Scepan Polje and they make Drina river, Tara spends in Europe’s deepest canyon, also called the "COLORADO OF EUROPE" or MONTENEGRIN COLORADO. On some places Tara canyon is 1300 m deep while below Veliki Stuoc (2104m) peak on Durmitor side of Tara’s canyon is 1600 m deep!

The natural beauty and treasures of Mt. Durmitor & the Tara river were twice awarded international confirmation. In the framework of the Project “The Biosphere and Man” the Tara River was 1977 inscribed into the ecological biosphere reservation, thus being internationally protected by internationally adopted Conventions.

Durmitorians called Durmitor mountain as "Soa Nebeska". Meaning: Durmitor peaks are so high that touch the sky - some kind of "Altar of the sky".

The Durmitor massif offers ideal conditions for mountaineering.

Mountain peaks and sides were formed by withdrawing glaciers, leaving behind them moraine wrinkles and numerous lakes.

In this area, powerful tectonic forces created a mountain world adorned with extraordinary shapes.

The Durmitor National Park was in 1980 proclaimed world’s natural good and was inscribed into the Register of World’s Natural Heritage which is part of the UNESCO.

Skrka Lakes, few steps before reaching of Djevojka (2440 m) summit (zoom)


More about Durmitor on Durmitor and Bobotov Kuk pages.

Getting There

Gateway to Durmitor National Park and Djevojka (2440 m) peak is Zabljak (1456 m) town. Information how to get there:

By Plane
~To Beograd (Belgrade, Serbia&Montenegro capital) airport. Than with plane to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, or with bus or car to Zabljak town.
~To Podgorica airport. Than with bus or car to Zabljak town.

Information about flights find on the sites of JAT Airways, a former Yugoslav airlines, or on Montenegro Airlines.

By Bus
~Beograd (Belgrade)-Zabljak
~Podgorica-Zabljak
~Niksic-Zabljak
~Pljevlja-Zabljak

Buses go to Zabljak from Beograd (Belgrade) twice a day and from Podgorica, Niksic, Pljevlja and Mojkovac several times per day.

By Car
~Beograd (Belgrade)-Zlatibor-Nova Varos-Prijepolje-Pljevlja-Zabljak
~Niksic - Savnik (47km) - Zabljak (37km): 84km; Niksic to Zabljak approach from south.
~Niksic - Savnik (35km) - Zabljak (37km): 72km;
~Podgorica - Niksic (55 km)-Savnik (47 km)-Zabljak (37 km): 139 km; Add this length if you are going to Zabljak from Podgorica via Niksic. Road to Niksic from Podgorica is good.
~Podgorica - Kolasin (71km) - Mojkovac (21km) - Zabljak (67km): 159km; road is good all the way to Zabljak. Behind Podgorica (56m) you go inside Moraca River canyon (one of spectacular Montenegrin canyons). It is up to 1000m deep and has wild sides. That's spectacular drive. After that, from "Djurdjevica Tara" bridge to Zabljak - 23 km.

When To Climb

In Mt Durmitor you can climb during all year seasons, but ideal period for climbing is mid June - mid September.

During the winter, Durmitor usually switches into ski resort. Under Savin Kuk peak (2313 m) is Durmitor Ski Center. (gondolas, ski lifts, chair lifts, restorants and their customers).

Crno Jezero (Black Lake) location is a common climbing starting point. All major trails further uphill are well marked with white circle/red border marks.

Whole Durmitor mountain is very good marked. Thanks to Branislav Cerovic, greatest knower and devoter of Durmitor National Park, who marked all routes on Durmitor mountain.

Camping

Camping permitted on camping dedicated spots only.

Major huts are in good condition, but with no service. Still, open to the general public. Hikers/climbers are supposed to bring all the jummy stuff with them.

On Durmitor exist camp in Ivan Do and Razvrsje, and few mountain huts and bivouacs:
~Hut with few small shepherd's houses in Lokvice valley
~Hut in Skrka Lakes valley (you can sleep and buy the food)
~Bivouac in Velika Kalica valley
~Hut "Mushova koliba" on the road from Zabljak to Obla Glava (2303 m) peak, near Ledena Pechina (Ice Cave) - empty simply hut from wood, without service, simple conditions...

~In Ivan Do camp price for camping is 4 Euro per day.

Also, in Zabljak town you can rent private room or apartment. Price for 2-beds apartment with kitchen and bathroom: 10-12 Euro (5-6 Euro per person).

In some villages on mountain, for example in Bosaca village, you can rent a 2-beds apartment for price 6-8 Euro (3-4 Euro per person) with free milk products every day (1 liter of caw milk).

Mountain Conditions

The best weather forecast on Internet for Durmitor (Zabljak town) is VREME YUBC NET site. You can see 5 days forecast for Durmitor area, 4-times-daily forecast.

Maps

Exist three maps of Durmitor:

1. Map of Durmitor Massif & Tara Canyon - 1:25000. Author: Branislav Cerovic. You can buy it in Zabljak town in almost every store. Price: 5-6 euro.

2. Map of Durmitor National Park & Tara Canyon - 1:25000. Author: Branislav Cerovic. You can buy it in Beograd (Belgrade, Serbia) in Geokarta Co, Belgrade. Price: 2 euro. This map is better than first one and include many informations and facts about routes, peaks, lakes, glacial cirques, valleys, canyons,...

3. Durmitor Mountain Guide & Map. Short mountain guide with some basic informations and facts. Author of map: Pavle S. Bandovic. Editor: "Summit" Travel Agency, Zabljak, 2005. Price of Guide&Map: 7 euro.

Red Tape

No fees or extra fees for entering the National Park.
No permits needed either.
Usual rules of behaviour for NPs do apply.

Images

View Đevojka (Soa) Image Gallery - 49 Images