Lola

Overview

MORAČKE PLANINE range is placed in the central part of Montenegro. This mountain range is structured from few beautiful and impressive mountains as are Kapa Moračka, Lola, Stožac, Tali, Lukanje Čelo, Štit and Žurim.

Lola massif represent one of the best known mountains of wider Moračke Planine range. Lola massif is structured from few peaks higher than 2000 m. Best known from them are Veliki Zebalac (2129 m), Mali Zebalac (2073 m) and Borova Brda (2006 m). Of course, the highest peak of Lola massif is Veliki Zebalac. All these three peaks are connected between themself, so is it possible to traverse these three summits in one day tour.

View from the summit of the highest peak of Lola - Veliki Zebalac is fantastic, specially in NW direction to impressive DURMITOR range. Of course, Veliki Zebalac offer nice view to close Kapa Moračka, Lastva and Zagradac peaks. On the summit of Veliki Zebalac you can enjoy and rest on the grassy ground.

Routes Overview

ROUTE 1

Krnovo plateau (1427 m) - Ivanbegov katun (1872 m) - Crveno Ždrijelo Pass (1942 m) 30 min - Veliki Zebalac summit (2129 m) 1.30h - Vragodo katun (1660 m) 3h - Grlo spring (1442 m) 30 min

Height difference: +257m, -687m
Lenght: 13.5 km
Duration: 6h
Unmarked trail

Access: By car from Nikšić across the Krnovo Plateau, on a narrow asphalt road to the cafe of Mr. Radovan Đukanović, then taking the gravel road 12 km to the Ivanbegov katun. The beginning of this trail is from the pond under a huge boulder where Ivanbeg's rose grows even today, after more than 500 years since it was planted. Or so says a beautiful old Montenegrin legend. Slowly ascend past the Crveno Ždrijelo Pass (Red Gap)(viewpoint), then on a visible caravan - footpaht through the abandoned Podzebalački Katuni, to the Mali and Veliki Zebalac Pass (at the bottom is a spring). Then climb by a steep ledge southeasterly to the Veliki Zebalac summit (2129 m). Descend encircling this peak northward, and then southward through the other side to the edge of the plateau and the Podzebalački Katuni. The barrier of the Vragodo glacial cirque makes the Štit summit's south side, with Šuplja Greda as the north. Cross long steep rocks and rock falls between the two peaks, descending back to the Vragodo katun, that's the source of the Morača River.

ROUTE 2

Strug (1475 m) - Popov Do (1750 m) 1h - Borova Brda summit (2006 m) 45 min - Mali Zebalac summit (2073 m) 45 min - Veliki Zebalac (2129 m) 1h: 3.5h

Height difference: 654 m
Lenght: 12.5 km
Duration: 3.30h
Unmarked trail

Access: By car from Šavnik along a narrow asphalt road, across the Malinsko plateau, to the villages of Bijela and Strug. At the end of the asphalt road, near the cemetery and little chapel at Strug is also the beginning of this route, which leads through Biovska Strana southeastwards to the Popov Do katun (a spring and viewpoing). The meadow slopes trail gradually goes southeast and passes one summit after another. There are three peaks at over 2000 meters that can be traversed in one day. On the top of Veliki Zebalac summit, there is a box and registration book.

Getting There

By plane:
The closest airport is the one in Podgorica (70km away).
If you are planning to come via Serbia, you can use the Belgrade (Beograd) Airport in Beograd (Belgrade) city, capital of Serbia and Montenegro.
Information about flights and tickets on JAT Airways web page.

By train:
Beograd - Bar (Bar - Beograd) railway passes through Mojkovac and Kolasin. Then by car or taxi from Kolasin to Podgorica - Nikšić - Krnovo plateau - Ivanbegov katun

By Bus:

From Beograd (Belgrade):
Beograd (Belgrade) - Cacak - Uzice - Zlatibor - Nova Varos - Prijepolje - Bijelo Polje - Mojkovac - Kolasin
Then by car or taxi from Kolasin to Podgorica - Nikšić - Krnovo plateau - Ivanbegov katun

From Podgorica:
Podgorica - Kolasin
Then by car or taxi from Kolasin to Podgorica - Nikšić - Krnovo plateau - Ivanbegov katun

For the bus tickets and informations about but lines see Belgrade Bus Station page.

By car:

From Beograd (Belgrade):
Beograd (Belgrade) - Cacak - Uzice - Zlatibor - Nova Varos - Prijepolje - Bijelo Polje - Mojkovac - Kolasin - Podgorica - Nikšić - Krnovo plateau - Ivanbegov katun

From Podgorica:
Podgorica - Kolasin - Gornje Lipovo - Klisura (1189 m)

- Mojkovac - Kolasin road goes from the E side of the Moraca Mountains
- Mojkovac - Djurdjevica Tara road goes from the NE side of the Moraca Mountains
- Djurdjevica Tara - Savnik road start from the NW side of the Moraca Mountains (lower quality of the road)
- Savnik - Kolasin goes on the SW side of the Moraca Mountains

You should drive along the central Montenegrin highway, which connects the seaside to the towns: Cetinje - Podgorica - Kolasin - Mojkovac - Bijelo Polje; and goes on to Serbia (Belgrade city). This road is passable during most part of the year. It is closed only in case of abundant snowing or great rockslides. The landscape along the highway is particularly picturesque in the segment of the Moraca River Canyon between Podgorica and Kolasin. This part of the canyon is called “Platije”. The highway is built along the edge of the narrow canyon. Thus, you can enjoy in observing the beautiful contrast between steep, dark cliffs and light, green river, while round, white peaks of Bjelasica glow in the distance. At moments, this beauty becomes scary!

Camping

The most optimal place for camping below Lola massif and its highest peaks Veliki Zebalac (2129 m) and Mali Zebalac (2073 m) is beautiful grassy vasty plateau called Podzebalački Katuni where are placed some shepherd's lodges. Here you can freely put your tent and create your base camp. Also, you can choose from many placed inside of Moračke Planine range to create a base camp, for example near Kapetanovo Jezero lake or Manito Jezero lake. Finally, you can use empty shepherd's lodges for stay inside.

Meteo Info

Before you visiting Moračke Planine range and Lola massif, check the Meteo Info for Nikšić town.

Red Tape

No extra fees.
Usual rules of behaviour for NP's do apply.

Images

View Lola Image Gallery - 12 Images