Europen Mountains, Montenegro
Durmitor
National Park

Bobotov Kuk, 2523m
Uvita Greda, 2199m
Sedlena Greda, 2227m
Zupci, 2148m
Stozina, 1905m

 


County/Municipality: -
Maps: Durmitor 1:22,000 Intersistem Kartografija
Primary factor: Bobotov Kuk: 1480m
Uvita Greda: 69m
Sedlena Greda: 320m
Zupci: 108m
Stozina: 105m
Hiked: July 2012
See also:
Montenegro, Day 1
Lovćen (Štirovnik, Jezerski Vrh, Babljak)
Prokletije (Zla Kolata, Dobre Kolata)
Velji Grad
See also : Other European mountains on westcoastpeaks.com


Bobotov Kuk

Bobotov Kuk
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in Durmitor National Park (390 kmē - founded in 1952) and is by many Montenegrins considered to be the highest peak in the country - despite the fact that  Zla Kolata (2534m), Dobre Kolata  (2528m) and Maja Rosit (2524m) are generally considered to be higher peaks. The main reason for this view seems to be that Bobotov Kuk is fully within the borders of Montenegro while the other 3 peaks are found on the Montenegro - Alabania border - in the Prokletije mountain range.

Durmitor has a number of 2000m peaks (20 exceeding 2200m) and while many of the peaks are wild and rugged, some are also well marked and quite accessible. Bobotov Kuk is a moderately difficult hike, i.e. the hike is not short (5km to the top), but the (well marked) route is not very difficult. There are several routes to Bobotov Kuk, but this site will only describe the normal route from the Sedlo pass. 

 

Uvita Greda

Uvita Greda
(Click for larger image)

 

Uvita Greda (2199m) is a characteristic peak that you pass on your way to and from Bobotov Kuk, providing that you start at the Sedlo pass. Don't be intimated by its appearance - it's actually quite an easy hike.

 

Zupci

Zupci
(Click for larger image)

 

Zupci (2148m) and Sedlena Greda (2227m) are located on the south side of Sedlo pass. A marked trail runs to the meadow between the two peaks and fades away. The route to Sedlena Greda runs up to the ridge and then passes the ridge on the right-hand side when it gets airy and exposed. The route up to Zupci is not marked and has one quite exposed point.

 

Sedlena Greda

Sedlena Greda
(Click for larger image)

 

Stozina (1905m) does not belong to the exclusive club of 2000m peaks, but is very characteristic and fun to hike. This is probably the shortest hike to a peak in Durmitor.

 

Stozina

Stozina
(Click for larger image)

 

Per July 2012, there was a National Park entry fee (2 Euros). It is not quite clear how the Government expect tourists to pay this fee, but park rangers with J.P.N.P CRNE GORE Nacionalni Park "Durmitor" on their jackets can turn up and sell you tickets. 

 

Primary factor:

The primary factor for Bobotov Kuk and Sedlena Greda (ref. the header section) has been taken from the document "The mountains of Montenegro. Volume 1: The 2000 metre Summits", compiled by Andy Tomkins. The primary factor for Uvita Greda, Stozina and Zupci was calculated based on GPS tracks.

 

 

Wild peaks in Durmitor

Wild peaks in Durmitor
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Trail descriptions

This disclaimer is regarding all of the literature and instructional guides posted on the westcoastpeaks.com website. These instructions are guidelines only, and should not be used in lieu of common sense or judgment when attempting any of the actions involved or instructed. Westcoastpeaks nor myself will not be liable nor will it indemnify any form of compensation to anyone who has injured, harmed or even killed themselves or others while following any of the instructions written within the website. It should be noted by any persons willing to undertake any of the instructions provided that mountains offer varying levels of risk, regardless of size or incline. Risks to be considered are as follows but not limited to: wild animals, weather, the terrain, bad judgment, inappropriate or insufficient equipment, improper training or experience and of course, bad luck...

 



These route descriptions are valid per July 2012

Access for all tops from Sedlo pass:

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the town Žabljak - approx. 80km north of Podgorica - the capital. Durmitor is the most popular mountain range in the country, and Žabljak is the natural starting point.

If you come from the south (Podgorica or Budva), follow E762 to Nikšić. Continue north in the direction of Plužine. After approx. 20km, turn right (east) at the Plužine/Žabljak fork. This road has recently been reconstructed and is quite good (looks very curvy and cumbersome on the maps).

3km south of Žabljak, turn left (west) at the southern Trsa/Virak exit (there are two exits - 2,3km apart). Continue 7km to the Sedlo pass (signposted Dobri Do). Park here (N43.09862 E19.05057).

 

Route 1: Bobotov Kuk (+ Uvita Greda)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2 on marked path
Comments : Light scrambling near the top
Distance : Approx. 5km to the top
Time : Approx. 3-3,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 1910m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 790m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

The route:

 

The route, as seen in Google Earth

The route, as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Follow a marked route from Sedlo pass and to the north. You have a big wall ahead of you, and the (marked) route up to the mountain plateau should be obvious. You have Uvita Greda on your right-hand side and you should also consider visiting this top on your way up or down. It might look exposed, but it's not so bad when you're up there. Uvita Greda summit (N43.10452 E19.05201) is not marked.

Once on the mountain plateau, you have another wall ahead of you. This wall has a number of wild and rugged peaks and you need to walk around this wall.

When you have Bobotov Kuk in plain sight, you must first descend to lake Zeleni Vir (2030m) before ascending the 500 vertical meters up to the top of Bobotov Kuk. Approx. 200m below the summit, the route turns west/northwest, then north and southeast before turning north again on the final yards to the summit. You might want to use your hands for balance here and there on the final 100 meters to the top. Some might find the final section a bit exposed, but the path is well worn, the route is well marked and there are handholds are plentiful.

The summit (N43.12813 E19.03477) is marked by a small cairn and a metal box.

 

Part of the route from Sedlo

Part of the route from Sedlo
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Route 2: Sedlena Greda & Zupci

Difficulty : YDS Class 2 to Sedlena Greda, 3 to Zupci
Comments : Exposed parts on both tops
Distance : Approx. 4,5km round trip
Time : Approx. 4-4,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 1910m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 550m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

The route:

 

The route, as seen in Google Earth

The route, as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Follow a marked route from Sedlo pass and to the southeast. The route passes below Zupci and its jagged neighbor peaks and takes you around them on the east side. At approx. 2095m, you descend down to 2045m and the meadow between Sedlena Greda and Zupci.

Sedlena Greda:

From the meadow, just hike straight up to the ridge if you don't find the (vague) path. Once on the ridge, follow it to the southeast and when it's time to use your hands, seek below the ridge on the right-hand side for an easier route. Those who enjoy a fun and exposed route should stick to the ridge. At least a few meters are close to what you can call a "knife ridge". The summit (N43.08800 E19.05363) is marked by a couple of rocks.

Zupci:

Return to the meadow and aim for Zupci. There is only obvious route and it is technically easy - mostly steep grass. But there is also one section which is exposed. Apply great caution here. The summit (N43.09478 E19.05071) is marked by a couple of rocks and is a great viewpoint towards Bobotov Kuk and the rest of the Durmitor peaks.

 

The route up Zupci

The route up Zupci
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Route 3: Stozina

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Comments : Easy hike
Distance : Approx. 0,75km round trip
Time : Approx. 45 minutes to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 1680m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 225m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access:

The starting point is 3,9km (road distance) east of Sedlo pass. Find parking alongside the road (N43.09292 E19.08621)

The route:

 

The route, as seen in Google Earth

The route, as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Head directly towards Stozina's west ridge and follow it up to the summit (N43.09341 E19.07941). An alternative descent route is to walk 140 meters in the direction you came, then turn right and follow grassy slopes around the mountain, descend into the pass and then down to the road (there is a vague path), from where you have approx. 1,1km back to your car.

Note that when you descend from Stozina, you're at the foothills of Šljeme (2455m) - the 3rd highest peak in Durmitor. From this peak, you can continue northwest to Savin Kuk and follow a marked route to Žabljak.

 

The alternative route up or down Stozina

The alternative route up or down Stozina
(Click for larger image)

 

Pictures and Trip reports:

 


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