Climb to the highest mountain of Montenegro - Zla Kolata

Zla Kolata - the highest mountain of Montenegro

Starting point

The village of Vusanje, which is the most common place from where the ascent to Zla Kolata starts. The village is situated in a mountain valley with a road leading to it from Gusinje.
 

Description of the hike

We found accommodation in one of the countless guesthouses. The conditions were still a bit Balkan, trying to be flashy with imperfections. Nearby was a red marker, though the white road on Maps.cz turned out to be a dirtier riverbed. Otherwise, it's common to walk out to the parking lot by the waterfall. Initially a dirt-forest path, then a path through the woods, coming out into a larger meadow with a sheepfold that presents itself as a bar.

For 2E they will offer you beer, cans and sheep's milk or yoghurt. A little higher up is the last well-flowing spring. After a while along a forest path, another meadow plateau with a crossroads appears. There is a possibility to turn to the Bora hill, or for the fit ones to use this way for a circular trek.

We continue to the right a bit into the rocks, but no difficult climbing. Over the meadow-rocky heights we get to the Ice Cave, which is already ice-free in August, but it is quite cool. It is possible to take a peek, but it is not advisable to venture further inside without a rope. There is a clearly visible traverse trail to the border saddle with Albania, where you could possibly cross (the trail to Valbone).

Zla Kolata looms overhead and appears quite inaccessible, but it is only an appearance. Continue a little steeper up the saddle between the Kolatas. From there, it is a grassy and rocky serpentine to the summit. It is relatively flat, with beautiful views of the Albanian part of the Cursed Mountains, etc. After descending into the saddle we still run up Kolata Dobra, where the trail is less visible, but it is possible. Then we will start the descent on the same way as the ascent.
 

Difficulty

This is a moderately difficult hike, first on a forest path, then rocky sections, no climbing. The elevation is quite high, so good fitness is required. Equipment for the ascent is classic - trekking boots, jacket, trekking poles are certainly suitable.
 

Water availability

1.5 l is enough for the trip, In the first third there is a refreshment "bar", a little above it a well, then nothing.
 

Sleeping options

In the village of Vusanje there are a number of guesthouses, as well as a campsite.
 

Mountain peaks

The route leads to the peaks of Zla Kolata 2 535 m above sea level and Dobra Kolata 2 525 m above sea level. There are beautiful sightseeing views, especially of the Albanian part of Prokletje, Maja Kolates , Maja Jezerces etc.
 

Danger

The route follows the classic mountain trail Only in a short section before the saddle is sometimes necessary manual holding. There are no difficult or dangerous sections.
 

Food

Normal equipment for a day hike, bars, snacks...
 

Attractions

On the way from the village of Vusanje there is a shepherd's bar offering "beer, beer, drink"...

On the way to the summit there is a cave called Ledova pecina at an altitude of 1 940 m above sea level. The entrance to the cave is about 3 metres high and even in summer it is pleasantly cool.