From the most beautiful Montenegrin bay to the triple border, Orjen is a mountain of indescribable beauty and harsh nature

In the very northwest of Montenegro, on the triple border with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, stretches a mountain massif of indescribably unique nature, which together with Lovcen makes a kind of ring of Boka Kotor bay.

Built of karst relief and limestone, Orjen is a mountain whose present appearance was shaped during the last ice age. Its turbulent relief, carved over millennia, hides various cracks, pits, and even a real mountain amphitheater called Subra.

Subra amphitheater, Orjen, Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0

Orjen is of Dinaric origin and is the highest Adriatic mountain of its kind, stretching over 400 square kilometers. Its highest peak, Zubacki Kabao, is located at 1,894 meters above sea level, and the has six more peaks at this height.

Although Orjen is mainly characterized by steep slopes, dense beech forests can be found in the slightly lower central parts, which positioned themselves here due to snow and rain during the winter months.

Orjen, Photo: Pavle Cikovac, CC BY-SA 4.0

Its flora and fauna are made up of many endemic species, thanks to which it received the status of a Nature Park in 2018. Orjen hides munika (Pinus heldreichii), a specific conifer type of pine that requires a lot and is not present everywhere. On Orjen, despite the unfavorable conditions for its growth, specimens older than 600 years can be found.

As for animal life, Orjen is home to various mammals such as brown bears, foxes, and wolves, and of course, there are also numerous habitats of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. In the summer months, cattle can be found grazing on the lowest parts.

Orjen, Photo: Pavle Cikovac, CC BY-SA 4.0

Packed with a dense network of intertwined trails, Orjen is home to a variety of historic Austro-Hungarian roads, landmarks, and heritage. It is rich in archaeological sites, Illyrian forts, stone huts, pits, and caves like Vranjaj.

However, it is the most attractive for mountaineers and adventurers, so you will find a team trying to conquer it on every part. If you are not an expert in climbing peaks, Orjen offers opportunities such as bird watching, mountain running, and paragliding, and is also equipped with an adventure park in Vrbanje.

If you like mountains or contact with nature, definitely visit it!