Štirinsko Lake is a natural, glacial lake on Zelengora, in Sutjeska National Park in Republika Srpska, and the largest lake on the mountain. It covers about 0.13 km² and lies below the peaks Dumoš, Todor and Osredak, with stećci, medieval tombstones, in its vicinity. Its shores slope gently and are covered with yellow-grey sand and stones, ringed by a belt of water plants, and marsh vegetation covers part of the lake. Lake charr, carp and brown trout live in it, and Californian trout were introduced. This part of Zelengora is rich in blueberries, which in August draw many pickers as well as nature lovers and adventurers.
History
A necropolis of about 80 stećci, medieval tombstones, lies between Klek and the lake, and the ruins of the old Štirine katun, a summer shepherds’ settlement, stand nearby.
Nature
Peaks above 1,700 m surround it, yet the lake feels part of a gently rolling landscape. Wild ducks come to the lake and small warblers are common on the pasture around it.
Visit
Swimming
No reliable information
Tips
The largest lake on Zelengora is also shallow, with a muddy shore that limits swimming; it is a better place to sit by the water. The walk from Orlovačko crosses pastures and forest and follows a narrow valley between Kalelija and Osredak. Beyond the lake, a notch to the north-west and rocky ground with sinkholes lead into a green valley and on to Kotlaničko, about an hour away.
The lake is also on the park’s guided four-lake walk with Kotlaničko, Borilovačko and Orlovačko, from June to November. The park charges an entrance fee, camping is allowed only in approved places, and evenings are cool on the high plateau.
Nearby lakes
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Sources & data
- Statistički godišnjak Republike Srpske 2024, table 2.3 "Jezera i ribnjaci", Republički zavod za statistiku Republike Srpske, 2024
- OpenStreetMap: Štirinsko jezero (way 167336227), OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wikidata: Štirinsko Lake (Q3511608), Wikimedia Foundation
- Serbian Wikipedia: Штиринско језеро, Wikimedia Foundation
- Lakes of Zelengora, Sutjeska National Park
- Lakes of Zelengora, Zelengora.net
- Eight glacial beauties: Zelengora Lakes, Livetheworld
- Hiking tour NP Sutjeska: Lake Orlovačko, Lake Štirinsko, Lake Kotlaničko, TaraSport
- Lakes of Zelengora: hiking, Sutjeska National Park