Photo: Vojkan wiki RS · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Draganandj · CC BY-SA 4.0
Trnovačko Lake is a glacial lake in northern Montenegro, close to the Bosnian border, best known for its heart-like shape. It lies at an altitude of 1,517 m, covers roughly 0.19 km² and is up to 9 m deep. Its water has a deep green-blue colour, and it sits in a huge amphitheatre of rocky peaks below the Maglić, Volujak and Bioč ranges, with wooded slopes on the open northern side. It is popular with local summer campers. A national park is planned to protect the mountains and the lake, which together with Sutjeska National Park across the border in Bosnia and Herzegovina would form one large transboundary protection zone.
Nature
The lake lies in an amphitheatre-like basin of mountain meadows within Piva Nature Park, declared in 2015, whose forests of pine, beech, fir and maple shelter chamois, deer, bears and birds of prey. Across the border, Sutjeska National Park protects the Perućica rainforest below the lake’s mountains.
Gallery
Visit
Swimming
No reliable information
Tips
Trnovačko Lake, a heart-shaped emerald at about 1,517 m, lies in a bowl ringed by Maglić, Volujak, Vlasulja, Bioč and Trnovački Durmitor. The lake belongs to Piva Nature Park in Montenegro, but the easiest approach is from Sutjeska National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina: from Prijevor, reached by off-road vehicle from Tjentište, a walk of about 5 km past Suva jezerina leads to the lake in about an hour and a half, with views over the Perućica forest and the Skakavac waterfall on the drive up.
The grassy plateau by the lake is a favourite camping spot. Both parks charge a small entrance fee, and guided tours run from April to November; snow can linger early in the season, so bring warm layers, and mosquito repellent in May and June.
Nearby lakes
Show on map
Photo: Vojkan wiki RS · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Julian Nyča · CC BY-SA 4.0Montenegro · Durmitor · Northern Montenegro
Lake Piva
Reservoir · artificial
Guides
All guides
The most beautiful mountain lakes in the Balkans
Glacial lakes, high tarns and big mountain scenery: seven Balkan mountain lakes with hiking routes, difficulty, elevation, walking times, access points and the best season to go.
Know Trnovačko Lake well?
Suggest a beach, viewpoint, trail or amenity, or tell us if something has changed. We read every message.
Sources & data
- OpenStreetMap: Trnovačko jezero (relation 17905562), OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wikidata: Trnovačko Lake (Q1811764), Wikimedia Foundation
- English Wikipedia: Trnovačko Lake, Wikimedia Foundation
- Trnovačko Lake, Sutjeska National Park
- A heart-shaped emerald: Trnovačko Lake, Live the World
- Exploring Nature Park Piva (2020), Montenegro for Me