Hiking
Zelengora Bare Walk
A full-day hike across the glacial plateau — twin alpine lakes, sweeping views and a WWII memorial high above the treeline.
Your adventure snapshot
The plateau lakes of Zelengora.
Zelengora is the mountain plateau that rises above the Sutjeska River Valley — a wide, open landscape of alpine meadows and glacial lakes at around 1,400–1,500 metres. It is one of the most biodiverse alpine environments in the western Balkans, with over 300 plant species recorded across the plateau, and the two Zelengora lakes are the still heart of it.
Orlovačko Lake sits at 1,438 m and Jugovo Lake at 1,450 m — both glacial, both clean enough to swim in and both set against a backdrop of open sky and the Stog summit above. The trail between them is easy and well-marked. The pace of the day is slow by design: 3–4 hours at the lakes for swimming, lunch on the shore and time to sit in a place that most travellers moving through the region never reach.
This is one of the most accessible tours we run — suitable for families with young children, no hiking experience required, and the trail to the lakes is gentle enough for anyone walking comfortably.
Trip at a glance
- DurationFull day
- Group size2–25 people
- Fitness levelEasy — suitable for all, including families
- Minimum age2 years and over
- Meeting pointTjentište, Sutjeska National Park
- SeasonJune – October
Tour highlights
What makes the Zelengora plateau different
Orlovačko Lake at 1,438 m
The first lake you reach on the Green Trail — a wide, calm glacial lake with clear water and open views across the plateau. The name means "Eagle Lake" and the banks are flat and accessible. Swimming is possible from June through September and the water, while cold, is clean and refreshingly clear after the walk up.
3–4 hours at the lakes
The day isn't built around a destination and a return march — the pace stops at the lakes. Time to swim, eat lunch on the shore, walk between the two lakes at a relaxed pace and sit in the alpine meadows. The guide identifies plants and explains the ecology of the plateau for anyone interested. No rush to be anywhere.
Biodiversity of the Zelengora plateau
Over 300 plant species have been recorded on the Zelengora plateau — rare alpine flowers, endemic grasses and medicinal herbs that grow across the open meadows between the lakes. The guide walks with the group and points out what is underfoot. June and July are the peak flowering months, but the meadows are distinctive right through the summer.
Stog summit in view
Stog (1,970 m) rises above the southern edge of the Zelengora plateau and is visible from both lakes on a clear day. The peak itself is not part of this tour — this is a day at the lakes, not a summit route — but the presence of the mountain above gives the plateau its character. The view across the meadows towards Stog is the one that appears on most photographs of Zelengora.
Inclusions
What's included
Included
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional guide throughout
- Transport from Tjentište to the plateau trailhead
- National Park entrance fees
- All local taxes and residence taxes
Not included
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Beverages
- Personal souvenirs
1 day · full day
How the day unfolds
Timing depends on the season and group. The bulk of the day is spent at the lakes — your guide adapts the pace to the group. Timings below are indicative.
Breakfast at the accommodation, then a short transfer to the Zelengora plateau trailhead. From there the trail rises gently through alpine meadows to Orlovačko Lake, continues to Jugovo Lake, and returns the same way. Three to four hours at the lakes for swimming, lunch and time in the meadows. Return to Tjentište by early evening.
- 07:30Breakfast & departureHomemade breakfast at the accommodation in Tjentište. Pack towels and sunscreen — the plateau has no shade cover. Depart by vehicle to the Zelengora trailhead.
- 09:00Arrive at the trailheadVehicle drops the group at the lower trailhead on the Zelengora plateau. The guide covers the route, the flora you'll see and what to expect at the lakes.
- 09:30Trail to Orlovačko LakeA gentle walk across open alpine meadows toward Orlovačko Lake. The Stog summit appears ahead as the plateau widens. The guide points out medicinal plants and endemic flowers along the route.
- 11:00Orlovačko Lake (1,438 m) — swimmingThe first lake. Wide, clear and flat-banked — easy to enter and swim. The group stops here for the first swim of the day. The guide stays with anyone who prefers to sit on the bank.
- 12:30Lunch on the lake shoreLunch is laid out on the flat rocks above Orlovačko Lake. The plateau is visible in all directions — no trees, just open sky and the mountain behind.
- 13:30Trail to Jugovo Lake (1,450 m)A short walk across the upper meadows from Orlovačko to Jugovo Lake. The two lakes are connected by a narrow stream and surrounded by the same wildflower meadows.
- 14:30Jugovo Lake — time at the waterThe smaller and higher of the two lakes. A second swim for those who want one, or time to sit and walk the shore. The guide identifies birds and explains the glacial geology of the plateau.
- 16:30Return hike to the trailheadEasy return across the meadows. The descent is gentle all the way to the vehicle.
- 18:00Return to TjentišteBack at the accommodation by early evening, in time for dinner.
From our travellers
Take it from them
★★★★★
The best day of our Bosnia trip. We had the plateau completely to ourselves — no crowds, no noise, just the lakes and the meadows and the mountain above. The guide knew every plant and pointed out things we would never have noticed walking on our own. The swim at Orlovačko at midday is a memory I'll keep for a long time.
★★★☆☆
Beautiful landscape and the guide was knowledgeable and kind. The lakes themselves are stunning — the water is unbelievably clear. My only note is that the day felt slightly rushed during the return and we had less time at Jugovo than I'd hoped. Worth doing, just worth communicating what pace you'd like from the start.
★★★☆☆
A lovely day in a genuinely remarkable landscape. The wildflowers in June were extraordinary — I'd never seen anything like it. The trail is very accessible which means it's a good option for families. We came expecting a more remote feeling and the plateau delivered. Good lunch, good guide, good day.
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