PROKLETIJE (Volusnica 1879 m, Talijanka 2057 m, Popadija 2030 m)

Volusnica, Talijanka and Popadija are “easier” peaks for climbing at Prokletije mountains. Still, you will have to walk for a couple of hours, and there are a few steep climbs on the trail.

Road to Prokletije goes via: Belgrade-Preljina-Raska-Novi Pazar-Rozaje-Berane-Andrijevica-Plav. A total of 450 km. From Gusinje, follow the signposts to the 7 km distant valley of Grbaja. At Grbaja is a mountain lodge “Branko Kotlajić”, which belongs to the hiking club “Radnicki” from Belgrade. The lodge is at 1160 meters a.s.l. From this lodge, path leads to Popadija. Half a kilometer from the lodge is an eco-village “Pavicevic.” From eco-village, trail leads to Volusnica (1879 m). It takes about 2.5 hours to the top of Volusnica.

The first hour and a half, a marked trail leads through the woods. Then you will come to a meadow, from which you will see Talijanka (Italian woman-2057 m) and Popadija (Priests woman-2030 m). The path then goes by the steep slopes of Volusnica, all the way to the top. All the time you can see Karaula (1915 m), Trojan (2190 m) and Vezirova brada (1781 m). When you get out from the forest, you will need about half an hour to the top .

Talijanka and Popadija

Karaula and Vezirova brada

Trojan and Karaula

The most beautiful view at Karanfils and its highest peak, Severni vrh (North peak-2460 m), is from the top of Volusnica. Of course, you can also see the other peaks of Prokletije. Beautiful!

At the top of Volusnica

A view at Severni vrh from Volusnica

Talijanka and Popadija

The trail continues by a narrow and exposed path toward Talijanka. It takes about half an hour of walk, from Volusnica to Talijanka. The trail below the summit goes sharply uphill, it is quite steep and strenuous. But the view from Talijanka is even more beautiful than from Volusnica, so that strenuous climb will be quickly forgotten.

Karanfils

Volusnica

Toward Talijanka

A view at Popadija from Talijanka

A view at Karaula and Vezirova brada from Talijanka

At the top of Talijanka

From Talijanka, Popadija can be reached in 15 minutes. The trail goes along the ridge, left is Albania, Montenegro is on the right. A view From Popadija is equally beautiful as from Talijanka and you can also see the whole ridge of Trojan.

A view from Popadija at Volusnica

At the top of Popadija

A view from Popadija at Talijanka

A view from Popadija at Trojan

From the top of Popadija, you must climb down the steep trail to the saddle below Volusnica and enter the forest, from where you came. So, the tour is circular and there is no need to return the same way back.

I would say that these three peaks are the central part of Prokletije mountains, you can see the gentle and harsh parts of Prokletije. Most of Prokletije peaks can be seen from these three peaks. There’s no way that the view from Volusnica, Talijanka and Popadija will leave you indifferent! At these peaks, all the stress and worries disappears, it is only you, the sky, nature and infinite beauty of Prokletije.

August 2016.