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Jezerca lakes from Vusanje, a beautiful hike to mountain lakes

Jezerca lakes from Vusanje · Albania

Season
June–November
Water
Last source is the Blue Eye of Vusanje; dry in October and November
Parking
Free

In short

The hike to the Jezerca lakes starts near Gërla Canyon in Vusanje, Montenegro, and covers about 26 km with 1,300 m of ascent and descent. The Blue Eye of Vusanje is the last water source, but it is dry in October and November. The trail is available from June to November.

The route

Distance
26.0 km
Ascent
+1,300 m
Descent
−1,300 m
High point
1,816 m
Lowest point
1,005 m

A Vusanje: 42.52227, 19.84223▲ Jezerca lakes: 42.46583, 19.81062

Elevation profile of Jezerca lakes from Vusanje, a beautiful hike to mountain lakesStarts at 1,005 m, climbs 1,300 m in total to a high point of 1,816 m after 10.5 km, and finishes at 1,028 m; 18.9 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 km14 km16 km18 kmVusanjeJezerca lakes · 1,816 m

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed12 h 45 min
  • Average10 h 10 min
  • Fast8 h 10 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 11.4 km
  • 8 to 15% 3.1 km
  • 15 to 25% 2.5 km
  • Over 25% 1.9 km

In two parts

  • Up to Jezerca lakes 10.5 km · +888 m
  • Back down to Vusanje 8.4 km · −826 m

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: about 4 litres (half a litre an hour)
  • Rain jacket
  • A warm layer (fleece or light down)
  • Sun cap, sunglasses and sun cream
  • Boots or trail shoes with good grip
  • Phone with the map offline, and a power bank
  • Small first aid kit
  • Headlamp, in case it gets late
  • Some cash and your ID

For the summit

  • Hat and gloves: it is colder and windier at the top
  • Walking poles, for the way down

For a long day

  • Lunch, and a snack for every two hours
  • Salty snacks or electrolytes
  • Blister plasters

Water and sun

  • Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel, if you fancy a dip

The guide

Jezerca lakes (also called Buni i Jezercës) is a fantastic outdoor destination near the highest peak of the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije), Maja Jezercë. The easiest way to go to the lakes is from Vusanje in Montenegro. But, if you want an off-trail adventure, you definitely should try going from Valbona Valley National Park in Albania. Check out my blog for that hike: Jezerca lakes from Valbona, a challenging off-trail hike.

How to get to Vusanje

The starting point for this trail is near Gërla Canyon in Vusanje, Montenegro. You need to drive around 4 hours from the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina (about 215 km), or 3 hours from the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica (approximately 150 km).

Also, you can take the bus to Plav or Gusinje and then take a taxi from there to Vusanje.

If you have a four-wheel car, you can drive up to Zastan hut, which may save you around 2 hours.

About the Jezerca lakes hike

Jezerca lakes

The hike to Jezerca lakes starts from the Gërla Canyon in Vusanje, Montenegro. There you can find a restaurant called Restaurant Hartini. Near the restaurant, you can find the Gërla waterfall.
After 1.5 km of walking, on your right side, you can find a wonderful spring called the Blue Eye of Vusanje or Oko Skakavice (The eye of a grasshopper). The water is drinkable, and there you can find the last water source of this trail. (Note: During October and November is completely dry, so you need to fill the bottles at the restaurant I mentioned above). From there you will take the forest trail, which is around 6 km long until you reach the last and the most beautiful lake. The total distance is approximately 26 km if you don’t have a four-wheel car and a 12 km drive until Zastan hut.

Note: This trail is available starting from June until November. The trail is dangerous during the snow season.

Jezerca lakes hike

Points of interest:

Starting point: Vusanje

Starting altitude: 860 m/alt

Elevation gain: 1’300 m

Elevation loss: 1’300 m