Lanista Katun in Biogradska Gora National Park – Montenegro
A microcosm of nature that is rainforest, wetlands, stone rivers, mountain peaks, and glacial lakes, Biogradska Gora deserves several days of exploration. Lanista Katun can serve as the HQ for explorers or it can be an overnight stay along the journey. This katun offers some of the nicer amenities for katun life including solar power and a ready shower with hot water.
Laništa Katun is a 4km hike along a picturesque single-track trail that winds through one of the primeval forests. This trail is also a black diamond MTB route that is about 75% bikable. In addition to hiking and MTB, Lanista is accessible from Mojkovac via 4×4 or motorcycle as well as by MTB or hiking. This katun provides nearby access to picturesque Biogradska Gora Lake (Jezero) while offering an escape from the tourists looking just to snap the easy photo on a drive-through route.
Katun life offers a slower paced mountain experience along with some 90+% organic farm to table foods. Cooking here takes a traditional approach with local sourced foods and a wood-fired stove. Also, Lanista Katun is eco-friendly with solar power and the water is heated by a dedicated wood stove.
Lanista Katun offers an unforgettable experience for adventurers. The hiking trail in offers enough challenge to know that you really accomplished something. Yet families can do it together while helping each other along the steeper part of the trail that winds several hundred meters along the embankment of Bjelasica Mountain. Choose to stay a night on a hut-to-hut adventure or stay for days and recalibrate with the quiet, isolated beauty of Biogradska Gora National Park.
FEATURES OF Lanista KATUN in BIOGRADSKA GORA
- Located inside the park with a 4 km single-trail hike from the Biogradska Gora National Park main entrance
- Lanista Katun offers three huts (soon to be four) for travelers:
- The (Planinski) Mountain Hut sleeps 1 to 2 people – 20 euros/night
- The (Biciklista) MTB Hut sleeps up to 2 people – 20 euros/night
- The smaller (Pesački) Hiker Hut sleeps 1 adult or 2 small-framed people – 16 euros/night
- Organic, traditional meals available
- Outdoor and indoor eating areas
- Located inside the national park providing access to key points
- 45-minute hike to Biogradska Gora Lake
- 1.5-hour hike from Mojkovac
- 6-hour hike to Sisko Jezero
- Spring water access
- Part of Meanderbug’s Biogradska Gora Hut-to-Hut Network
- Parking available on location (only accessible from Mojkovac)
- Situated on the Via Dinarica hiking route
- Hiking route assistance available from Toma, the katun owner and a Biogradska Gora park ranger, as well as his family
Great and personal service
I booked to stay a couple of nights at Lanista Katun, as well paying for a couple of breakfast, lunches and dinners.
Unfortunately when the time of the booking came, the weather conspired against me and thunderstorms meant I was unable to make it into Biogradska Gora.
Jovan and Meanderbug were great – they were totally understanding of the situation and the day after I emailed to raise my concerns, they offered a full refund which I gladly took.
I fully intend to use Meanderbug again if I return to Montenegro in the future! Great and personal service.
Great stay with delicious food!
We stayed the last night of our 3-night hike in Lanista katun. Along the way there we were caught by a massive thunder storm, and arrived soaking wet. Thus, it was pleasant to find a warm shower there (something we were not expecting / requesting from our hut-to-hut hike!), and hosts of the katun took care of drying our shoes without even asking and provided local honey and tea to warm us up. All in all, very great stay with delicious food. Special remark for cute kittens 🙂 and other animals!!
A lovely stay. Definitely recommend.
My friend Emilie and I stayed in Lanista Katun for a night. The family was very welcoming and attentive to our needs. Tough communication was limited because of the language barrier, the family was really friendly and keen to please. The food was delicious – be ready for big portions! – and the room and beds comfortable. The location is idyllic and the view breathtaking. A few more signs along the way would be welcomed as the map given by the visitor center at the entrance of the park does not seem very accurate. It is only an hour and 15 minutes walk and is easily found but more reminders that you are on the right path would boost your confidence. Overall a lovely stay that I would recommend to my friends.
When can I come back?
This was my first “adventure” experience in Montenegro. I’m used to staying in hotels or AirBnb’s, but when someone offered to take me to Lanista, I decided go for it.
It went above every expectation I had.
My son and I got to explore all over the mountain. It was so quiet and peaceful – just what the soul needs after a hectic week of work. We had an AMAZING variety of hot food prepared for us during each meal. I slept like a baby underneath the warm bedding provided in each hut. And I woke up to the peaceful sunrise as the family prepared hot coffee (and even some early morning rakja) during the brisk golden mountain morning.
The family doesn’t speak much English, but whatever they lack in language, they more than make up for in hospitality.
The trail for us was easy to follow. There’s a red & white “bullseye” marker on almost every other tree. Perhaps this is a new addition per the earlier comments. The whole experience could not have been easier or more enjoyable.
I’m looking forward to coming back again and again.
Thank you Meanderbug!
Next time with the whole family
This was my second stay with Meanderbug, my first in a Katun. The quick synopsis, I will go back.
I went with two other dads and their kids. I took my 8 and 5 yr old. The trail from the Biogradska National Park was perfect for my 5 yr old, and entertaining enough for the 8 yr old. It was marked well leading to Lanista. No problems.
The family at the katun was incredibly hospitable. We were greeted with a warm, hearty stew, cold drinks, and smiles.
The setting was peaceful and serene on a rolling hillside surrounded by more drastic peaks. It was excellent for adults that want to continue hiking, kids that want to run and slay dragons, and foragers looking for wild blueberry bushes :).
Dinner and breakfast followed the lunch: large portions and plenty of protein. My favorite part was the morning with the family sitting around the table, telling stories, and enjoying early morning coffee and homemade apple brandy.
Both boys have already asked to return. Next time, bringing mom and the youngest brother along.
Idyllic holliday
We stayed two nights in Lanista and had a wonderful time. It has a unique location with great views from the terrace which we especially enjoyed during breakfasts and dinner. The family was very welcoming and hospitable and Malinka cooked us a lot of very delicious hearty local food. All was extremely comfortable, with a cozy cabin and hot showers too. We also much enjoyed the beautiful natural surroundings with carpets of beautiful flowers (lots of orchids), and a hike up to Razvrse mountain. It was difficult to leave this Idyllic place and lovely people and wished we could have stayed longer, but we had to continue our 7 day’s trek around Biogradska Gora. However, we hope to come back again to this very special place and people!
Malinka and Toma: thank you verry much and we wish you all the best!
Jeffrey and Joanna.