Peaks of the Balkans stage 9: Plav - Vusanje

Plav - Vusanje hike

This is a long hike that starts in the town of Plav (968 m) and climbs up to the Bor summit (2106 m)
and ends in the village of Vusanje (1022 m).

This hike could be divided into two parts by an overnight stay in Kolenovica Katun (UTM 34 T 408166 4709032), where in summer
Shepherds can be found here. From the Bor summit, follow the ridge to the north-west and descend from the saddle where Lake Kolendarsko is located. This katun is located on Kolendarsko Lake and has drinking water throughout the summer.

This trail is number 552 in the national trail network. It starts at the roundabout in front of the old mosque in Plav (WP 1h). There are signs that
pointing southwards. When crossing in the direction of Đuricka Rijeka (Djuricka River), 30 metres after the mosque there is a road to the village of Zaviš. This part of the path is also a mountain bike trail. Along the path, you will come to a place called Radunov laz, which has a drinking water spring and wonderful viewpoints of Plav Lake, the Ljuča River, Visitor Mountain and the town of Plav.

After a hike of 4.5 kilometres from the starting point, this is a suitable resting place. The trail then follows a good path
through the forest to the Gradec hill, where the path turns south-west after the second bend towards Karaula Feratovica (1664 m). Here we enter the area of the Prokletije National Park. This is also a vantage point with a view of the wider region around Plav Lake, the Kofiljaca and Visitor mountains and the Djuricka River.

From this point, the trail leads along the eastern slope of Bairak Hill to Katun Paljvukaj (not on the map). In the summer months, visitors can sample homemade products and experience the local culture. After 8.5 kilometres of hiking, this is a good place to take your next break and replenish your water reserves. From Radunov laz to Katun Paljvukaj, the trail leads through mixed forests of
Spruce, fir and beech trees that belong to the Prokletije National Park.

The trail heads west towards Bairak Hill (2074 m) over the north-east ridge of Maja e Borit to Bor Pass, which contains a small lake. The next point is Bor Peak (2106 m), which we reach via a grassy ridge covered with plenty of wild blueberries to sample. We have now hiked a total of 15.5 kilometres. We head south-east along the three smaller lakes to the southern summit
of the Bor Mountains (above Katun Mala Scapica) to the viewpoint of the border park (2149 m). From there you can see the Çerem valley, the Kolata massif, Lake Plav, north-east to Mount Hajla and the Komovi and Karanfili mountains.

Downhill, in a southerly direction, the path leads towards Katun Grlata (Buni Cesalj), past a row of ruined military blockhouses. This place is
Temporarily inhabited in the summer months and a nice place to rest or camp, as there are two water sources near the Katun.

An additional hiking day (in addition to the regular PoB trail) offers the opportunity to hike through the Skripa Valley and the Preslopit Pass (2039 m) to the summit of Zla Kolata (2535 m). The north-west chamber of Preslopit leads to the Three Passes (2526 m) and then to the summit of Kolata (Maja e Keq) (2535 m). The hike is long - about 4 hours one way. Full hiking and mountaineering equipment is required
. It is recommended to hire a local guide.

If you follow a good track (used to transport cattle to the Katuns), you will reach the village of Vusanje (Vuthaj) at WP 3i after about 30 minutes. 7 km or 3 hours on foot. Accommodation can be found here. Near Vusanje there is a beautiful waterfall fed by the river Grlja. An overnight stay and rest for the next day's hike towards Theth is recommended.