Volusnica

Overview

When you going to beautiful Grbaja Valley from Gusinje town, coming from Dolja Valley you can see the group of beautiful peaks which are located on both sides of Grbaja Valley. For sure, first peak on right side will also attrack your attention. That's Volusnica peak.

Volusnica (1879 m)(read "Volushnica") peak don't belong to group of highest peaks of Montenegrin part of PROKLETIJE, but it's about 600 m high southern wall is still very amazing, dominating above beautiful Grbaja Valley (1160 m). Volusnica peak is also very known as maybe one of the best viewpoint peak in this area, with Popadija (2057 m) for sure the best and most impressive viewpoint to amazing Karanfili (2460 m, 2490 m, 2441 m) peaks. Also, from Volusnica you can see Ocnjak (2185 m) peak, 700 m deep Grbaja Valley and many others high and sharp peaks of Prokletije massif which staying in border zone with Albania.

Volusnica peak is for sure an extraordinary mountaineering adventure, pure paradise for those who like impressive and mountain scenery, specially for mountain photographers. Early in the morning or in afternoon (because of moving sun) is optimal timing to take a shot of amazing Karanfili peaks from Volusnica summit.

Climbing of this peak is used as preparation for other, more difficult tours in this part of the Prokletije mountain range, as are Karanfili (2490 m), Ocnjak (2185 m), Rosni Vrh (Maja Rosit, 2525 m) and Kolac (Kolata, 2528 m).

Even not the highest, Volusnica offers highest enjoyment & very impressive impressions! So, if you are visiting Montenegrin part of Prokletije and if you want to have excellent photo of Karanfili peaks, don't miss Volusnica!


LOCATION:

Volusnica (1879 m) is placed above Dolina Grbaje (Grbaja Valley) on SE side, and above Dolina Volusnice (Volusnica Valley) on NW side of it's massif. Volusnica Valley stretches in NE-SW direction. The lowest point of the valley is entrance from the forest, while it's highest point is on SW side - Popadija (2057 m) peak, on border line with Albania. Volusnica Valley is open to Grbaja Valley by Volusnicki Potok (Volusnica Brook).


Volusnica (1879 m) from Grbaja Valley

Southern border of Volusnica Valley is it's ridge, from where the slope of the valey descends easily to the valley and "katuni" (shepherd's huts). On north side of the valley is ridge which Volusnica (1879 m) separate from Popadija (2057 m). Only approachable connection between those two peaks is Cafa Pass (1870 m)(read "Chafa"). Volusnica Valley is mostly grassy and very reach with water springs which are placed everywhere. This valley is easily accessible, so that's one more reason while mountaineers very like and often visit it.

Volusnica (1879 m) peak is located on NW from Kolac (Kolata, 2528 m), Rosni Vrh (Maja Rosit, 2525 m), Karanfili (2460 m, 2490 m, 2441 m), Maja Lagojvet (2466 m), Maja Vukoces (2450 m), Forca (2340 m), Maja Haruses (2424 m) and Maja e Pecmaras, on N from Maja Jezerce (2694 m), Maja Popluks (2569 m), Kokervhake (2508 m), Maja Grik e Halt (2625 m), Maja Radohines (2570 m), Maja Brijaset (Brijac, 2567 m), Maja Hekurave (2561 m), Majet e Zabores, Maja Malisores (2490 m), Maja Shchokishte (2461 m), Sev i Barde (2252 m), Maja Ragomit (2472 m), Maja Alis (2422 m), Maja Snikut (Nikacki Vrh, 2554 m), Maja Skurt (2499 m) and Vojusa (Vojusit, 2210 m), on S from Popadija (2057 m), Karaula (1915 m), Rogopec (Vezirova Brada, 1780 m) and Gusinje town, on W from Djeravica (2656 m)&Bogdas (2530 m)(two peaks of Serbian part of Prokletije), Mt Bor and Vusanje village, on N from on SW from Visitor (2211 m).


SUMMIT VIEW:

SE: Kolac (Kolata, 2528 m), Rosni Vrh (Maja Rosit, 2525 m), Karanfili (2460 m, 2490 m, 2441 m), Maja Lagojvet (2466 m), Maja Vukoces (2450 m), Forca (2340 m), Maja Haruses (2424 m) and Maja e Pecmaras

S: Maja Jezerce (2694 m), Maja Popluks (2569 m), Kokervhake (2508 m), Maja Grik e Halt (2625 m), Maja Radohines (2570 m), Maja Brijaset (Brijac, 2567 m), Maja Hekurave (2561 m), Majet e Zabores, Maja Malisores (2490 m), Maja Shchokishte (2461 m), Sev i Barde (2252 m), Maja Ragomit (2472 m), Maja Alis (2422 m), Maja Snikut (Nikacki Vrh, 2554 m), Maja Skurt (2499 m), Vojusa (Vojusit, 2210 m)


Volusnica (1879 m) summit view - Karanfili (2460 m, 2490 m, 2441 m), Forca (2340 m), Presto (Maja Koprishtit, 2554 m)

N: Popadija (2057 m), Karaula (1915 m), Rogopec (Vezirova Brada, 1780 m), Gusinje town

NE: Visitor (2211 m)

E: Djeravica (2656 m)&Bogdas (2530 m)(two peaks of Serbian part of Prokletije), Mt Bor and Vusanje village

Routes Overview

ROUTES OVERVIEW:

Classical route: Dom Grbaja (Grbaja Hut, 1160 m) - Volusnica katun (1680 m)(T3) 1h - Volusnica (1879 m)(T3) 45 min: 1.45h - 2h

Height difference: 719 m
Duration: 2h
Trail: Marked

ACCESS: 12 km on the road from Plav to Gusinje, and than 7 km more to Grbaja Valley. This mountain valley is a former glacial riverbed, surrounded by the peaks of Vezirova Brada, Podgoja, Karanfili, Volusnica and Karaula.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: The marked trail starts at the "Dom Grbaja" (1160 m, Grbaja Hut), near the military watchtower and then through a beech wood to the plateau and Volusnica Katun (1680 m)(shepherd hut). It is a glacial cirque and the katun is rich with water. The Volusnica Brook is formed from melting snow and a waterfall, and flows to Grbaja Valley. From Volusnica katun follow the markers to the highest peak of Volusnica, then southward, along the grassy and rocky slope, to the upper part of the Volusnica cirque, and than to the summit of Volusnica (1879 m) peak. The eastern rocky face of Volusnica descends steeply to one of the four meadows of Grbaja Valley and is a considerable climbing challenge for mountaineers.


Volusnica (1879 m) above Grbaja Valley, seen from Grbaja Hut

Because of this route is not so long, recommendation is to continue this route to reach another peak of this area - Popadija (2057 m): 42.305 N, 19.455 E

Volusnica (1879 m) - Popadija (2057 m)(T3): 1.30 h

Height difference: 178 m
Duration: 1.30h
Trail: Marked

Sticking to the upper crest, from the summit of Volusnica, go west where difficulties ease, to the peak of Popadija (2057 m), (also named "Talijanka"). This peak is part of the border line with Albania.

Acces to Volusnica & Popadija should be made along the layered rock (1790 m), which is a carved "strip" from the Neolith Age of 600 years B.C. There is a primitive drawing of a wolf attacking a child.

This tour is tipical hiking tour and is used as preparation for other, more difficult tours in this part of the Prokletije mountain range.

Getting There

Prokletije peaks above Grbaja Valley, Volusnica (1879 m) first from the right

Gateway to Prokletije and Volusnica (1879 m) peak are Plav town and Gusinje town and Grbaja Valley. Information how to get there:

By Plane
~To Beograd (Belgrade, Serbia&Montenegro capital) airport. Than with plane to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, or with bus or car to Plav town.
~To Podgorica airport. Than with bus or car to Plav town and after to Gusinje town.

Information about flights & tickets find on the sites of JAT Airways, a former Yugoslav airlines, or on Montenegro Airlines.

By Bus
~Beograd (Belgrade)-Plav
~Podgorica-Plav

By train
~Beograd (Belgrade)-Bijelo Polje. Than with bus or with car (rent a car) to Plav and Gusinje.

By car
~Beograd (Belgrade)-Kraljevo-Novi Pazar-Plav-Gusinje.
~Podgorica-Kolasin-Andrijevica-Plav-Gusinje

Gusinje town and Plav town (in Montenegro) are the main destinations you would head first. In Gusinje you can buy everything (food, shampoo, soap, clothes,... and many other things), all what you need for few days of trekking and climbing in heart of Prokletije massif.

Gusinje - Grbaja valley: 7,5 km, (2 h of walking with big rucksack (backpack).

When To Climb

Ascent to Volusnica (1879 m) peak

If you're interested in backpacking/hiking/mountaineering/climbing, June - September are the best month to do so. In June and July also, you will find snow area on some places, specialy on north side of massif. Don't worry, snow is hard. If you will come earlier, take with you everything from mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe,...), which you will need for example in winter or spring time.

Camping

Optimal place for stay and camping in the Montenegrin part of Prokletije range are "Branko Kotlajic" Hut and "Karanfili" Hut, both placed in Grbaja Valley. The owner of "Branko Kotlajic" Hut is "Radnicki" Mountain Club from Belgrade/Serbia). Exist possibility for getting a key of that hut and stay there. Information: e-mail: info@pd-radnicki.rs, www.pd-radnicki.rs . The owner of "Karanfili" Hut is "Karanfili" Mountain Club from Gusinje town.

Exist chance to make a deal with shepherds who offer a place in their huts. Try it and let yourself be surprised. Most of the wayside restaurants can offer accomodations over night, you just have to ask "prenociste". Camping is not allowed but not controlled regularly.

Also, you can rent rooms in Plav and Gusinje towns and stay there. For orientation - from Gusinje till Grbaja valley is 7 km distance. By car - 10 minutes on asphalt road, by walk with big rucksack - 2 hours.

Mountain Conditions

Volusnica (1879 m) massif from Karanfili (2490 m) ascent

The best local weather forecast (4 times daily) for Prokletije (Plav town) on VREME YUBC NET

Red Tape

No fees or extra fees for entering the Prokletije.
No permits needed either.
Usual rules of behaviour for NP's do apply.

Images

View Volusnica Image Gallery - 36 Images