Great lake

Veliko jezero (Great Lake) is the largest and most striking of the mountain lakes on Treskavica, in the Trnovo municipality south of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sitting at roughly 1548–1567 metres above sea level, it is a glacial lake and one of the clearest traces of the Ice Age left in this part of the Dinaric Alps.

What will you see at the lake?

Veliko jezero measures about 220 metres in length, 185 metres in width, and reaches a depth of up to 6 metres. It is framed by the gentle, grassy slopes of Treskavica and by the remains of a former mountain hut near Kozja Luka, once named after Josip Sigmund. Nearby lie the other lakes of the same group — Crno, Bijelo, Platno and Zmijsko — five of which are of glacial origin and sit above 1500 metres. The water is calm and clear, and the silence of the high mountain pasture makes the spot a favourite for a rest stop or an overnight camp during longer hikes.

How do you get to Veliko jezero?

The starting point is the village of Turovi (around 920 m), near Trnovo. From there, a wide gravel track leads to the Sustavac camp — about an hour's walk, passing a spring where you can refill water bottles. Beyond Sustavac, the route continues along a forest path following the Hrasnjanski and Glibovac streams all the way to the lake. The full route covers roughly 7.5 km one way and calls for reasonable fitness, since it crosses uneven mountain terrain.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the altitude and the mountain character of the trail, late spring through early autumn is the best window, when the path is free of snow and passable without specialist gear. In winter, Treskavica draws experienced ski tourers, but reaching the lake itself becomes considerably harder and riskier.

What should you keep in mind?

Treskavica was a front line during the 1990s war, so it is essential to stay strictly on marked hiking trails at all times. This applies especially to the wooded stretch between the hut and the Veliko and Crno lakes, where leaving the path is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. It is worth carrying a trail map and letting someone know your planned route before heading into the mountains.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the hike to Veliko jezero take? Walking from Turovi via the Sustavac camp to the lake usually takes a few hours depending on pace and fitness — the final stretch from the hut to the lake alone adds roughly an hour to ninety minutes.

Can you swim in the lake? It's a charming spot to rest and take photos, but given the altitude and cold mountain water, most visitors treat it as a hiking destination rather than a swimming spot.

Is the trail safe? Yes, as long as you keep to the marked paths. Treskavica was a former war zone, so straying off the designated route is not recommended.

Is there anywhere to stay overnight nearby? Yes — there is a camp at Sustavac, and the remains of a former mountain hut near Kozja Luka serve as a base for longer hikes around Treskavica's lakes.