Platno jezero

Platno Lake is a small mountain lake on Treskavica, in the municipality of Trnovo (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), one of the hidden gems of this mountain range.

Where is Platno Lake located?

The lake sits at an elevation of roughly 1,570–1,580 meters above sea level, on a flat patch of ground enclosed by steep rock walls known locally as Čabenske stijene, Suve lastve, and Nikolina stijena. Administratively, the area straddles two municipalities — Trnovo on the Federation side and Kalinovik on the Republika Srpska/Herzegovina side — which shows just how close to the internal border this corner of Treskavica lies. Treskavica itself is a mountain massif in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of the Dinaric Alps, rising just south of Sarajevo.

What will you see at the lake?

Platno Lake is much smaller than the nearby Veliko Lake, measuring roughly 80 by 30 meters. Despite its modest size, it stands out for its striking emerald-green water, which contrasts sharply with the grey cliffs and green alpine meadows around it. Platno is one of several glacial lakes on Treskavica, alongside Veliko, Bijelo, Crno, Malo, Suho, and Jezero pod Čardakom. This cluster of lakes is the most distinctive trace of the Ice Age left on the mountain, and it's the main reason hikers make the trip up here in the first place.

How do you get to Platno Lake?

A convenient starting point for the hike is the village of Turovi in the Trnovo municipality, just a few kilometers off the main Sarajevo–Foča highway. From there, marked trails lead up into the Treskavica massif toward the lake complex. A popular route circles Veliko Lake along its eastern shore, and hikers reach Platno Lake right after completing that loop. Given the altitude and terrain, plan for a full-day outing with proper trekking footwear and enough water — there are few reliable water sources along the way.

When is the best time to visit?

The best window for visiting the Treskavica lakes is summer, from June through September, when the trails are fully clear of snow and temperatures at elevations above 1,500 meters make for comfortable multi-hour hikes. Spring and autumn weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, and snow can linger far longer than in the valleys below, so it's worth checking forecasts and updates from local mountaineering clubs before heading out.

Who is this trip for?

The hike to Platno Lake and the other Treskavica lakes is popular with experienced hikers and landscape photographers. Because of the altitude, the lack of infrastructure near the lake itself (no mountain huts or marked rescue points close by), and the changeable weather higher up on the massif, the area suits hikers with at least basic mountain experience better than families with small children.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Platno Lake? It's a small body of water measuring roughly 80 by 30 meters, considerably smaller than the neighboring Veliko Lake.

At what elevation does the lake sit? Platno Lake lies at around 1,570–1,580 meters above sea level, in a rocky basin surrounded by Čabenske stijene, Suve lastve, and Nikolina stijena.

What's the best starting point for the hike? The village of Turovi, in the Trnovo municipality, a few kilometers from the Sarajevo–Foča road, is the most convenient trailhead.

Is Platno Lake the only lake on Treskavica? No — it's one of several glacial lakes on the massif, alongside Veliko, Bijelo, Crno, Malo, Suho, and Jezero pod Čardakom, which together form Treskavica's signature mountain scenery.