The Heart of Mojan’s Natural Wonder
The heart of Mojan is a vast pasture, a glacial cirque as large as a football field, surrounded on three sides by the peaks of Small Mojan (2103m), Veliki Mojan (2157m), and Suvi Vrh (1960m). The western side remains open towards Carine, through which the Mojanska river flows. The river’s source is located here, cascading into a deep abyss to create stunning waterfalls, particularly beautiful in late spring when the snow melts.
Echoes of the Past
Historically, this area and the nearby Vujeva mountain were home to numerous katuns, settled by the oldest families of the Kuci tribe. Two centuries ago, Skadar Pasha, the Turkish ruler, decreed that Mojan be given to Albanian tribes, causing the Kuci to withdraw towards Bindža and Carine. The remains of stone huts, typical of the area’s architecture, are still visible today. Since Montenegro’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire, families from the village of Konjuhe have continued to use this territory for grazing. Mojan still hosts an old cemetery with marble headstones believed to belong to Albanians.
During the communist era, this area was almost off-limits. Enver Hoxha’s regime kept a tightly closed border with Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav military patrol path, which passed through Mojan and the entire region, remains functional today. It is a significant hiking attraction but has unfortunately not been valorized or marked.
A Mosaic of Heritage
Interestingly, on the Albanian side of Mojan, there is an old Albanian katun named “Crna Gora” (Mali i Zi in Albanian), reflecting the region’s intertwined cultural heritage. Mojan was once a large katun settlement with many stone huts, whose architectural remnants are still present.
Pathways to Adventure
Mojan and its surroundings offer excellent hiking opportunities. The central part of Mojan is accessible via a scenic route starting at the bridge in Jošanica (930m), next to Dago’s tavern. Follow the Mojanska river upstream along a gravel road to reach the katun Mojanska (1133m). From here, a challenging path leads through an overgrown meadow, a steep old beech forest, and a rocky ascent known locally as Skala, leading to Mojan (1845m).
Beyond Mojan, hikers can continue southeast towards the summit of Great Mojan, located on the border with Albania. The top offers stunning views of Komovi and Prokletije. The journey continues to abandoned katuns Vučja rupa (1853m) and Gornja voda (1880m) below the peak of Paunova (2086m). From Gornja voda, the trail passes under Ilijina glava (2165m) through crumbling rocks to the pasture clearing of Đurovica (1873m), descending to katun Ravni (1560m) and back to Jošanica via a gravel road.
Embrace the Spirit of Mojan
Mojan offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural connections. The vast pastures and architectural relics tell the story of a region that has seen many cultural shifts over the centuries. For those looking to explore beyond the beaten path, Mojan presents an opportunity to connect with Montenegro’s rich past and stunning landscapes.
