Zla Kolata
2,534 m
Albania, Montenegro
Also known as Зла Колата, Ζλα Κολάτα, +2Also known as
Зла Колата · Ζλα Κολάτα · Zla Kolata / Kollate e Keqe · Kolata e Keqe
- Elevation
- 2,534 m
- Prominence
- 54 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T4 (Camptocamp (karst terrain, exposed near the top))
A long but technically easy day from the village of Vusanje near Gusinje: about 9 km and 1,500–1,600 m of ascent on a red-and-white marked path through forest and shepherds' pastures to the Albanian border at Qafa e Preslopit, then up a karst combe to the col between the two Kolatas and a short climb west to the summit. About 5–6½ hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 9.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,559 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,534 m
- Time Up
- 6h 26m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 25m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at the road end in Vusanje (about 1,045 m), in the Ropojana side of Prokletije National Park, 5–6 km beyond Gusinje. Forest and tractor tracks lead east up the valley of the Belički potok, then a footpath climbs past shepherds' summer huts (one sells drinks, cheese and yoghurt in season) to a spring at about 1,700 m, the last reliable water. Shortly above, by some old ruins, the path towards Qafa e Borit continues straight on; turn right (south) for the Kolata route. A steep, tiring section climbs past the Ledena pećina, a small cave breathing cold air at about 1,940 m, to Qafa e Preslopit on the Montenegro–Albania border (about 2,030 m; this is also where the path from Valbonë arrives). From the pass the marked path traverses up east through a first rock band into the hanging combe north-west of the summit, then climbs its eastern side over several small steps, with a little exposure and occasional use of the hands, to the col between Zla Kolata and Dobra Kolata (Prevoj Kolata, about 2,420 m). Turn west for 15–30 minutes of grass, scree and easy rock to the broad summit, which is on the border. Descend the same way in about 4 hours; a round trip of 18–20 km and 9–10 hours is typical. Dobra Kolata (about 2,528 m, roughly 30 minutes from the col) is a common add-on; the higher Maja e Kollatës (about 2,552 m) to the east lies wholly in Albania. Snow fields can persist in the combe below the col into July, when an ice axe or crampons may be needed. There is no shade above the pastures and cloud can make the karst confusing.
Start
Vusanje1,017 m
- Buses run from Podgorica to Plav and Gusinje; there is no regular service on to Vusanje (taxi or walk about 5 km).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vusanje → Zla Kolata | 9.3 | 1,559 | 43 | 6h 26m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Vusanje1,017 m
- Feature: Shepherds' huts above Vusanje1,238 m
Seasonal shepherds' huts; drinks and dairy products sold in summer
- Waypoint: Spring below Qafa e Borit1,680 m
Last reliable water
- Col: Qafa e Preslopit2,031 m
Border pass; elevations of 2,030–2,130 m are quoted
- Col: Prevoj Kolata2,414 m
- Summit: Zla Kolata2,534 m
Key Passages
- Steep climb past the Ledena pećina to Qafa e Preslopit
- Rock bands and small steps in the combe below Prevoj Kolata
- Final grass and scree slope west of the col
Equipment
0/9 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest point of Montenegro (2,534 m), a broad limestone summit on the Albanian border in the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije). A long, marked day hike of about 1,500 m from the village of Vusanje near Gusinje, with no technical difficulty.
Zla Kolata ('Evil Kolata', Kolata e Keqe in Albanian) is one of three summits of the Kolata massif, which sits astride the Montenegro–Albania border between the Ropojana and Valbona valleys. Its twin Dobra Kolata ('Good Kolata', about 2,528 m) lies half a kilometre to the north-east, and the massif's true high point, Maja e Kollatës (about 2,552 m), rises about 1 km east-south-east, entirely in Albania. Because the frontier runs over Zla Kolata, it is Montenegro's highest point, although Bobotov Kuk in Durmitor is the highest summit lying wholly inside the country.
The mountain is limestone throughout: forested lower slopes, high summer pastures with shepherds' huts, then bare karst, scree and small rock bands. The normal route from Vusanje is a red-and-white marked path, partly shared with the Peaks of the Balkans trail, and needs only sure-footedness and stamina. The reward is a wide view over the jagged peaks of Prokletije, the Karanfili and the Valbona valley.
Expect a long day: 18–20 km and 9–10 hours return, with water only on the lower half. The Montenegrin side lies in Prokletije National Park; the Albanian side in Valbonë Valley National Park.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 9–10 hour day with 1,500–1,600 m of ascent is the main requirement; the terrain is T3 with a few rocky steps below the col where hands help. No rope or glacier skills are needed in summer. Navigation in the karst above Qafa e Preslopit can be tricky in cloud, so carry a GPS track. Shepherds' dogs at the summer huts can be aggressive; give them a wide berth.
Most people stay in a guesthouse in Vusanje or Gusinje and do the round trip in a day, starting by 07:00–08:00. Combining Zla Kolata with Dobra Kolata adds about an hour. Crossing into Albania (for example continuing to Valbonë) requires a border-crossing permit arranged in advance, as used on the Peaks of the Balkans trail. Snow lingers in the upper combe into early July; outside summer the route is a serious winter undertaking with avalanche risk and little infrastructure.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Deep snow; winter mountaineering only
- Feb
- Deep snow; avalanche risk
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow on the upper route
- May
- Snow above the pastures; avalanche risk in the combe
- Jun
- Snow fields likely below the col; ice axe or crampons may be needed
- Jul
- Main season; shepherds in the pastures; afternoon storms possible
- Aug
- Main season; hot on the lower slopes
- Sep
- Often stable weather
- Oct
- Shorter days; early snow possible
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Permits
- Montenegro–Albania border-crossing permitOptional
Not needed to climb Zla Kolata and return to Vusanje. Required if you cross into Albania on foot (for example continuing to Valbonë on the Peaks of the Balkans trail); apply in advance through the authorities or a local agency.
- Hut Booking
- No mountain hut on the route. Guesthouses and homestays in Vusanje and hotels in Gusinje.
- Fees
- Prokletije National Park entrance ticket, EUR 3 per person per day (2025–2026 price); EUR 13.50 annual pass valid in all five Montenegrin national parks; children under 15 free
- Local tourist tax of about EUR 1 per night
- Rules
- Summit lies on the Montenegro–Albania border; carry a passport
- Prokletije National Park regulations apply on the Montenegrin side
- Getting There
Gusinje (Vusanje village at the trailhead)
Podgorica Airport (TGD)
- By car: Podgorica – Kolašin – Andrijevica – Plav – Gusinje (about 3–4 hours), then 5–6 km towards Vusanje and the Ropojana valley
- Buses run from Podgorica to Plav and Gusinje; no regular service to Vusanje
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Avalanche