Dupilo, Montenegro: the quiet valley of Orahovštica, the Old Bridge and trails above Lake Skadar
On August 24, 2025, the Starlight group made another foray into nature.
Dupilo is a small mountain settlement in the historical region of Crmnica (Bar Municipality), located in the foothills above the northern bays of Lake Skadar. Krmnica traditionally included the village of Dupilo in the list of its villages and is known for its Vranac vineyards and rural monasteries.
According to the information boards of the Orahovštica Trail project, Dupilo has a permanent population of about 65 people – the most populated village of Crmnica today.
Overall, the trip was uneventful.
At Country House Dajković, we were treated to homemade vine brandy and sage and lemon liqueur. And of course, we couldn’t resist drinking Nikšičko beer.
On the way back to our cars, a surprise awaited us. One of the cars, parked off the main road, on a dirt road, couldn’t cope with the rather steep climb, and we had to use physical force. After spending some time and effort, we managed to push the car onto the road. Tired but happy, we went home.
What to see
1) Orahovštica – river and valley
The Orahovštica River forms a green valley with a scattering of old paths, threshing floors, mills and stone bridges. The special Orahovštica Trail project has restored a network of historical paths, signs and maps with routes of varying lengths (a 1:20,000 scale map is available online).
2) Waterfall on Orahovštica
A small, very picturesque cascade with natural emerald pools is hidden in the forest next to an old millstone threshold. This is a popular summer “bathing spot” for locals and those who walk along the branch from the trail to the river.
3) Country House Dajković
A manor house on a slope above the valley: seasonal dishes from its own garden, homemade wine and a terrace overlooking the vineyards. This is where the route descriptions suggest visiting “by prior arrangement” – to taste the local cuisine after trekking.
Walking routes (according to the Orahovštica Trail project)
Below are the most successful circles and linear sections. Time, mileage and elevation gain/loss are given according to the official trail guide map.
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Babin Most → Opačac Most
4 km • 1 h 15 m • ↑150 m, ↓100 m.
An easy valley trail through a shady forest and “sunny hills” to the picturesque Opačac stone bridge. Under the arches there is a natural pool with cold spring water. Return the same way.
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Babin Most → Dupilo → Babin Most (+ branch to the waterfall)
5 km • 1 h 45 m • circle • ↑↓250 m; to the waterfall: +1 km and ~45 m vertically.
The panoramic trail along the southern edge of the valley leads to Dupilo; a side path goes down to the river – to natural baths and a waterfall. You can return either along the same path or on the asphalt.
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Dupilo (Šuplja stijena) → Opačac bridge → Vrelaza spring → Dupilo
3.5 km • 1 h 30 m • circle • ↑↓170 m.
A short “ring” with the Vrelaza drinking spring and views of the valley.
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Dupilo → Popratnica → Komarno
5 km • 1 h 45 m • linear • ↑250 m, ↓150 m.
Exit from the central part of Dupilo to the highland village of Komarno and the famous observation deck above the channels of Lake Skadar. From Komarno you can continue to Poseljani and Rijeka Crnojevića.
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Brijege → Bjelasica peak (556 m)
5 km • 2 h • ↑↓300 m.
A low peak with a 360-degree view: Lake Skadar, the Orahovshtica valley, Virpazar and the mountains of Albania/Montenegro.
Navigation and marking. Wooden signs (“Opačac”, “Babin most”, “Dupilo centar”) and information boards are installed on the site; red and white markers are used in some areas.
Nature: Plants and Animals
Dupilo and the Orahovshtica Valley are part of the landscapes of the Skadar Lake National Park, the largest freshwater body of water in the Balkans, protected as a Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Birds. The lake and the lakeside marshes are home to about 280 species of birds: from colonies of herons and cormorants to the rare Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) – the symbol of the park and the only one nesting in Montenegro on Lake Skadar. Commonly encountered are the little cormorant, great egret, white-headed duck, coot, and marsh harrier. The best time for observation is spring and early autumn.
Vegetation. The banks and channels are covered with reeds and reed beds, willow thickets and vast fields of water lilies – the hallmark of the northern bays. Within the park, more than 130 plant communities have been described, 50 taxa of vascular plants have a protected status; there are 23 types of natural habitats according to the EU Directive (Annex I).
Fish and other fauna. The lake system is rich in ichthyofauna: carp dominate (carp, roach, asp), eels and forms of the verkhovka (alborella) endemic to the basin are also found; traditional fishing has determined the life of Krmnica for centuries.
Practice and logistics
- Starting points. For routes 1–2, parking is convenient at Babin most in the valley; longer loops can be reached from the center of Dupilo or from Komarno (markings in the villages have been preserved).
- Pit stop. Country House Dajković accepts by prior arrangement (dinners/tastings of vegetable dishes, homemade wine). Current contacts and descriptions are on the official website and in the aggregator profiles. • Swimming at the waterfall. In summer the water level is low; the rocks are slippery – wear trekking sandals and respect the private areas of the old mills.
- Daily combinations. In the morning – a loop Babin Most → Dupilo → waterfall; lunch in Dajković; after – transfer to Stari Most in Rijeka Crnojevića for sunset.
Brief history of the region
Crmnica is a fertile “wine” valley of Old Montenegro; it is here that the autochthonous Vranac variety, grown for centuries around Lake Skadar, comes from. The roads that connected Dupilo, the threshing floors, the mills and the passes are now accessible again as hiking trails.
