Orjen-Pass

Nestled at the tri-border region of Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina lies the Orjen mountain massif. Covering approximately 400 square kilometers, it is classified as a karst highland. Its highest peak is the Zubački kabao, standing at 1,894 meters. The Orjen is one of the regions with the highest rainfall in Europe, which has allowed plants from the Ice Age to survive there to this day.

A scenic gravel tour cuts across the Orjen, offering visitors an excellent impression of the remoteness of this mountainous region. 

The starting point can be found on the M12 highway at the turnoff to Kruševice. A bit further along, the summer retreat of Vrbanj comes into view, where visitors can make their last stop for refreshments and supplies. After that, the off-road adventure begins, as gravel takes over. The route winds uphill in tight curves and switchbacks, starting off gently but becoming increasingly rugged and rocky as the karst landscape takes over. A section through dense forest with narrow passages follows, and then the Orjen Pass saddle comes into view. Situated at an elevation of 1,600 meters, it offers a fantastic view of the towering Zubački kabao to the north and features a mountain hut. It’s the perfect spot for a first break.

Beyond the pass, the route descends slightly on medium to coarse gravel, with a few narrow stretches that will get your adrenaline pumping. Soon after, you’ll reach the Crkvice plateau, where you can relax. Today, Crkvice resembles an open-air museum. During Austria’s rule over Dalmatia (1797–1918), the Austrians built numerous forts here at the border with Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire, including in Crkvice. They also established a weather station, which remains operational to this day—albeit automated now. The ruins of the fort are open to the public and can be explored, as can the forts of Kom and Stražnik, located east and west of Crkvice.

The descent into the valley down to the M12 is relatively straightforward, aside from a few more narrow sections. Just before reaching Kameno, the gravel transitions to asphalt, marking the end of the tour.