The household receives guests from July 1 to August 31.
Lodging
Room 1: 3 beds
Room 2: 5 beds
Total: 8 beds
Bathroom: Shared bathroom for all the rooms
Meals
Food is included in the offer. There is a possibility of preparing different dishes from the traditional cuisine. Guests can order a specialty they want to be prepared but they need to state if they are vegetarians, vegans or allergic to some ingredients.
Rural Activities
July: mowing and hay collecting, cow milking, cheese production, collecting medicinal plants, gathering forest fruit, garden works.
August: Mowing and hay collecting, cheese production, collecting medicinal plants, gathering forest fruit, garden works.
Other Services
Transfers: Yes
Tasting of products: Yes
Culinary classes – participation in preparation of meals: Yes
Horse riding: No
Camping: Yes
Organization of field trips: Yes
Children props: Yes
Special Conditions
Internet: Yes
TV: No
Bed sheets and towels: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
Washing machine: Yes
Foreign languages in use in household: English
Dulović family is made of seven members. Spouses Dragan and Gordana, together with their children work hard on their farm and successfully complement village tourism to husbandry and agriculture.
Their basic activity is husbandry but they are into agriculture, as well. They grow vegetables in the garden, for themselves and their guest can take part in the works during the summer. Gordana produces Kolašinski Lisnati (layered) cheese, all the visitors can observe her doing it or they can participate in producing this branded product.
Dulović household is situated at the foot of Sinjajevina mountain, at the crossroads of mountain trails that lead to the surrounding peaks, 12 km away from Kolašin. Kolašin is a town where one can see cultural-historical monuments such as Memorial Home, Homeland Museum, Partisan Memorial graveyard, numerous monuments dedicated to significant people from history. Monastery Morača, which dates back to 1252 is also close to Kolašin, as well as one of the most attractive canyons in the vicinity, the canyon of the river Mrtvica with an imposing bridge over it. National Park Biogradska Gora is 16 km away from Kolašin.
WELCOME TO BIG GROVE
Traditional Katun Household on Sinjajevina Mountain
ABOUT BIG GROVE
Welcome to Big Grove — a traditional katun household located on the slopes of Sinjajevina mountain, surrounded by mountain pastures, forests, hiking trails, and preserved transhumant landscapes.
Big Grove is one of the first registered rural tourism households in the municipality of Kolašin and one of the pioneering examples of sustainable katun tourism in Montenegro.
The family uses this location as a traditional katun, moving here with their cattle every summer and continuing the centuries-old practice of transhumance.
This practice was officially recognized in December 2025 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Montenegro and is expected to receive broader international recognition in the future.
The family has also been awarded as the Best Katun Household in Montenegro in 2023.
Today, Big Grove combines:
- traditional mountain life
- livestock farming
- local gastronomy
- rural tourism
- preservation of katun heritage and culture
The household is run by Gordana Dulović and her family, who have become an inspiration for many other rural women and households in the region.
A LIVING KATUN TRADITION
Big Grove is part of a living pastoral tradition that still survives on Sinjajevina mountain.
The family moves with cattle to the mountain every summer and continues producing:
- traditional Kolašin layered cheese
- dairy products
- vegetables
- fruit and preserves
- honey and homemade juices
The household produces:
- potatoes
- vegetables
- corn
- plums
- apples
- pears
- quinces
- mushrooms
- berries
The family also collects:
- blueberries
- medicinal herbs
- mushrooms
- pine cones used for homemade juices and syrups
Most products served to guests come directly from the family’s own production.
The family is also engaged in production of Kolašin layered cheese, a product protected by Geographical Indication and included within the European quality protection scheme.
LOCAL FOOD & TRADITIONAL CUISINE
Food at Big Grove reflects authentic mountain gastronomy and traditional katun hospitality.
Meals are prepared according to local recipes and seasonal production.
The household produces almost everything it needs and buys only products that cannot be produced locally. Most ingredients come either from the family’s own production or nearby local producers.
Guests are served:
- homemade dairy products
- traditional layered cheese
- traditional mountain dishes
- vegetables from the garden
- homemade juices and preserves
- pies
- kačamak
- nettle porridge
- local meat products
The household is part of the Gorska trpeza gastro route and actively promotes local gastronomy and traditional food heritage.
The family completed training related to:
- vegetarian diets
- vegan meals
- food allergies and intolerances
- special dietary needs
Many traditional dishes offered by the household are naturally vegetarian.
A PLACE CONNECTED WITH NATURE
Big Grove is located on one of the most attractive mountain areas of Montenegro, directly connected with:
- hiking trails
- biking routes
- mountain landscapes
- forests and pastures
Most guests come here because of:
- hiking
- mountain biking
- peaceful nature
- healthy lifestyle
- authentic rural experience
The family organizes:
- blueberry picking walks
- nature walks
- light hiking experiences for elderly guests and families
Guests can experience traditional mountain life and untouched landscapes of Sinjajevina.
SUSTAINABILITY AT BIG GROVE
Sustainability is deeply connected with the traditional way of life practiced by the family.
The household continuously works on:
- preservation of katun traditions
- reduction of environmental impact
- support to local community
- protection of mountain nature
- preservation of local food traditions
The family is highly self-reliant and practices circular use of resources in everyday life.
ENERGY & CLIMATE
Big Grove is connected to the electricity grid, although supply is unstable due to mountain conditions.
The family:
- uses LED lighting throughout the property
- carefully manages energy consumption
- installed solar water heating
- minimizes unnecessary electricity use
- uses thick stone walls and traditional architecture for natural insulation
More than 75% of hot water production is now based on renewable solar energy.
Guests are kindly invited to:
- switch off lights when not needed
- use electricity responsibly
- help preserve energy resources
The household frequently hosts cyclists and provides safe bicycle storage for guests.
WATER PROTECTION
The family uses a natural spring that currently provides sufficient water resources for the household.
Important sustainability measures include:
- installation of bio-septic wastewater treatment system
- responsible towel and linen replacement policy
- reduced unnecessary room cleaning
- water-saving toilet systems
- the household also uses environmentally friendly Frosch cleaning products.
Guests are informed that:
- towels and bed linen are changed upon request
- room cleaning is organized only when necessary
These measures significantly reduce unnecessary water consumption and wastewater pollution.
WASTE REDUCTION
Very little waste is generated at Big Grove.
The family:
- avoids disposable packaging and tableware
- uses reusable glass, metal, and ceramic materials
- reuses jars and bottles for preserves and juices
- reuses wooden items and furniture whenever possible
- minimizes food waste through careful planning
- serves homemade juices instead of bottled soft drinks
- promotes tap water instead of bottled water
Food leftovers are:
- reused within the household
- composted
- eventually given to domestic animals
As Gordana explains, life in the katun follows a natural cycle: food waste becomes compost or animal feed, compost becomes fertilizer, fertilizer supports vegetable production, and vegetables become food again.
The household introduced reusable glass bottles for serving water to guests and replaced plastic packaging wherever possible.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Culture and transhumance heritage are among the strongest aspects of Big Grove.
The household actively participates in:
- katun protection initiatives
- preservation of transhumance traditions
- cultural heritage activities organized by RDA BKP
The architecture of the household is completely traditional, while interiors are decorated with traditional items and handmade objects connected with local culture.
The family participated in projects related to preservation of traditional interior decoration and contributed many authentic items used within the household.
Guests experience:
- traditional mountain life
- farming activities
- local gastronomy
- authentic katun atmosphere
Everything within the household reflects local identity and traditional values.
COMMUNITY & LOCAL LIFE
The family actively contributes to local community life and preservation of rural traditions.
They regularly participate in:
- road maintenance activities
- maintenance of local graveyards
- community gatherings
- local environmental activities
The household collaborates with local women who produce handmade souvenirs and crocheted items sold to guests.
Gordana Dulović is widely recognized for supporting rural women and sharing her life story publicly through publications and media dedicated to women living in harmony with nature and traditional mountain life.
Her participation in the publication “Invisible Women of Montenegro” helped bring significant public attention to rural women and their role in preservation of traditional lifestyles and sustainable communities.
GUIDELINES FOR GUESTS
We kindly invite you to help us preserve the spirit of Big Grove and its mountain surroundings.
ENERGY
Please:
- switch off lights when not needed
- avoid unnecessary charging of devices
- use warm water responsibly
The household carefully manages energy consumption and uses renewable energy wherever possible.
WATER
Water is precious in mountain areas.
Please:
- avoid unnecessary water use
- reuse towels whenever possible
- request room cleaning only when necessary
The household carefully protects local water resources and surrounding environment.
WASTE
Please help us minimize waste:
- avoid unnecessary plastic
- use designated waste bins
- do not litter in nature
Reusable packaging and biodegradable materials are used in our household.
NATURE
You are staying in a preserved mountain ecosystem.
Please:
- respect plants and wildlife
- avoid disturbing animals
- stay on marked paths
- do not collect protected plants
- do not light fires in nature without permission
Nature is the foundation of life on the katun.
ANIMALS & FARM
Big Grove is an active farming household.
Please:
- do not feed animals without consulting the hosts
- avoid disturbing livestock
- keep respectful distance where needed
If you would like interaction with animals or farming activities, the family will gladly guide you.
PEACE & QUIET
Sinjajevina is a place for:
- silence
- mountain nature
- relaxation
- authentic rural life
Please:
- respect quiet evening hours
- avoid excessive noise
Many guests come specifically to enjoy peace, star gazing, and natural sounds of the mountain.
HIKING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Guests are welcome to:
- hike
- cycle
- pick blueberries
- explore mountain trails
Please:
- wear suitable clothing and footwear
- bring water during hikes
- ask the hosts for route recommendations and safety advice
Mountain weather can change quickly.
FOOD & DIETARY NEEDS
Please inform us in advance about:
- allergies
- intolerances
- dietary preferences
The family will gladly adapt meals based on your needs.
RESPECT FOR THE HOUSEHOLD
You are visiting a family home and active katun household created with work, tradition, and care for nature.
Please:
- treat the property respectfully
- respect the hosts and other guests
- ask if you need any assistance
We want you to feel at home.
THANK YOU
By staying at Big Grove you support:
- preservation of transhumance traditions
- protection of Sinjajevina landscapes
- local farming families
- traditional food production
- sustainable tourism in Montenegro
- preservation of cultural heritage and biodiversity
Thank you for being part of this story.
Welcome to Big Grove.
2 Comments. Leave new
Very interesting place. Home made food from local raw materials. Lady is making cheese from milk from her cows. Also local eggs etc. Prices get little bit higher during last years, but still good and reasonable. Very cheap accomodation – sleeping in few nicely equipped rooms (6 beds rooms) inside building, or you can build a tent on the grass 🙂 Just bathroom is… hmm… very balkan style 🙂 Nothing for delicate travellers. So one star minus.
BTW you can also park car there… if your car will be able to reach that place. From my point of view SUV is minimum. Or coroded balcan VW Golf.
Majestic surrounding, unspoiled nature and warm hospitality. ❤ We felt very welcome and would certainly recommended. Peaceful place with homemade food.