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.