Čemernik

Mountain Čemernik is a mountain of Vlasina, of mild relief, whose highest peak is called Veliki Čemernik and is 1638 meters high. Two other important peaks on this mountain are Kula with 1622 meters above sea level, and Mali Čemernik, which is 1596 meters high. Mountain Čemernik is quite a spacious and extremely wooded mountain. There are wild deciduous, century-old forests in the whole area of Čemernik. After the Second World War, the density of forests was further increased when coniferous trees were systematically planted in the small remaining area. Like all the mountains around Lake Vlasina, Čemernik is rich in rivers and streams, and the most important rivers are Vlasina, Vrla and South Morava. There are many diverse plants on Čemernik, many of which are medicinal, but also čemerika, a poisonous plant after which the mountain itself got its name. Another legend about the name of this mountain is related to the Battle of Kosovo itself. Namely, Duke Dejan, at the invitation of Prince Lazar, gathered the army and stopped in Vilina lug. From the long journey, the soldiers, stunned by the smell of grass, fell asleep and were late for the Battle of Kosovo. Duke Dejan cried, cursing the fragrant grass: ""Oh, black and gloomy grass, eternally black and gloomy was, you made us drunk and put us to sleep, and we were late for the battle and lost the kingdom."" Since then, Vilin lug has been called Crna Trava, and the mountain Čemernik Čemernik is famous for blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. On the mountains Čemernik and Gramada, the mountain manifestation ""International Vlasina ascent"" is being held, which is organized by the Ski and Mountaineering Club ""Vlasina"" from Surdulica, starting from 2013. Every two years, the destination of this action changes, that is, Čemernik and Gramada change. The access to Veliki Čemernik, because this mountain is gladly visited by both mountaineers and recreationists, is from Lake Vlasina. From here, there are three trails, which will certainly connect before the final section below Veliki Čemernik. Starting points can be the Koljandini neighborhood, the Lujinci neighborhood, and a hotel on Lake Vlasina. The trail from the hotel is the most popular and easiest. It takes only 13 kilometers to reach the top and back, and the height difference to the top is only 400 meters. Especially in the summer months, crossing this trail does not require too much effort. On the other hand, it passes through picturesque nature. Dense forests and vast pastures alternate, from which extraordinary views of the mountains in the near and far surroundings of Lake Vlasina open up. Thus, from the approach to Veliki Čemernik you can see the entire surface of Lake Vlasina, and the mountains Gramada, Rudina, Ruj, Milevska mountain, Bohovska mountain, Varednik, Besna kobila, Tumba, Talambas, Ostrozub, Kukavica, Radan, Suva planina. The very top of Veliki Čemernik is not a good lookout point, because there is a dense forest around it, and it itself is not so elevated in relation to the surroundings. Mountaineers from more remote parts of Serbia, or neighboring Bulgaria, come here for two or three days, and regularly walk this easy trail, and the next day or the next day they use the ascent to climb some of the surrounding mountains, such as Vardenik or Gramada.