In Zupci, waterfalls, trails and local culture come together. Skak Waterfall lies above Vickovići and next to Dumezići; a hiking route leads to a church and a monastery, and the Church of St. John is along the SJ05 Bar cycling route. There are also climbing routes and culinary specialties. When planning, it is worth choosing between outdoor activities, nature and village history—and keeping seasonal conditions in mind for the trails and waterfall.
Hiking, Cycling and Climbing in Zupci
A hiking route leads from the village of Zupci via St. Ivan Church and Ribnjak Monastery to Mužić and Sutorman. In 2022, it was listed among the maintained hiking trails; current trail conditions may differ. Check the conditions before setting out. Maintenance is planned for the Zupci–Mužice–PPT trail. Here, too, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions before you set off.
On the SJ05 Bar cycling route, an asphalt lane takes you to the Church of St. John in Zupci; from there, the route continues downhill to Bar. Road and surface conditions can change, so check them before riding. Those who prefer climbing will find 15 routes at the climbing area, graded from 3 to 9, as listed on a 2022 tourism map. The selection may change; the area is considered suitable for everyone.
The routes differ in their focus: the hiking trail connects several named places, the cycling route passes the church and continues to Bar, and the stated difficulty grades guide the selection at the climbing area. This makes it possible to tailor outdoor activity to your preferred pursuit, without combining all the routes into a single tour.
Church, Monastery and Customs
Ribnjak Monastery is located in the village of Zupci and is classified as cultural heritage. The Church of St. John the Baptist is also closely connected with the history of the area: it was built on the site of an older church, which had been relocated from Ribnjak in 1844 following the 1667 earthquake. St. John the Baptist is regarded as the patron and protector of Zupci.
On the eve of the Feast of St. John, fires traditionally called Ivanjski kresovi are lit, and children jump over them. How the celebration is observed today may vary. Zupci is also known for old customs surrounding baptism, weddings and funerals. Historically, wedding customs and ceremonial toasts differed from those in Bar and the surrounding villages; present-day practices may differ.
Skak and the Regional Cuisine
Skak consists of three waterfalls. The waterfalls are said to be over 100 metres high; the tallest is about 40 metres. At the foot, the cascades form a small lake. Visibility and water flow vary by season, and the lake also depends on rainfall and the time of year. The experience of the waterfall therefore cannot be planned independently of local conditions.
The regional cuisine also offers some specific options: the Babić household in Zupci offers olive oil, juices, fruit preserves, fig cake and homemade rakija. Regional specialties include Zubački cheese, prijesnac, obarak and stufada. Prijesnac is a traditional dish from Zupci, made for St. John’s Day with cheese, eggs, milk and rice; preparation may vary from household to household. Zupci is also known for mulberry brandy and several centuries-old white mulberry trees.
Bar as a Wider Planning Context
Those considering Bar as a whole will find a broader landscape stretching between the Adriatic coast and Lake Skadar. In Lake Skadar National Park, there are nine marked hiking trails that visitors can explore independently using a map. Maps are available at the visitor centres in Virpazar and Vranjina. The park also offers five cycling routes and two mountain biking trails; cycling routes begin, among other places, in Virpazar. These options complement Zupci’s own hiking, cycling and cultural attractions with further nature experiences in the Bar destination.
Discover more destinations: Tomba, Gluhi Do, Sutomore, Bar, Mišići, Bukovik, Dupilo, Miljevci
Back to the main travel overview: Bar.
