This hike will take about 2.5 hours in each direction. The cache is part of our historic collection featuring Austro-Hungarian fortresses marking the boundary between what was formally Montenegro and part of the Austro-Hungarian empire when the Boka was an important naval harbour for the fleet. The forts were built on the highest points around the Boka Kotorska between 1806 and 1918 with connecting wide pathways, and many provide stunning viewpoints. You will get views of several beautiful forts on this hike, including "Under" and "Sveti Andrije" as well as simply stunning views over the Boka and the Adriatic, and if the weather is clear, the Durmitor massif in the far distance. Park your car at the crossroads in Gornja Ledenice, having followed the signs as you ascend the hairpin road from Risan in the direction of Grahovo. From there on foot, follow the old Austro-Hunagarian roadway to your right up two zig-zags, before continuing straight on at the 3rd zig zag. Pass the tiny farming hamlet of Ubalac and at the interesting junction in the old road, take the left fork. The layout of the road boundary stones here should give a clue suggesting that this fort was built later than some of the others. A stone plaque on the way up the mountain has the date 1910-11 on it in memory of the "2nd Company". The right fork would lead you on to another fortress, Sveti Andrije or Vranovo Brdo. The fortress for this cache however is Šanik, (pronounced Shar-neek). It has many interesting features, a water cistern inside from which the hamlet community now draws water, and a beautifully preserved well with stone hand basin below the ramparts accessed by a flight of stone steps. To find the cache, you must enter the fort. The builders inscribed on a stone tablet an interesting fact about the fortress's location. Divide the number you see by 110, and add the answer to the least significant digit of both North and East coordinates to find the exact location. A detour on your return via the small community of Ulavac should be made visiting the tiny ruined church, where you will see the bell with lovely inscriptions. In the village is a traditional threshing floor. Speak to the inhabitants. They are very friendly.
If you enjoyed this cache and want to learn more about these fortresses, check out "The Austro-Hungarian Fortresses of Montenegro - A Hikers Guide" This is available from Amazon Books, "So Bookstore" in Herceg Novi or the "Forza Souvenir Shop" by the main gate in Kotor.
If you already have a copy, please post a photo holding it near the fortress!