Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park & Žabljak – Montenegro’s Mountain Wonderland

Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980, sprawls across northern Montenegro with an average altitude of 1,500m, encompassing the municipalities of Žabljak, Šavnik, Plužine, Mojkovac, and Pljevlja. Its rugged terrain is marked by over forty peaks above 2,000m, including the iconic Bobotov Kuk (2,523m), and a network of deep canyons carved over millennia.

The park is home to 18 glacial lakes, known locally as “mountain eyes.” Black Lake, nestled in a coniferous forest at the foot of Medjed near Žabljak, is the most famous. Its unique underground bifurcation allows water to flow into two separate rivers, the Tara and Piva. In summer, the lake is perfect for swimming and walking; in winter, it freezes into a natural skating rink. Other lakes, such as Trnovačko, Zminje, and the Big and Small Škrčko Lakes, offer stunning backdrops for hiking, photography, and relaxation.

Žabljak, at 1,450m, is the heart of Durmitor and Montenegro’s premier winter resort. Surrounded by the park’s highest peaks, it offers marked hiking trails, ski slopes, chair lifts, and guided mountain climbing services. The town’s architecture—steep-roofed mountain cottages—blends harmoniously with the alpine landscape, creating a cosy, authentic mountain atmosphere. Culinary highlights include local prosciutto, cheeses, kastradina (dried mutton), lamb dishes, pies, and fresh trout.

Tara River Canyon, the “Tear of Europe,” lies just 20 km east of Žabljak. At 68 km long and up to 1,300m deep, it is Europe’s deepest canyon and second only to the Grand Canyon globally. The emerald green river flows through dramatic gorges, offering thrilling rafting, canoeing, and zipline adventures, while its banks are cloaked in black pine, hornbeam, ash, and spruce forests.

Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, alpine serenity, or a glimpse into Montenegro’s natural wonders, Durmitor National Park and Žabljak offer a spectacular and authentic mountain experience.

Durmitor Ring (Durmitorski Prsten) is a panoramic driving route encircling the park, ideal for exploring from Žabljak or nearby towns. The route crosses Sušica Canyon, offers detours to scenic viewpoints like Ćurevac, and winds through mountain villages such as Mala Crna Gora, known for its isolation in winter months.

For the more adventurous, Nevidio Canyon, 50 km south of Žabljak, presents one of Europe’s most challenging alpine adventures. Narrow, three-and-a-half-kilometre-long passages, cascading waterfalls, and towering cliffs demand full climbing gear and experience, culminating in the dramatic “Gate of Kamikazes” section—an unforgettable journey for expert mountaineers.

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