About the mountains in Montenegro: tips for tourists to make independent routes

If Montenegro could be leveled, it would be the largest country in the world. Montenegro is a country of black mountains, almost completely covered with hills. They descend steeply to the Adriatic coast in the south and rise to high peaks in the north. The mountains of Montenegro are a local natural attraction that can be visited by accompanying climbers and ordinary tourists, independent travelers.

About the relief of the country

“Montenegro is a country of different landscapes. The coast in the south, the high mountains in the north, the largest lake in the Balkans, virgin forests, deep gorges and five national parks. 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles) of walking and cycling routes pass through the country, covering an area of only 14,000 km (5,405 miles). This is less than in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Montenegro is still a clue for insiders, but the number of tourists is steadily growing.

A frog that is worth a visit

Let’s start the tour at the ski resort Žabljak. It is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) and is therefore the tallest city in Southeast Europe. In summer the Frog is sleepy; only a few tourists can be seen at the resort. By car you can drive along the Durmitor Ring, one of the four panoramic roads that can be used to explore the mountains of Montenegro in the region.

Interesting facts about the mountains in Zabljak:

• 3 tourist routes have been developed. The fourth is scheduled to open by the end of 2021.
• For the first acquaintance with the resort it is recommended to go to the observation deck.
• Durmitor translates as a mountain on which the gods sleep. But these are local legends, the exact origin of the name is still unknown.
• Durmitor Mountains have 48 peaks, maximum height is 2000 meters.

Near the hills are villages and small towns. The main activity of the residents is sheep grazing and cheese making. The houses are like multicolored pebbles scattered across the plain. This is Katun, a mountain village where farmers live with their livestock: cows, sheep and goats, whose milk is used to make cheese and butter.

Sushica Gorge in Montenegro

Long sections of the panoramic road pass through the Durmitor National Park, founded in 1952. It is home to more than 1,600 species of plants, including many native ones that can only be found here. It is home to about 50 species of mammals, including wolves, brown bears, lynxes, chamois, golden eagles and capercaillies. Entrance to the park costs three euros (3.38 US dollars). It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

One of the attractions of the park is the gorge Sushitsa. Such formations are common in the mountains of Montenegro. However, the gorge has a number of features:

• Dean is 15 kilometers, depth – up to 700 meters.
• The river Sushitsa flows below. Kayak rafting is organized on it.
• A dirt mountain road runs along the gorge. Drivers without experience are not recommended to drive on it.
• Hiking routes for tourists have been developed.

This part of the Montenegrin mountains can only be reached by car. An alternative is to book an excursion. Independent travel is not recommended. There are difficult mountain routes, you can get lost without knowing the area.

Lake Sushichko in the Durmitor Mountains

The next destination is Lake Sushichko, located in the valley. Quiet and secluded, it is located between the rocks. There are few tourists here. The reason is the remote location from the main resorts of Montenegro.

If you want to see this lake, you should be lucky: “In summer it dries out completely,” explains our audio guide. There is a mountain hut on the shore. Here you can spend the night for about ten euros per person. From here begins a hiking trail that leads seven kilometers to two more mountain lakes.

The car is fighting uphill again. We reach a plateau covered with a carpet of flowers, on which cows graze. This could be a place from a fantasy series. It smells of wild thyme, crickets and birds chirp. Otherwise, silence – until a few motorcyclists rush. Motorcyclists from all over Europe come here. Montenegro is a huge playground for them because of its winding roads.

Dinaric Alps

At the entrance to the Durmitor Mountains, lush meadows are replaced by rocky terrain. The mountains are part of the Dinaric Alps and were formed by the movement of tectonic plates. At an altitude of about 1800 meters (1.1 miles) rises the peak of Mount Prutash. It is located at an altitude of 2393 meters (1.49 miles). Snow is shimmering in some crevices, and its temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). According to legend, it was the fairies who slammed their nails into the protruding structures in the mountain rock.

The last stop is at an altitude of 1907 meters (1.18 miles) at the Saddle Pass. It is the starting point for several mountain trails, such as Bobotov Kuk, 2523 meters (1.57 miles) high, the highest peak in the Durmitor massif. You can see two women in street gear climbing the slope, small as ants, in the valley in front of the ridge.

According to tourism expert Andri Stanovich, the concept of the panoramic road was successful: “Since the route was opened in autumn 2018, we have had 40 percent more visitors to the national park,” he said.

After about four hours 76 kilometers (47 miles) we returned to our starting point in Zabljak. From here we take a detour to Black Lake. It is considered a tourist attraction of Montenegro. From the parking lot, many vacationers in bathing sandals slap to the lake. In front of us staggers a Chinese woman in a straw hat and – oh yes, in high heels. Once on the beach, she poses for photos with a purple umbrella from the sun.

On the four-kilometer trail around the lake there are different opportunities to portray yourself in the photo: bridges, frames, benches in a rustic style. Tourists from all over the world pose for an Instagram post: “And that’s not all,” says Andri Stanovich. “When the water level in the lake drops in the summer, there are even more pedestrian bridges and platforms.”

Tips for organizing hikes

Several popular routes in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula have been developed. Most pass near the border with Herzegovina or Albania. Tourists and independent travelers are advised to book guide services. He will help in organizing the campaign, will tell the rules that the state imposes. The territory for exploring the mountains of Montenegro is large, you can choose an easy tourist route or stay on a professional one for experienced climbers.

Recommendations for organizing a hike in the mountains of Montenegro:

• For the first visit you can visit the top of Zla-Kolata. It is located on the border with Alanya
• The guide should prepare tourist equipment. He will tell you what to take for a particular route.
• Find out the exact time of passage. This should be a day trip.

The mountains of Montenegro are the perfect backdrop for a photo that will look like a photo of wildlife and outdoor adventures. The good news here is that if you want, you can really experience an outdoor adventure in the wild – and at the same time do it quite calmly. Alternatively, you can go on a comfortable round trip by car.