Mountains
Hiking
Hundreds of kilometres of marked trails lead to the peaks, lakes, and canyons of Durmitor.
The Highest Town in the Balkans – 1,456m, Gateway to Durmitor National Park
Žabljak, situated at 1,456 metres above sea level in northwestern Montenegro, is the highest urban settlement in the Balkans and the main gateway to Durmitor National Park – a UNESCO-protected area.
The town is surrounded by 23 mountain peaks exceeding 2,200 metres, 18 glacial lakes, and the canyon of the Tara River, the deepest in Europe. The tourist season runs year-round: in winter, skiing dominates on the slopes of Savin kuk, while summer brings hiking, rafting, and visits to Crno jezero. In 1991, Žabljak was chosen as the capital of the world's first ecological state – Montenegro.
Highlights
Crno jezero is the largest and most famous of Durmitor's 18 glacial lakes, situated at 1,416 metres above sea level just 2 km from the centre of Žabljak. The lake consists of two parts – Veliko jezero and Malo jezero – connected by a narrow channel that dries up in summer, creating two separate lakes. The educational trail around the lake is 3.6 km long and winds through a black pine forest with views of the Međed peak. A restaurant serving local cuisine is located on the shore.
Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world, with sheer walls rising up to 1,300 metres. The Tara River stretches 144 km and has been under UNESCO protection since 1977 as part of a biosphere reserve. The emerald-green, crystal-clear waters of the Tara attract divers, anglers, and rafting enthusiasts from across Europe. The Đurđevića Tara bridge, built in 1940 and standing 172 metres above the river, offers one of the most dramatic views of the canyon.
Bobotov kuk is the highest peak of the Durmitor massif (long thought to be Montenegro's highest, although the country's highest summit is Zla Kolata in Prokletije), rising to 2,523 metres above sea level. The ascent begins at Sedlo at 1,907m and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to the summit, passing through high-altitude rocky terrain. From the top, views extend across much of Montenegro, including Pivsko jezero and Bjelasica. The trail is marked and accessible to hikers in good physical condition without specialist technical equipment from June to September.
Savin kuk is Žabljak's main ski resort, located 5 km from the town centre on the slopes of the peak of the same name. The resort's lifts climb to 2,213 metres above sea level. The resort has two double chairlifts and several ski tows, with a total run length of 5,500 metres. Snow on Durmitor lasts an average of 120 days per year, making Savin kuk one of the most reliable ski resorts in the region.
The Church of the Transfiguration is the only original building in Žabljak to have survived the destruction of World War II, when the entire town was burned to the ground. It was built in 1862 to commemorate the victory of Montenegrin soldiers over the Ottoman Empire and is the oldest preserved structure in the town. The church is located in the centre of Žabljak and is accessible to visitors throughout the year. Its historical significance makes it a must-see stop for anyone wishing to understand the turbulent past of this mountain town.
What to do
Mountains
Hundreds of kilometres of marked trails lead to the peaks, lakes, and canyons of Durmitor.
On the water
A descent through the 1,300m-deep Tara Canyon – one of the most popular adventures in Montenegro.
Mountains
Savin kuk ski resort offers runs with lifts up to 2,213 m with snow for around 120 days per year.
Food & wine
The Tara River and Durmitor's mountain lakes are renowned fishing grounds for trout and grayling.
Adventure
The slopes of Durmitor offer routes for cyclists of all levels with panoramic views of the lakes.
Food & Drink
PartnerŽabljak
The Walter grill chain's outpost in Žabljak, the mountain town at the gateway to Durmitor National Park. Grilled meat, ćevapi and pljeskavica in large portions – the kind of meal that suits a day spent hiking or skiing. One of the few reliably open, quick options in a town where restaurant hours can be seasonal.
“Partner” marks a paid placement. We verify the details with the venue’s official source.
Plan your stay
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online – you pay the host on site.
Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.
Narration, a map and the full text in the browser – no app, works offline.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
One-way hiking tour from Velika Previja to Bolj is 5.8 km long. With 331 m of total ascent and 484 m of descent, it is demanding and passes through Durmitor National Park.
5.8 km331 m2½–3½ h
View trail
The trail, 8.9 km long, leads from Ivan Do to Gornja Ališnica through Durmitor National Park. With a total ascent of 1244 m and a duration of approximately 6 h 20 min, it is intended for experienced hikers.
8.9 km1,244 m5½–7½ h
View trail
A one-way hiking tour from Crno jezero to Lokvice, 9.6 km long with a total ascent of 933 m. It leads through Durmitor National Park, past the Točak spring, an alpine bivouac, and viewpoints.
9.6 km933 m4½–6½ h
View trail
The Žabljak – Šljeme trail is 10.3 km long, with an ascent of 143 m and a descent of 1078 m. It passes through Durmitor National Park and takes about 3 h 55 min.
10.3 km143 m3½–4½ h
View trail
A trail of 11.6 km leads from the Škrka Mountain Lodge to the Škrčka Lakes through Durmitor National Park. The trail is demanding, with a total ascent of 542 m and descent of 821 m, passing several mountain springs and offering a beautiful viewpoint.
11.6 km542 m4–6 h
View trail
The hiking trail from Žabljak to Šarban via Bobotov kuk is 11.7 km long, with a total ascent of 1090 m and descent of 831 m. It passes through Durmitor National Park and takes approximately 6 h 45 min without breaks.
11.7 km1,090 m5½–8 h
View trail
A very demanding hiking tour of 23.5 km in Durmitor National Park. It leads from Šarban via Škrka to Nedajno, with an ascent of 1394 m and the highest point at 2109 m above sea level.
23.5 km1,394 m8½–12 h
View trail
Montenegrin Transversal 1 is a very demanding multi-day one-way hiking tour. It is 143.3 km long, with a total ascent of 5436 m and descent of 5187 m, and passes through two national parks.
143 km5,436 m6–9 days
View trailGallery
Did You Know?
Žabljak was chosen in 1991 as the capital of the world's first ecological state – Montenegro – making it a symbol of environmental commitment long before sustainability became a global trend. capital of the world's first ecological state
Plan Your Visit
Phone
+382 52 360 228Website
zabljak.travelThe town is accessible 24/7. Durmitor National Park entry: 08:00–20:00 during the summer season, by arrangement in winter.
Durmitor National Park day ticket: €5 per person (price list at nparkovi.me).
Free parking in front of the Durmitor National Park entrance. Paid parking is available in the centre of Žabljak.
The centre of Žabljak is mostly accessible, but the mountain terrain and trails around the lakes are not suitable for wheelchair users. The path around Black Lake is partially adapted.
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