Montenegro's longest cave, in the Đalovića Gorge
Đalovića Cave, also called the Cave above Vražji Firovi, opens on the left side of the Đalovića Gorge, the canyon of the Bistrica river, about 3 km upstream of Podvrh Monastery, which lies 25 km north-east of Bijelo Polje.
Cavers have been exploring it since 1987 and have recorded about 20 kilometres of passages so far, making it the longest known cave in Montenegro. Inside are dozens of lakes, sumps, mazes of passages and the Cathedral chamber with the Monolith stalagmite. The cave is not set up for tourist visits – you can hike through the gorge to the entrance, but only experienced cavers go inside.
Highlights
The cave is named after four stepped hollows in the limestone below the entrance, filled with water. In spring, when the water is high, the two lower entrances become seasonal springs and the water roars from basin to basin – which is why locals called the place Vražji Firovi, the Devil's Pools. The main entrance is the highest, at 764 metres above sea level.
From the entrance the way leads through the Passage of Lakes, a part of the cave that is still active: it holds 15 permanent and between 20 and 30 seasonal lakes. Sharp slopes and vertical drops make it hard going, and there are few formations here.
On the upper level of the cave some fifteen passages of different sizes form the Great and Small Labyrinth. There is little water here and the most formations – many cavers consider it the most beautiful part of the cave.
The Great Passage is on average about 8 metres wide, in places up to 20; it is about 20 metres high and in places up to 60 metres. In its Cathedral chamber stands the Monolith, a stalagmite about 18 metres tall – the tallest in the cave.
The farthest part of the cave lies behind sumps, flooded passages about 20, 70 and 20 metres long that cave divers have passed. Beyond them are the Great Chamber, the longest lake in the cave and the Crystal Chamber. Exploration in that direction stopped at the fourth sump.
The state has been building a complex with a visitor centre and a cable car from Podvrh Monastery to the cave entrance. Work stalled in 2021 after an unauthorised breakthrough of an entrance. According to the Ministry of Public Works (June 2026), the substation and power line for the visitor centre are finished and work on the cable car continues. The cave is not yet open to tourists and no opening date is known.
What to do
A forest trail from Podvrh Monastery along the Bistrica, past the Juriško spring, to Vražji Firovi.
For now the inside of the cave is terrain for experienced cavers with equipment and for divers in the sumps.
The Church of St Nicholas from 1606 at the mouth of the gorge, with frescoes by the priest Strahinja of Budimlja.
The Bistrica canyon, up to about 600 metres deep, protected as a natural monument since 1968.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
The 3.3 km trail leads through Đalovića Gorge to Đalovića Cave at 876 m a.s.l. An earthen surface and moderate ascent make it easy and suitable for the whole family.
3.3 km229 m2½–3½ h
View trailA cycling route 110.7 km long with 2882 m of ascent. It leads from Rožaje through the Pešter region, with viewpoints, peaks and water fountains; very demanding and intended for experienced riders.
111 km2,882 m2–3 days
View trailThe BP02 cycling route is 51.4 km long and runs point-to-point through the surroundings of Bijelo Polje. It has a total ascent of 1468 m, a total descent of 880 m, and an estimated duration of 6 h 20 min without breaks.
51.4 km1,468 m5½–7½ h
View trail
The Brzava – Šiško Lake hiking trail is 26.3 km long and leads through Biogradska Gora National Park. With 1589 m of ascent and the highest point at 2011 m above sea level, it is intended for experienced hikers.
26.3 km1,589 m8½–11½ h
View trail
A demanding one-way cycling route 398,8 km long, with a total ascent of 9352 m. It passes through Biogradska Gora National Park and Durmitor National Park, past Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Nikšić and Žabljak.
399 km9,352 m5–8 days
View trailPlan 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.
Plan Your Visit
The cave is not open as a show cave and has no opening hours. You can walk to the entrance all year when the weather and trail allow.
Leave the car at Podvrh Monastery, at the end of the road, where the trail into the gorge starts.
The trail to the entrance runs through forest and is steep in places; the inside of the cave is accessible only to cavers with equipment.
FAQ
Around here
Explore More
