Durmitor SkyRace
Steep, technical skyrunning across Durmitor with a finish line at Black Lake.
This event has ended
It returns every year — dates for the next edition haven't been announced yet.
Its home ground needs little introduction. Durmitor's skyline of fins, towers and scree-lined couloirs is the most alpine terrain in Montenegro, and precisely the kind of ground skyrunning was invented for: where the trail races circle the lakes, the SkyRace goes up into the rock itself.
Skyrunning is mountain running at its most vertical: courses follow steep, exposed and rocky ground over the peaks rather than around them, demanding sure feet and a strong head for heights as much as fitness. The Durmitor course takes competitors over the massif's high terrain and awards points in a regional skyrunning series, which draws a competitive field from across the neighbourhood.
For spectators, the drama concentrates at the finish: the course descends to Black Lake, where the field comes home through the pine forest against one of Montenegro's most famous backdrops. It makes for one of the more spectacular finish lines anywhere in the country.
For visiting runners the event slots neatly into a Durmitor holiday — Žabljak's accommodation and cafés are minutes from the lake, and the national park's gentler trails offer easy shakeout terrain either side of race day. Supporters can spend the racing hours on the lake circuit before drifting toward the finish area for the main spectacle.
The race is held in early September with Black Lake as the finish venue near Žabljak. Entry fees apply for competitors; watching from the lakeside costs nothing beyond the national park's entrance fee.
What to expect
True skyrunning terrain
Steep, exposed and technical ground over the Durmitor peaks — running at its most vertical.
Regional series points
The race counts toward a regional skyrunning series, attracting strong fields from across the region.
Black Lake finish
The course descends to the shore of Crno jezero, giving spectators a spectacular finish-line backdrop.
A young race with ambition
First held recently — its second edition ran on 27 July 2024 — and growing fast alongside Durmitor's established races.
Free from the lakeside
Watching costs nothing beyond the national park's entrance fee at Black Lake.
What happens when
September 5, 2026
- Race dayA technical skyrunning course over Durmitor's steep, exposed high terrain
- Series stakesThe race awards points in a regional skyrunning series, drawing a competitive field
- The finishRunners descend to a finish line at Black Lake, in front of spectators on the lakeshore
Where it takes place
Where to Eat in Žabljak
“Partner” marks a paid placement. We verify the details with the venue’s official source.
Plan your stay
Žabljak — where to stay and how to get around
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.
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Winter Ascent of Hajla — Safet Mavrić Ćako Memorial
The region's most massive winter mountaineering ascent — Hajla, 2,403 m, each February from Rožaje.
Lim River Regatta (Limska regata)
A three-day flotilla down 130 km of the Lim, from Lake Plav to Prijepolje.
Ocean Lava Montenegro
Triathlon in the Bay of Kotor with two races (half marathon and Olympic distance) on a course through the UNESCO zone of Kotor.
