Pristine lakes, deep canyons, ancient forests, and dramatic coastline – discover Montenegro's natural wonders.
Five national parks, glacial lakes, deep canyons and mountains an hour or two from the sea.
Montenegro is a small country that, within a few hours' drive, joins the sea, Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, and mountains with glacial lakes. It has five national parks: Durmitor with the Tara River Canyon, on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1980, Biogradska gora, Lovćen, Lake Skadar and Prokletije. Here you will find every place on one map, trails with maps and tips for the road.
Mountains, primeval forest, glacial lakes and wetlands – every park has a character of its own.
A mountain massif in northwestern Montenegro with 48 peaks, 18 glacial lakes, and the deepest canyon in Europe.
Montenegro's youngest national park with peaks exceeding 2,500 m above sea level, wild nature, and legends on the border of Albania and Kosovo.
A national park featuring the largest lake in the Balkans, rich birdlife, monasteries, and water-based activities.
Pick a kind of landscape – the map and the list beside it show only those places.
LakeCrno JezeroThe largest glacial lake of Durmitor, located 3 km from Žabljak at 1,418 m above sea level, surrounded by dense pine forest.
LakeŠasko LakeŠasko Lake, located in the hinterland of Ulcinj, is part of one of the most important natural zones in southern Montenegro, together with the Bojana River delta.
LakeManito LakeManito Lake is a small glacial lake on Mount Lukavica, at 1,773 m a.s.l., 220 m long and 13 m deep, known for its clear dark-green water.
LakeVražje jezeroA glacial lake on the Jezersko-Drobnjačka plateau, 630 m long, surrounded by open pastures along the old caravan route Nikšić–Pljevlja.
LakeTrnovačko LakeA heart-shaped glacial lake at 1,517 m elevation, surrounded by the mountains Maglić, Volujak, and Bioč in the municipality of Plužine.
LakeBukumirsko jezeroA glacial lake in the Kuči Mountains, 210 m long and 17 m deep, situated at 1,448 m above sea level, approximately 50 km from Podgorica.
LakeRiblje jezeroA glacial lake on the Drobnjačka plateau of Durmitor, 5.5 m deep, known for its rich brown trout stock and UNESCO stećci in the surrounding area.
LakeŠiško LakeVeliko Šiško Lake is of glacial origin and is located in the central part of Bjelasica, 20 km from Berane, at an elevation of 1,660 m above sea level.
LakeZminičko LakeA glacial lake at an altitude of 1,285 m, located near the village of Zminica at the foot of Mount Sinjajevina.
LakeHridsko LakeHridsko Lake lies at 1,970 m above sea level, 18 km from Plav, surrounded by endemic-relict pine forests and 245 species of algae.
LakePešića LakePešića Lake is a mountain lake near Berane, nestled on Bjelasica – the only Montenegrin mountain of volcanic origin.
LakeLake PlavLake Plav is the largest glacial lake in Montenegro, covering 2 km², rich in fish and ideal for swimming, kayaking, and fishing.
LakeSušičko jezeroSušičko jezero in Durmitor National Park is unique in that it completely dries up every year during the summer months.
LakeKapetanovo jezeroA glacial lake at 1,678 m elevation, crystal clear green in colour, rich in fish and surrounded by mountain peaks.
LakeStabanska LakesMalo and Veliko Stabansko Lake at the foot of Mount Volujak – glacial lakes with greenish water rich in trout.
LakeRikavačko jezeroA glacial lake at 1,314m elevation in the Žijovo massif, accessible only by off-road vehicle or on foot.
CanyonTara River CanyonThe Tara canyon is 78 km long and up to about 1,300 m deep; the Đurđevića Tara bridge of 1940 spans it, and the river is run by raft.
CanyonPiva CanyonThe Piva river canyon near Plužine: 33 km long and up to 1,200 m deep, with the 220-metre Mratinje Dam, Lake Piva and a road through 57 tunnels.
CanyonMorača CanyonThe Morača canyon and its narrowest part, Platije, crossed by the old Podgorica – Kolašin road, with Morača Monastery and the Mrtvica canyon nearby.
CanyonNevidio CanyonA narrow gorge of the Komarnica river near Pošćenje, in Šavnik municipality. First passed in 1965, it is now visited only with licensed guides.
MountainBjelasicaA mountain of volcanic origin in northern Montenegro, with Crna Glava (2,139 m), six glacial lakes, Biogradska Gora and the Kolašin 1450 and 1600 ski centres.
MountainKomoviA detached mountain massif in eastern Montenegro with three summits above 2,400 m – Kučki, Vasojevićki and Ljevorečki Kom – and the Štavna, Ljuban and Carine katuns.
CaveLipa CaveMontenegro's only show cave open to visitors: 2.5 km of passages and halls with cave formations, a guided tour and a little train to the entrance.
CaveĐalovića CaveThe Cave above Vražji Firovi in the Đalovića Gorge near Bijelo Polje – the longest explored cave in Montenegro, with lakes, sumps and a stalagmite about 18 metres tall.
WaterfallNiagara Falls on the CijevnaA waterfall about 10 metres high on the Cijevna river at Rakića Kuće, in Tuzi municipality, seven kilometres from Podgorica. It carries most water in spring and after rain.
ViewpointĆehotina Meanders ViewpointA natural phenomenon of the Ćehotina River meanders seen from a viewpoint in the village of Mataruge, ideal for photography and enjoying nature.
61 beachesBeaches and the coastExplore the beachesMarked routes with maps and elevation profiles – from easy walks to full-day summits.
A one-way hiking trail from Čakor Pass to Žljeb is 52.1 km long and covers 3,118 m of ascent. It is intended for experienced hikers (SAC T5) and offers peaks, passes, huts and springs.
52.1 km3,118 m3–4 days
View trail
The circular hiking trail in Prokletije National Park is 180.8 km long. With 9,342 m of total ascent and a highest point at 2,267 m above sea level, it is intended for experienced hikers.
181 km9,342 m9–12 daysLoop
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EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route – Montenegro Section is a cycling route 195.0 km long from Njivice to Sukobin. It runs on asphalt, has 3,259 m of ascent and passes through the coastal area, Lovćen National Park and Lake Skadar.
195 km3,259 m2–3 days
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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
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The one-way hiking trail from Štavna to Pajkov Vir is 8.2 km long. With 347 m of ascent and 332 m of descent, it mostly follows a dirt and forest trail, with springs and camps along the route.
8.2 km347 m2½–3½ h
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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
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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
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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
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The trail of 11.3 km leads from Krstac to Vrioca with a total ascent of 616 m. It is demanding and intended for experienced hikers who want a long, varied walk through the mountain terrain above Mojkovac.
11.3 km616 m3½–5 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 trailWhat each season brings – when to hike, swim, ski or watch the colours change.
March – May
Full rivers, green hills and the first swims – March to May
Spring in MontenegroJune – August
Warm sea, festival nights and cool mountains – June to August
Summer in MontenegroSeptember – November
Warm sea, turning beech forests and the grape harvest – September to November
Autumn in MontenegroDecember – February
Ski slopes in the north, a mild and quiet coast – December to February
Winter in MontenegroIn-depth guides to the landscapes, wildlife and natural wonders of Montenegro.
The Tara canyon, up to 1,300 metres deep, Piva with its 220-metre dam, Morača on the road to Kolašin, Mrtvica for walkers and Nevidio for canyoning: a guide to Montenegro's canyons.
Read moreFrom the Adriatic coast to the high north – how the landscape changes across the country.
PrimorjeAbout 294 km of coast: the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor, old towns from Kotor to Ulcinj, Sveti Stefan and the sandy beaches of the south.
Central MontenegroThe capital, the old royal capital below Lovćen, Ostrog Monastery and Lake Skadar – the heart of Montenegro, all within an hour's drive.
Northern MontenegroMontenegro's largest and most sparsely populated region: three national parks, the Tara Canyon, glacial lakes and the mountain towns of Žabljak, Kolašin and Plav.A few things worth knowing before you head into the mountains, parks and lakes.
In the mountains clouds and cold can roll in quickly even in summer. Bring layers, a rain jacket and plenty of water.
Download the trail map before you set off: there is often no signal in the mountains.
In an emergency call 112. Before a long hike, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.
National parks charge an entry fee. Check current prices and rules on nparkovi.me.
In protected areas only light fires at designated places, and take your rubbish with you.
Late spring and early autumn are best for the mountains, July and August for swimming in the lakes, and winter for skiing.
Did you know?
The primeval forest of Biogradska gora was protected as early as 1878, by decision of Prince Nikola, making it one of Europe's oldest protected areas.
Five: Durmitor, Biogradska gora, Lovćen, Lake Skadar and Prokletije. Durmitor with the Tara River Canyon has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1980.
For hiking, late spring and early autumn, when trails are dry and the heat is milder. Summer is the season for mountain lakes and rafting, winter for skiing on Durmitor and Bjelasica.
Yes. Tickets are sold at park entrances or through official channels. Current prices and rules are published by the National Parks of Montenegro on nparkovi.me.
Our trails page has marked trails with maps, length, ascent and difficulty for Durmitor, Bjelasica, Prokletije, Lovćen and other mountains.