Rightly considered the most beautiful national park in Montenegro, Durmitor is also perhaps the most beautiful mountain range in the Balkans.
If you decide to visit the Durmitor National Park, then we suggest you make a good plan and program of the visit. The Durmitor region offers so many things to do and adventures to experience, that it is simply impossible not to lose track of time in all that beauty of nature.
We did our best to present you 10 things you must see and do on Durmitor, with aim maximize your time in this most beautiful national park of Montenegro.
One of the almost extinct Balkan crafts, which today barely survives in the mountainous and forested parts of the Balkan Peninsula, is the craft “rabadžija” (i.e. one that deals with the transport of goods by carts or ox-carts).
Extracting firewood from parts of the forest inaccessible to conventional vehicles, with the help of oxen, is one of the oldest living Balkan crafts.
Nowhere else in the forests of the Dinarides, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, will you be able to experience this occurrence, which usually happens in late summer and early autumn, in the months when the locals are preparing for the coming winter.
❐ The oxen powered logs extraction for firewood and construction, is one of the oldest and quite rarely preserved crafts today. On Durmitor, this tradition has been preserved for centuries, and today only a few individuals are engaged in this dangerous and exhausting business. Durmitor’s “rabadžije” are one of the most famous in the Balkan region.
Hike up the highest peak of National Park Durmitor, the glorious Bobotov Kuk at 2525m altitude.
One of the most beautiful and most difficult peaks of the Dinaric Alps, located in northern Montenegro, every year attracts a large number of nature lovers who want to visit this glorious giant.
Although Durmitor National Park abounds with almost 50 peaks over 2000m above sea level, 48 to be exact, Bobotov kuk is considered the flagship of this whole region.
To climb Bobotov Kuk you need a little alpine climbing experience because during the ascent you need to cross a couple of difficult sections with the help of via ferrata.
For safe conquest of the peak, we recommend a guided tour with a professional guide.
❐ Climb Bobotov Kuk and taste 360 degree views of the rest of the Durmitor massif is perhaps the best mountaineering adventure one can experience in this part of the Balkans.
One of the most interesting activities on Durmitor is a tour of the famous Durmitor ring.
It is 75 to 85 kilometers of asphalt drive through the beautiful landscapes of the Durmitor massif.
On this route you have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful Montenegrin villages such as Mala Crna Gora, Nedajno and Trsa, admire the deepest European canyons such as the Tara and Sušica canyons, taste the traditional food of Durmitor Highlanders and learn about the well-known hospitality of local villagers.
The Durmitor Ring is an absolute must if you visit this region.
For adventurers, some of the local companies offer e-bike tours that cover a couple of sections or the whole circle of the Durmitor ring.
❐ Views of one of the most beautiful peaks of Durmitor, the beautiful Prutaš are the best in the afternoon. Because if you’re doing a Durmitor Ring tour with Funky Tours, then the adventure is planned to be at this point in the afternoon, allowing you to enjoy this beautiful scenery.
Durmitor National Park is famous for its beautiful glacial lakes. Out of a total of 18, some of them are easily accessible by car, but some of them are hidden among the high Durmitor peaks.
Definitely if you are visiting the highest inhabited place on Durmitor, the beautiful Žabljak, we recommend a visit to Crno (eng. Black), Vražje (eng. Devil’s) and Riblje (eng. Fish) Lakes.
Of course, if you are a mountaineer and you are fit, then a visit to the Škrčka lakes at the foot of the Bobotov Kuk and Prutaš peaks is probably your best choice. Skrčka lakes are some 2 hours easy walk from the nearest road, and can be easily combined with hiking to beautiful Prutaš peak.
❐ The lakes are located only 10 km from Žabljak, and their water is crystal clear and unusual in color, which varies depending on the season. Devil’s Lake (Vražje) is not too deep, the average depth is 4m and the maximum 11m
At the northern end of the Durmitor Massif, where the Tara River dug the second largest canyon in the world, the one after the Colorado River in USA, is home to one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time, the famous bridge on Đurđevića Tara.
When originally constructed in 1940, during the era of Kingdom of Yugoslavia, with length of 365m and maximum height of 172m, looming over the 150m deep river Tara canyon, Đurđevića Tara bridge was the highest in the World.
Today, in addition to admiring this Montenegrin construction marvel, you can also experience the adrenaline adventure of one of the longest zip line experiences in the world. With a cable length of 1200m, Đurđevića Tara zip line is an absolute must try.
Great way to experience this unique location is Funky Tours three day Durmitor National Park tour.
❐ During May 1942, due to the onslaught of the axle forces, Tito ordered the bridge to be demolished, but so that it could be easily repaired and used later. That is how it was, the smallest, left arch of the bridge was demolished on May 6, 1942.
Located in the southern parts of Durmitor region, as a part of Mala Komarnica river, Nevidio canyon is Europe’s last explored canyon.
This amazing, 1700m long canyon of unbelievable beauty was first fully explored in 1965, when the World first time discovered the true nature of this Montenegrin gem.
A three-hour canyoning adventure through the entire length of the Nevidio canyon, where the width of the canyon is often less than 1 meter, and where you often have to swim, jump and descend, is a paradise on earth for the brave and adrenaline-hungry.
Great way to experience this unique location is Funky Tours three day Durmitor National Park tour.
❐ Fully equipped, with a professional guide, on a medium demanding activity, enter the depths of Nevidio canyon and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
Montenegrins are known as great and widely known hosts. When exploring the rural parts of Montenegro, it is almost impossible that the locals will not invite you to their home, treat you to brandy or homemade food.
If you need accommodation, help on the road or simple geographical instructions, Durmitor Highlanders will be happy to help you.
In case you manage to overcome the language barrier, and start a conversation, be sure that the conversation will not last short. Instinctively, you will have the opportunity to hear and learn a lot about the past, present and future.
Understanding the local way of life, their culture is what each of us wants to learn and experience.
❐ Blagoje and his wife are one of the last year-round residents of the once heavily populated village of Mala Crna Gora. When winter comes and the village is totally cut off from the rest of civilization, they will most likely not see their children and grandchildren living in Podgorica until late spring.
Probably the most popular rafting in all of Southeast Europe is the rafting on the Tara River.
The River Tara, famously called – the tear of Europe, is one of the most beautiful and exciting rivers in Europe!
Visiting Durmitor National Park without experiencing the white water river rafting via the most attractive part of the Tara canyon, is a miss. The Tara River is navigable for raft boats in the length of almost a hundred kilometers, but the most attractive part of the rafting is in the lower end of the canyon, with the starting point from Brštanovica region.
As part of Funky Tours 3 day experience of Durmitor National Park, one day is reserved for Tara white water adventures.
❐ The Tara River is navigable for raft boats in the length of almost a hundred kilometers, but the most attractive part of the rafting is in the lower end of the canyon. Rafting experience usually lasts 3 to 4 hours, depending on the season and water levels.
Trying Montenegrin mountain side dishes such as “cicvara” (traditional dish made from milk, cheese, cream (kajmak) and flour), “kačamak” (or polenta, famous dish prepared usually from corn flour, served with yoghurt, cheese and kajmak) and variety of “japraci” (grinded beef meat with spices rolled and boiled into vine leaves or layers of onion), are always a good choice.
Be sure to try the “priganice” (eng. fritters or donuts) for breakfast. It’s a type of fried dough dish, and they’re very similar to “uštipci”. They are often served sweet, with sugar or jam, but even more often with cheese and cream.
The famous Montenegrin prosciutto, and especially one from Njeguši village, is one of the greatest specialties of the Balkan Peninsula.
❐ Njeguši prosciutto is a dark colored pork meat of intensive taste. Salted, beech smoked and dried at the specially made dryers of 1m thick stone walls, combined with centuries old traditions and the art of making, this unique product of Montenegro is a must try.
The region of Durmitor abounds in beautiful ethno villages, which retain the spirit of ancient times. Many of them use old materials and traditional techniques to build cottages that have most of the things for a comfortable stay.
The hosts prepare local food for you, and all you have to do is enjoy the natural beauty of the environment in which these villages are located and socialize with the locals.
Of course, the ethno villages in Durmitor are not only about the beauty and nature, but they are a window into the ancient times of life in Durmitor.
Carefully explore the best of the Durmitor ethno villages, and pay attention to those that offer not only accommodation and food, but those that bring invaluable learning experience.
❐ Ethno villages are usually family businesses and many offer options to work in the field with fruit or vegetables, work with domestic animals or even, culinary experiences, so this is usually a win-win experience.
