Durmitor National Park - Best Day Hikes

Durmitor National Park is one of the best natural wonders in the Balkans. In this article, you will discover the best day hikes in Durmitor. Plus, a lot more helpful information for your Montenegro outdoor adventures!
Do not blame yourself if you still have not heard of a tiny country / Montenegro because you will learn about it now! Trust me that you will want to visit this area after carefully reading this article, especially if you are an outdoor adventure seeker who loves nature and its beauties.
National Park Durmitor found a place in a beautiful mountain region in the northwestern part of Montenegro. As mentioned above, Montenegro is a tiny country with big offers. The natural beauty you can discover here, you will not find anywhere else. Why? Well, because it is outstanding! So, let’s learn more about it with the help of Svood! Explore NP Sutjeska and Durmitor!

National Park Durmitor stretches 130 square miles (or 39000 acres large), surrounded by the Piva and Tara rivers in Montenegro.
Believe it or not, 23 mountain tops are over 2300 meters. That means that there are plenty of hiking trails here to embark! Durmitor also includes 82 kilometres of Tara Canyon – an altitude of 1600 meters above the river level. Insane, right!?
The region of Durmitor is the most significant part of the massive Dinara mountain range. You will notice many super-high peaks, deep gorges, and abundant forests – pure wilderness. Durmitor National Park will amaze you with 17 glacier lakes and its highest top (also the highest top in Montenegro), called the Bobotov kuk (2522 m).

In case you did not know, the canyon of Tara is the largest and the deepest in Europe. On top of that, it has 1500 kinds of flora and even 130 kinds of birds! Maybe you will see some of the 314 protected animals in Montenegro, from which 163 are kind of birds live in this terrific national park. Thus, I hope you like animals because you will probably encounter some here! Rafting on Tara is one of the best adventures in Europe!

Durmitor became a national park in 1980 with Tara Canyon. A few years earlier, in 1977, the canyon was proclaimed a world ecological reserve. In addition, seven zones here in Durmitor National Park are specially protected areas. Here are all seven:

• Uncut forest of fir
• Tara River Canyon
• Black pine at Crna Poda
• Canyon of Susica
• Region of Lake Zaboljsko
• The region of the lake called Barno
• Milling Streams

Durmitor is full of historical monuments. There are eight of them in the vicinity of Žabljak due to a bloody battle in WWII. There are more historical monuments and places here scattered in the southern and northern parts of Durmitor National Park. Also, archaeological explorations show traces of the Mesolithic period. Yet the explorations are not done yet.

Durmitor National Park can be reached from Belgrade by highway to Pljevlja. Then, over Tara river to Žabljak and Mojkovac. If you come from Podgorica, you will probably have to pass through the canyon of Moraca to Mojkovac and then to Zabljak in approximately 2 hours. Considering there is no functional airport near, you cannot get to Zabljak by plane. There is a bus line from Podgorica to Pljevlja and Zabljak. It goes from this route: Podgorica-Nikšić-Žabljak, and it goes several times a day.

 You can easily reach Durmitor National Park from Kotor with the car but prepare for around 166 kilometers ride for about two and a half hours, depending on the ride and the traffic. If you book a taxi (which is more affordable in Montenegro but more expensive during the summer season), you can sit and relax while someone else drives you via the E762 highway. The bus will cost you around 30 euros but then prepare for more driving, and perhaps less freedom when you want to make a stop and where. Why am I mentioning Kotor? Well, Kotor is also on UNESCO world heritage list thanks to its old city, so if you love culture and such remarkable cities with epic views, include it in your Montenegro bucket list.

Durmitor National Park entrance fee will cost you around 3 euros only. You can take Durmitor National Park tour in just one day. However, beware that is not enough time to see all the natural wonders and beauties.

Beware that there is no guarantee of weather in Durmitor National Park because it has many altitudes and mountains. Thus, the chance of rain is always possible. Indeed, the warmest months, with less rain during the summer months – are from June to August. While September can already be significantly chilly. If you seek outdoor adventures in Durmitor in May, beware that there can still be snow. That means some hiking trails may still be covered in snow and thus inaccessible. If you are okay with that, go to Durmitor even in May! The rest of the months, apart from the summer, can be chilly, rainy, and snowy, so always be prepared and consult a professional tour guide for the most updated weather info. Yet, most people from Montenegro will agree that the months from May to October are the most pleasant, not too cold, not too warm, yet it is always good to check the weather forecast before embarking on your Durmitor adventure! Also, these months are best for photography due to the many colours. Thus, Durmitor in May is a perfect timing to be!

1. Zabljak hikes

Zabljak is indeed the best base for you when exploring Durmitor National Park. It is a gateway town to Durmitor Park. If you find accommodation in Zabljak, in the town centre, you can walk to the park entrance – it is that close!
Durmitor is full of terrific hiking trails, and here you can read some of the most popular ones in Zabljak Durmitor National Park:
– Black Lake (4.7 km) – hiking time around 2 hours
– Zabljak Sljeme (10 km) – hiking time around 3.5, 4 hours
– Black Lake – Terzon – Lokvice (9.3 km) – hiking time around 4 hours
– Zabljak Knob (17.4 km) – hiking time around 6, 6.5 hours
– Durmitor Ice Cave (12.4 km) – hiking time is around 5.5, 6 hours, and you will reach around 1000 m above sea level
– Black Lake to Zminje Lake (10.1 km) – hiking time around 3 hours up to 130 m above sea level

2. Bobotov Kuk hike

Bobotov Kuk is 2525 meters above sea level and a terrific, moderate hike. Indeed, it is not an easy hike, so be extra careful from the beginning. Bobotov Kuk is also the highest peak in Durmitor National Park. Yet, it is worth the effort due to the fantastic scenery along the way. The shortest and easiest way to get to Bobotov Kuk is from Sedlo – fourteen km outside Žabljak. But if you have a rented car, you can drive straight to Sedlo and park at a small parking lot. From there, you can start more easily! Beware that you should not be afraid of heights to head off to the Bobotov Kuk hike. You will also see a tiny but charming Zeleni Vir Lake. You can stop here, take some photos and grab some extra energy for the rest of the hike, or stop here. To finish this hike, you will need around 6 hours. I strongly recommend hiking in the late morning or early afternoon to start (depending on the season of the year), so you can enjoy the sunset at Sedlo. This hiking experience is great for a team building adventure!

3. Prutas peak hike

Prutas is one of those hikes that will offer the most beautiful views. They will make your hiking experience worth the effort and sweat! Prutas is probably the most beautiful trail in Durmitor National Park. When you reach it, you will be at 2393m. Besides, you will enjoy more Durmitor peaks like Đevojka, which is at 2440m, and Bezimeni Vrh has 2487m. You can extend your hike and visit the majestic glacial lakes called Škrčka Jezera. Unique rock shapes (wands or rods) make this hike that special. Prutaš (literally translated as the mountain of branches) is raw and wild. It will leave you speechless! From the start to the beginning of the Prutas peak hike, you will need approximately 6 hours.

4. Planinica hike

Planinica hike is another terrific hike up to 2330 meters above sea level. Most people say that the Prutas Peak hike and Planinica hike have the best views in the entire Durmitor National Park! It bursts with untouched nature, and it is a true gem! It is perfect for a family bonding adventure!

 Planinica means a small mountain – it is a diminutive of Planina. It is not Arc Ky peak like Bobotov Kuk, but it is the highest point of the large glacial cirque Alisnica, which falls into a beautiful Skrka valley. Skrcka Lakes Valley has the most beautiful peaks of Durmitor National Park. Believe it or not, many people say how Gornja Alisnica Valley reminds them of The Lord of The Rings movie due to its stunning panoramas. Along the hike, you will also encounter two magical lakes: Veliko Jezero – Large Lake on 1686 m, with Malo Jezero – Small Lake on 1711 m.

From Zabljak town to Planinica summit, there is a hike of around four hours. Firstly, through a splendid forest with a nonactive white water mill via Alisnica-Planinica signs. When you come out from this forest, you will encounter a grassy field called Poljanak and a majestic crest of Crvena Greda (2164 m) on the right. Route then continues to Gornje Lokve – where you can see many beautiful horses during the summer. Real natural fairy-tale!

5. Curevac Durmitor

The Curevac viewpoint in Durmitor National Park offers clear views of the majestic Tara River Canyon from above. The hike to get there is easy. You will not get much tired! So, it is best to start from Žabljak, approximately two hours each way. Use Maps.me to see the quickest way to hike to the Curevac viewpoint. From Mt Ćurevac – you will be overlooking the canyon where it is at its deepest. All you have to do is to follow the edge of a cliff. It should be on your left side. That will be the indicator you are on the right track. In the beginning, the path goes through the forest. Then, the terrain opens up, and you see the MAJESTIC viewpoint ahead.

Explore more hiking trails in the Durmitor hiking map with the help of Svood.co

– Mushroom hunting

– Adventurous off-roading Sutjeska & Durmitor

– 6 Days » Sutjeska & Durmitor » Tara Rafting & Jeep safari

– Zip-lining

– Paragliding , such as paragliding above Budva Riviera

– Horse riding

– Canyoning Nevidio

– ATV tour Biogradska Gora 

– Yoga retreat Holiday Ada Bojana beach 

In a nutshell, Durmitor National Park is not only an enormous national park to admire but also a terrific place for many outdoor adventures. Thus, whether you plan to arrive here with your family, kids, partner, friends, or colleagues from work, Durmitor will blow your mind with its natural beauty, fresh air, and rich flora and fauna.

So what are you waiting for? Embark on the Montenegro journey and experience the true beauty of a tiny Balkan country called Montenegro, thanks to Svood.co!