Montenegro Mountain Tours

28/07/2024

Trip to Durmitor National Park and Žabljak

26/05/2024

UPDATE: the camper has been found by the police! See a photo in the comments: the bus has been repainted and now has a Swiss license plate 🤔
__________________________________

Roos de Maeyer 's family van has been stolen at the Kravica waterfall in Bosnia yesterday.

Please look out for this van and message us when you see it.

Share this post widely!

Details: It's a Volkswagen Grand California
Red and white with a black bike rack.

Licence plate number: 2.DTG 176 (Belgium).

02/04/2024

Canyoning in Montenegro offers an adrenaline-fueled journey through the stunning Dinaric Alps. Explorers navigate narrow gorges, rappel down waterfalls, and plunge into crystal-clear pools. A very popular spot is the Nevidio Canyon, but there are many more, promising unforgettable adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes and challenging terrain.

Contact Nikola Glomazic for more details. Whatsapp: +382 69 750 360.

25/02/2024

10 reasons to go north!

👉🏻 Call out to all businesses in northern Montenegro - post your offers here!

Montenegro is a diverse country with two distinct regions that attract tourists for different reasons.

Here are 10 reasons tourists might choose to visit Northern Montenegro over the coastal region:

1. Natural beauty: the north is known for its rugged and unspoiled natural beauty. This includes the majestic peaks of the Dinaric Alps, the crystal-clear rivers, glacial lakes, the breathtaking Tara River Canyon, and abundant forests of conifers and deciduous trees, as well as lush pastures and green meadows.

2. National parks: northern Montenegro is home to several national parks, including Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, and Prokletije – along with two nature parks – Piva and Komovi. These parks offer stunning landscapes for visitors to explore.

3. Wildlife: the age-old forests provide shelter to a wide array of wild animals, such as bears, wolves, and lynx.

4. Outdoor activities: the northern region offers an abundance of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canyoning, kayaking, zip lining, ATV touring, and skiing (in the winter months). This makes it an attractive destination for adventure seekers.

5. Climate: the northern region of Montenegro is characterized by its continental climate, which brings harsh snowy winters and mild summers. While temparatures along the coast may reach 35-40 degrees Celsius on a mid-summer day, more inland you can expect a nice 25 degrees with a fresh mountain breeze.

6. Local cuisine: the north has its own culinary traditions, with dishes that are distinct from those found on the coast. For generations, the people of this region have practiced cattle breeding, resulting in a renowned production of cheese, clotted cream, and other dairy products. Visitors can enjoy hearty mountain fare, including lamb, cheese, honey, and homemade bread. They also cultivate a variety of crops, including potatoes, corn, and cereals. Fruit orchards yield plums, pears, and apples, which are often distilled into brandy. The region is also abundant in forest products, including mushrooms, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which local residents use to create a variety of delicacies.

7. Cultural heritage: the region is also rich in cultural heritage, with charming traditional villages, historic monasteries, and archaeological sites that provide insight into Montenegro's past.

8. Authenticity: unlike the heavily touristic coastal areas, the north has managed to maintain its authenticity and traditional way of life, providing a more genuine experience for visitors.

9. Peace and quiet: compared to the coastal region, the north is generally less crowded and offers a more tranquil environment for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle.

10. Sustainable tourism to fight poverty: the challenge of poverty and unemployment compels young individuals to relocate to coastal cities, while the older population struggles to sustain traditional family-owned farms in the north of Montenegro. However, the north has significant potential for year-around sustainable tourism, currently accounting for 17% of the region’s GDP (UNDP 2024). Our aim is to promote accommodations, restaurants, and tourism activities, including farm visits, in northern Montenegro to harness its potential for sustainable tourism.

👉🏻 For all local businesses in northern Montenegro, especially the northeast: feel free to promote your accommodation and activities in the comment section (or contact us for other options).

Happy travels!

24/02/2024

Durmitor Ring, the southern route on the P14 towards the Sedlo Pass.

Video: Mirna Robert

24/02/2024

The breathtaking beauty of the Durmitor Ring

Tucked away in the heart of Montenegro lies a hidden gem that's ready to be explored: the Durmitor Ring. This stunning 85-kilometer loop road offers a panoramic drive through some of the country's most spectacular landscapes, taking you on a journey through winding mountain passes, verdant valleys, and charming traditional villages. Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast, or a road trip lover in search of breathtaking views, the Durmitor Ring is sure to leave you awe-struck.

The Route

The Durmitor Ring begins and ends in the town of Žabljak, the highest situated town in the Balkans, which serves as an ideal base for exploring the Durmitor National Park. From there, the route takes you on a winding path through the heart of the park, offering endless opportunities to stop and take in the stunning scenery.

The easiest is to take half the route (southern side), and go back the same way. Those that feel adventurous can also take the northern part of the ring, but beware that some of the sections are narrow and steep, so not for the faint of heart, or those with a campervan. In fact, I would suggest to take the northern route by 4x4, and only on sunny days. Or go well prepared by bike, or even hike on a multi-day trip.

Here's a detailed description of some of the key sights and attractions:

1. Žabljak: start your journey in this charming town, which is the highest in the Balkans. Žabljak is a hub for outdoor activities and offers a variety of amenities for travelers. From there, drive south and follow the P14 road towards Pluzine.
2. Savin K*k ski center: 6 lifts and 5 km of ski slopes offer a nice and small ski resort in winter, and a hiking area in summer. There are some restaurants before and in the resort. Continue along the P14 in southern direction.
3. Sedlo Pass, the "saddle of God": this high mountain pass at 1,900 meters offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Several hikes start from this pass, but be sure to either have a marked map, or book a mountain tour guide to join your trip (ask us, Montenegro Mountain Tours). The Sedlo pass may be quite busy with many cars parking there.
4. View of Mt. Bobotov K*k: this is the highest peak in the Durmitor range, standing at 2,523 meters. The Durmitor Ring basically circles around this majestic mountain. The Bobotov K*k is the most challenging hike in the region. There is also a Via Ferrata.
5. Durmitor view point: take that framed postcard picture here!
6. Trsa marks approximately the half-way point and is the ideal point for a lunch break. Then either go back along the P14 the same route, or continue the Durmitor Ring, but the road will become more challenging (make sure to check in advance that it is open). Ethno Village Milogora and Eko Selo Durmitor provide cabin accommodation near Trsa, which is also the crosspoint of the road to Pluzine and Piva Lake.
7. Nedalja village (1,343 meters altitude): a tiny village of only 10 inhabitants.
8. Viewpoint Susica Canyon: for those amazing views into the canyon.
9. Planinarski dom "Sušica": a mountain hut beautifully situated at lake Sušic, one of the 18 glacier lakes, or also called "mountain eyes" (it may be dry though). Make sure to check in advance whether the hut is open if you plan to stay there.
10. Vidikovac canyon viewpoint: quite a steep spot with yet another amazing view.
11. Malo Crna Gora, meaning "small Montenegro": you can take a small detour to this traditional mountain village at an altitude of 1,700 meters. Imagine, in winter the strong winds create snow heights of 10 meters, cutting this town off from the rest of the country for 5-6 months every year.
12. Shelter Stuoc Durmitor (refuge): for hikers and cyclists that need a place to shelter or sleep.
13. Viewpoint Tara Canyon: amazing views over the Tara river canyon, along steep and narrow sections of the road.
14. Curevac hike: if time allows, the famous Curevac trail can be followed (more about this in another post). Or otherwise, just drive back to Zabljak from here.

The Durmitor Ring is best driven between May and September, although April and October may be doable too. Make sure to always check the weather conditions in advance, also in summer.

Get petrol in advance of your trip in Zabljak, as there are no stations along the Durmitor Ring. Bring your picnic basket; there are small bars along the way, but they are not always open. Also, do not forget to buy a National Park pass prior to departure to enter the Durmitor mountain range; you can buy these for instance at the information office in Zabljak.

How to get to the Durmitor Ring

The Durmitor Ring is easily accessible from Podgorica or Kotor, which are just 3-hour drive away.

Happy travels!

For a video of the route: check out today's post containing the video.

24/02/2024

Welcome to Durmitor National Park!

Montenegro has five national parks, which cover approximately 10% of the country's territory, an it has a total of four UNESCO world heritage sites. Durmitor, situated in the north-west of Montenegro, became a national park in 1952, and a UNESCO site in 1980.

Durmitor is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich history. The park is home to the majestic Durmitor mountain range, which includes an astonishing 48 peaks over 2,000 meters high, with the highest being Bobotov K*k (2,522 m.). It also includes the spectacular Tara River Canyon, with 1,300 meters, the deepest canyon in Europe (more about Tara river in another post). Durmitor has 18 glacial lakes in the park, the largest is the Black Lake. All lakes have been nicknamed Gorske Oči, or "mountain eyes".

One theory of the name Durmitor is that it is derived from Eastern Romance, meaning 'sleeping place' (cognate with English dormitory). Evidence of early human settlements can still be found in the park today.

Žabljak is the largest town in Durmitor, located at 1,450 meters above sea level, which also makes it the town at highest altitude in the Balkans.

Things to do:

Durmitor National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, with a variety of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging multi-day treks. The park is also a great place for wildlife watching, with the chance to see animals such as brown bears, wolves, and lynx. Some famous hiking trails are the easy walk to and around the Black Lake, and the more challenging Curevac, Sedlo Pass, Savin K*k, and Bobotov K*k trails. More about these hikes in another post. The Black Lake is easy to find, but for all other hikes, a mountain guide is highly recommended; not only to show you the route and amazing things along the way, but also for safety reasons.

For those looking for more adrenaline-pumping activities, the park offers opportunities for rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding, ATV riding, and rock climbing. The Tara River Canyon is particularly popular for rafting, with its crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery. Also, several zip lines can bring you from one side of the canyon to the other. In winter, 6 lifts and 5 km of slopes offer the possibility for skiing (although most prefer the larger ski area of Kolasin).

For driving enthousiasts: do try the famous Durmitor ring to explore the mountain range by car. More about this tour in another post.

In addition to outdoor activities, the park is also home to several historical and cultural sites. The town of Žabljak, located within the park, is a great place to learn more about the local culture and history. The nearby Black Lake is a popular spot for picnics and swimming.

You can easily get to Zabljak via car or bus. From Podgorica or Kotor, it will take you around 3 hours to get there. The winding 50-80 km/h road is quite easy to drive, also for campervans.

For accommodation, many places to chose from: the 4-star SOA hotel, apartments, villas, and cozy wooden cabins (e.g. Etno Selo Zminica). Check out Booking, Airbnb, or Google Maps for the options.

For more information about Durmitor National Park and its activities, contact Montenegro Mountain Tours via Messenger or at (+382) 067 055 929.

22/02/2024

Montenegro… where you can ski and relax by the sea on the same day!



Photo: Janko Scepanovic

21/02/2024

Nature!



https://youtu.be/A-RICQuEVeo?feature=shared

Before you see it first hand, we will talk you through the most beautiful parts of Montenegro I www.see.montenegro.travel

20/02/2024

Map with some highlights of Montenegro

There is so much to do in Montenegro. Whether you are culturally-minded, into active sports, or you just want to relax... there is something for everyone!

Our Lady of the Rocks, Sveti Stefan, churches around Boka Bay, Ostrog and Moraca Monastery, and for the active ones: zip lining, rafting, hiking...

This map of Montenegro may help a little to understand where some of the highlights are located. But don't forget that there is so much more to see and do.

As an insider's tip: in Summer, you may especially wish to explore the north of the country: off the beaten path, lower prices, and very pleasant temparatures in the cooler mountains. Do contact us for some suggestions on what to do and where to go: +382 067 055 929.

To understand some distances: if you travel by car, outside the busy Summer season going from Kotor to Zabljak may take around 3 hours, and from Kotor to Kolasin around 2.5 hours (via the new highway). In July and August, the roads along the coast will be clogged, so add more time to get to your destination.

Happy travels!

19/02/2024

Skiing in Kolasin ⛷️

With now 50 km of slopes and an ongoing development aiming to reach 250 km, Kolasin is the place to be!

18/02/2024

Paddling on the amazing Black Lake!

Contact is for day-trips or longer tours.

15/02/2024

Exploring Skadar Lake by boat!

Contact us for a customized tour: 067 055 929 🚤

15/02/2024

Go for a guided tour in the Durmitor mountains!

13/02/2024

Our website with Montenegro Water Tours is updated!

👉🏻 Check out our new mountain activities as Montenegro Mountain Tours: https://montenegrowatertours.com/mountain-tours.

13/02/2024

Beautiful road from Plav into Albania!

12/02/2024

Going up on Mt. Lovcen with the cable car!

From the top you can go for a luge ride, or continue the journey to the Mausoleum.

12/02/2024

You can reach us via WhatsApp!

12/02/2024

Amazing road trip from the Bosnia- Montenegro border, via Pluzine to Durmitor and Zabljak!

12/02/2024

Flights to Podgorica for season 2024!

12/02/2024

Flights to Tivat for season 2024!