Explore Montenegro North

Explore nature considered by Montenegrins as most precious and valuable to them. You will understand this once you see the deepest canyon in Europe-the 1300 meters deep canyon of the river Tara, or visit Biogradska Gora, the last virgin forest remaining on the continent and the oldest national park in Montenegro, founded in 1878.

Montenegro’s north beckons with countless highland adventures. Its great outdoors – encompassing Durmitor, Biogradska Gora and Prokletije national parks – are a dream destination for everything from hiking and mountain biking to canyoning and rafting.

But for those who prefer kicking back, this rugged region is also well worth exploring for its cultural and historical heritage, festive spirit, delicious natural produce and rural hospitality.

Besides Durmitor and Prokletije, Komovi is the third most impressive mountain range in Montenegro. Surrounded by long, rapid rivers Tara and Lim and expansive mountains Bjelasica and Prokletije, Komovi consist of three mountain wreaths Kom Kučki (2487m), Kom Vasojevićki (2461m) and Kom Lijevorečki (2483).

The Northern region of Montenegro is primarily a place of pure unspoilt nature. Many holidaymakers come to the region to seek unforgettable experiences in outstanding surroundings. This region includes Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Plav, Plužine, Petnjica, Pljevlja, Rožaje, Šavnik, Žabljak.

Where else to start? Durmitor National Park is one of the greatest landscape collections on God’s green earth, a jaw-dropping mass of shimmering lakes, dramatic mountain tops, verdant vegetation and the deepest canyon in Europe. Some fifty peaks higher than 2,000 metres above sea level including Bobotov Peak (2,525 metres above sea level) rise above plateaus, alpine meadows and forests cover the landscape. Particular impression is created by 18 glacial lakes, called "mountain eyes", located at 1.500 meters above the sea level. The biggest and the most beautiful is Black Lake, with stunning scenery, and a giant peak Međed, above the lake.

The most dramatic elements of the spectacular mountain landscape are the deep river canyons, most notably the famous Tara River Gorge, Europe's deepest gorge. The river Tara is perhaps one of the last oases of intact nature, characterized by its crystal clear water, which is why it is often called "The Tear of Europe". Tara is the largest European reservoir of drinking water.

Durmitor is a popular tourism destination, known for superb hiking, climbing, mountaineering, rafting and canoeing opportunities. Center of the park is Žabljak, small town at the bottom of the southeastern part of Durmitor. This settlement, which is located at the highest altitude of the Balkan Peninsula (around 1,450 m) is the biggest winter center in Montenegro.

The National Park Biogradska Gora is situated in the north-eastern part of Montenegro between rivers Tara and Lim. It occupies the central part of the Bjelasica massif. The park covers the area of 5.650 ha. Biogradska Gora is the most forested national park in Europe while Bjelasica is the greenest mountain of Montenegro very rich with water.

At the altitude of 1.094 meters, in the heart of the rainforest, there is Biogradsko Lake, the biggest and best known of the numerous glacial lakes in the area of the National Park.

Kolašin. The walks around the town, visits to the high mountain villages on Bjelasica and Sinjajevina, fishing or kayaking on the River Tara, enjoying the best dishes of the mountain cuisine, a visit to the nearby Biogradska Gora National Park or Morača Monastery are some of the delights offered by this town. Fans of winter spells and snow sport are welcome in Jezerine ski center with 15 kilometers of trails for comfortable skiing for day and night as they are illuminated by floodlights.

The National Park Prokletije, as of 2009, is the youngest national park in Montenegro, completing Montenegrin natural wealth together with the other 4 national parks.

The Prokletije Mountains are a vast expanse of wilderness, forming a border with Albania and Kosovo and taking the spot of the highest part of the Dinaric Alps, so in some sources, they can be referred to as 'the Montenegrin Alps' climate.

Hardly accessible, rocky and wild, called accursed or forbidden by the local people, these mountains have remained unknown and sparsely populated for centuries, which has kept its nature the same as it has always been. In the massif of Prokletije, among many springs the most beautiful are Ali-Pasha’s springs and Oko Skakavice (Spring of the river Skakavica). While Oko Skakavice is a spring of ice-cold water that comes out of the great depth, Ali-Pasha’s springs bubble on the surface of over 300 square metres.

The best starting points for visiting Prokletije are Plav and Gusinje. Situated on the shore of Lake Plav, close to the source of the river Lim, Plav is characterized by beautiful views of the Lake and Mount Visitor, as well as by its rich cultural heritage.