Durmitor National Park was the surprise of Montenegro for us. With its rugged mountains, turquoise blue lakes and the second deepest canyon in the world, it is perhaps the most underrated national park in Europe. From hiking around Black Lake to riding the Durmitor Ring, a visit to Durmitor National Park should not be missed during a tour of Montenegro. Here you can read about the best things to do, where to stay and more tips for Durmitor National Park in Montenegro.
What is Durmitor National Park
Durmitor National Park is one of five national parks in Montenegro and perhaps one of the most unique nature reserves in Europe. Not for nothing is it also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Dinaric Alps, the national park was formed by years of glacial erosion. Now you will find rugged mountains, deep gorges and no less than 18 glacial lakes, of which Black Lake is the most famous. The park is also impressive in terms of wildlife: it is home to eagles, wolves and even brown bears, among others! However, the chances of encountering a bear or wolf while hiking are incredibly small, and it is completely safe to explore Durmitor National Park.
Entrance fee Durmitor National Park
As for all national parks in Montenegro, Durmitor National Park requires you to pay a small entrance fee. In 2025, this was €5 per person, per day. This small fee is used to preserve the national park and maintain the hiking trails, which is well worth the €5!
How to visit Durmitor in Montenegro
Durmitor National Park is located in the northwestern part of the country. The best place to stay to visit Durmitor is the mountain village of Zabljak. Zabljak is a two-hour drive from the capital Podgorica and three hours from Kotor. The best way to discover Montenegro is by renting a car. Especially if you want to explore the Durmitor Ring, having your own car is the best option. Those who want can also visit the national park with a guided day trip from Kotor or Budva. You can book such a guided tour here!
6 best things to do in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Durmitor National Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Balkans. We recommend staying one to two nights in this area for the best experience! Quickly discover the 6 best things to do in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro.
1) Black Lake (Crno Jezero)
If there is one place to visit in Durmitor National Park, it is Black Lake. Also known as Crno Jezero, this lake is not black at all but just intense blue due to glacier water. You can take a beautiful walk around the lake of about 3.5 km which takes about one hour. Come early in the morning because then it is extra quiet at the lake and you can see the beautiful reflection of the surrounding mountains in the water.
TRAVEL TIP: From the center in Zabljak it is a 3 km walk to the lake which is fine to do on foot. If you go by car, you have to pay additional parking fees at the lake.
2) Strolling through Zabljak
When you walk towards Black Lake from Zabljak you automatically pass through the center of the village. Zabljak itself is not big at all, but very pleasant to walk through. You will find mostly local guest houses and restaurants. In summer, there are small stalls along the road where you can buy fresh fruit and local products such as honey. The wooden houses give the village a charming look and immediately reminded us of Alpine chalets.
3) Rafting in the Tara Canyon
At 1,300 meters, the Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon in America). Therefore, one of the best things to do in Durmitor National Park is rafting in the Tara Gorge. The best place to admire the Tara Gorge is from the Tara Bridge, where you can see the azure river winding through the green landscape. Another, popular activity to do is ziplining from the Tara Bridge across the canyon!
4) Durmitor Ring ride
The absolute highlight during our visit to Durmitor National Park was riding the Durmitor Ring(Durmitorski Prsten)! This 85 km long ride takes you past the most beautiful viewpoints that the park has to offer. You start and end in Zabljak, from where you will pass impressive landscapes such as the Sedlo Pass, Saddle of the Gods and the Tara Canyon. Allow at least half a day for the Durmitor Ring! Along the way you’ll encounter cozy mountain villages where you can get something to eat. You can find all the most beautiful stops along the Durmitor Ring in our Montenegro Google Maps!
Our Montenegro tips in your Google Maps
Discover all our favorite spots, best beaches, hikes, restaurants and hidden gems in our Montenegro Google Maps.
5) Hiking to Bobotov Kuk
At 2523 meters, Bobotov Kuk is the highest mountain in Durmitor National Park and offers one of the best hikes you can do. Start the hike at Sedlo Pass where you can park your car or take a cab from Zabljak. At the parking lot start the hike to the viewpoint on Bobotov Kuk. This is a challenging back-and-forth hike that involves a lot of climbing. In total, you are about 5 to 6 hours for 10 km. There are no facilities along the way, so be sure to bring plenty of water and food. On AllTrails you will find a detailed description and up-to-date info on this hike.
6) Zabljak Knob: most beautiful hike in Durmitor National Park
Another, wonderful hike to do in Durmitor National Park is Zabljak Knob. This 17 km loop takes you deep into the park. Unlike the hike to Bobotov Kuk, this hike is much less well known. You start at the Black Lake after which you slowly climb up through the forest. Then you hike along steep mountain walls that remind us of the Dolomites reminded us of the Dolomites. Keep in mind that this is a tough hike that requires hiking experience. Count on a full day for this hike and be sure to bring hiking poles because some sections are very steep. But the impressive landscapes make it totally worth it!
Restaurants in Montenegro
In contrast to the coastline of Montenegro where everything revolves around freshly caught fish and Mediterranean dishes, you will find different dishes in the interior of Montenegro. Here it’s all about real “mountain fare”: potatoes, meat and cheese. A typical dish in this area is kačamak, a creamy mixture of potatoes and cheese. In Zabljak you will find several, cozy restaurants:
- Pekara Maja: sell delicious burek to take with you on a hike!
- Restaurant O’ro: cozy restaurant where you can taste authentic, Montenegrin dishes. Reservation in advance is recommended in summer.
- Krcma Nostalgija: local family restaurant in the center of Zabljak.
Where to stay in Zabljak, Montenegro
The friendly mountain village of Zabljak is the gateway to Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. Here you will find numerous accommodations and restaurants from where you can easily visit the park. From Zabljak you can also hike on foot to Black Lake and ride the Durmitor Ring.
- Budget (€): Apartmani Božana Vojinović
- Comfort (€€): Guest House Durmitor Paradise
- Luxurious (€€€): North Story Chalet
Best Travel Time Durmitor, Montenegro
The best travel time to visit Durmitor National Park in Montenegro is from June through September. This is when temperatures are pleasant and you are most likely to have good weather. Unlike places like Kotor Durmitor National Park doesn’t feel very crowded during the summer months. You can also visit the park in May or October, but chances are there will be snow on the higher elevations. Then again, in the winter months you can ski in Durmitor National Park!
Still have questions about what to do in Durmitor National Park in Montenegro? Let us know in the comments below! If you have any questions about other trips, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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