Walking Holiday Northern Montenegro

Explore the beautiful country of Montenegro. Bursting at the seams with its majestic mountains, the walking in northern Montenegro will not disappoint. Avoid the crowds by getting off the beaten track in the rugged mountains to take in the spectacular surrounding beauty. Surrounded by soaring peaks and timeless forests and crammed with cultural heritage, architectural treasures and jaw-dropping natural beauty, our trek is perfect for a keen walker ready to take on mountainous walks to experience some truly spectacular sights.

The region’s main drawcards are its National Parks known for their impressive mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and diverse forests. We feature two of the best contrasting Parks.

Day 1: Arrive in Podgorica where you will be met by our local partner and transported to your hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore Kolasin.

Depending on your arrival time you have the option to travel to your destination on one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys. Take an unforgettable train ride from Podgorica to Kolasin, the route follows the Morača river through canyons and granite cliffs. Overnight Kolasin  

Day 2: Biogradska Gora lake to Eko Katun Vranjak

Your first day of the trek starts at the beautiful (and popular) lake of Biogradska Gora, one of seven glacial lakes in the area. Our route follows the southern shore of the lake before turning up into the woods through ancient forest, with huge and magnificent trees. Overnight Kolasin  

Ascent: 980m Descent: 340m Distance: 7 miles

Day 3: Kljuc, from Eko Katun Vranjak

Start high in the mountains at Eco Katun, our route takes you through woodland and pastures, occasionally passing houses and shepherds’ huts before turning west and up onto higher land which leads to the summit of Kljuc (1973m). Here you can enjoy the 360° views. The route from the summit descends grassy slopes and down the east side of a lovely valley, past Katun Rupe and then through the forest to where you meet your transport. Transfer to Savnik where you will stay overnight. 

Ascent: 600m Descent: 600m Distance: 8 miles

Day 4: Komarnica Gorge to Sedlo Pass

This walk provides a contrasting experience to the previous days, following a beautiful limestone gorge all the way up into the Durmitor mountains. The route has a remote feel but is not difficult. You initially follow an ancient track along the valley and this rises gently up the valley, as you pass through varied forest and open areas. There are frequent views of the spectacular cliffs of the gorge and increasingly the Durmitor mountains ahead, included Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak. After about 8km the surroundings become more open as you emerge above the forest and after a while the gorge opens out into a wide bowl of pasture land, with shepherds’ huts dotted around. Short transfer to Virak where you will stay overnight.

Ascent: 950m, Descent: 50m Distance: 7 miles

Today you have a choice:

Day 5 - Option 1: Zabljak via Bobotov Kuk

Enjoy the challenge of today’s walk, starting at Sedlo pass to the south of the main Durmitor peaks. Walk through spectacular limestone scenery before a steep ascent to the col just east of Bobotov Kuk, the highest point in Montenegro. From there, you have an optional detour to the summit (or an easier option half way up to enjoy the beautiful view down to the Skrcko lake). The long descent to Zabljak is steep in places, often rocky and involves some ups as well as downs, but is a rewarding hike. On the way you pass Ledena pecina (the ‘Ice Cave’) where ice formations exist all year round. 

Ascent: 840m Descent: 1380m Distance: 9 miles

OR

Days 5 - Option 2: Zabljak via Poscenski Katun and the snowshoe trail

Alternatively take a gentle walk from the Sedlo pass gradually descending along the valley floor before crossing the valley to follow the base of the cliffs on the far side. The route is mostly hidden from the road and is scenic, passing expanses of marshland and shallow lakes edged by mixed woodland.  Continue to the Durmitor ski centre, located under the imposing peak of Savin Kuk, to Crno Jezero (Black Lake), along a lovely forest path used (and waymarked) as a snowshoe trail in the winter. When you arrive at Crno Jezero, you have the option to walk around the lake before continuing through the forest to Zabljak. 

Ascent: 200m Descent: 700m Distance: 9 ½ miles

Overnight Zabljak

Today and tomorrow, you have a choice: 

Days 6 & 7 - Option 1: Crvena Greda

The Grand Finale of your Montenegrin trek and what an ending! The Crvena Greda mountain, at the northern fringe of the main Durmitor range, provides a tremendous walk as well as panoramic views of the higher mountains to the south. The drama of the limestone scenery becomes evident as you walk on a narrow path first below and then above huge vertical cliffs. Traverse the mountainside through broken terrain until eventually the path turns downhill and re-enters the forest, at first characterised by maple, birch and rowan, then beech and finally the more extensive spruce and fir which eventually brings you back to Zabljak.

Ascent/Descent: 900m Distance: 12 miles

OR

Days 6 & 7 - Option 2: Curovac: overlooking the Tara Gorge

Alternatively, you can take an easier walk along the Tara Gorge. At 82km long it is the deepest gorge in Europe and the second deepest in the world. This walk provides a chance to admire it from above, following a rocky path up and along the escarpment. This is dramatic to say the least. At the sumit you’ll want to linger to enjoy the view before descending through juniper scrub into the forest below and on to the centre of Zabljak. 

Ascent: 200m Descent: 310m Distance: 7 miles

OR

Day 6 & 7 – Option 2: The Two Hidden Valleys (The Bear Circuit)

Medjed (‘The Bear’) is the imposing, pyramidal mountain in the middle of the view from Zabljak and seen dramatically from Crno jezero. On each side of this mountain are beautiful, hidden glacial valleys. Our route takes you up from Crno Jezero to the Velika Kali valley. At the head of this valley is an emergency shelter at 2020m, just below the remnants of a glacier. The route ascends steeply from the shelter to the Velika Previja pass (2145m) – an ideal lunch spot. A steep descent then takes you down into the lower and greener Lokvice valley. As you leave this valley, you rise up to a narrow slot called Tijesna Brojista (‘narrow counting spot’) which was once used to count the cattle. A lengthy descent through varied terrain and forest eventually brings you back to Zabljak.

Ascent: 950m Descent: 950m Distance: 10 ½ miles

Overnight Zabljak.

Day 8: Departure

You will be transferred from Zabljak to Podgorica Airport. 

Self-Guided

You can walk entirely at your own pace and we provide extensive walking notes giving distances, route directions, ascents, descents and walking times. 

If you wish to lengthen the holiday, we can easily add rest days when you make the booking.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be is transferred for you from hotel to hotel, except for on night 2 as luggage cannot be transported to this remote location – will need to pack an overnight bag. Some days you are taken to the start of a walk and/or collected at the end - these transfers are all included in the price.

 
Walk Grading

Self-Guided – Moderate with two challenging options

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

Montenegro North Trek

Included			Not Included
ü	7 night’s accommodation		û	Lunches & drinks with meals
ü	7 breakfasts		û	Travel Insurance (required)
ü	Private car transfers between Podgorica airport and first/last hotels
ü	Baggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person @20kg)
ü	Route notes & walking map
Optional Extras
Ø	‘With flights’ includes typical flight prices between London and Podgorica. Flights from many local airports are also available (exact prices for your dates are available on request)

All prices are valid for 2023

Prices are per person in GBP / UK £ and are based on 7 nights half board in a shared twin/double standard room.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday departures from 1st June 2023 to 23rd Sep 2023, for 7 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.

Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Extra Night	Single Supplement
01 Jun - 02 Jun	1115	915	POA	POA
03 Jun – 19 Jun 12 Sep - 23 Sep	1489	1289	POA	POA
20 Jun - 11 Sep	1599	1399	POA	POA

POA = Prices upon application

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

This map is for illustration purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy.

Montenegro North Trek

Availability Information

The best time to visit Northern Montenegro is from the middle of May until the end of September. The months May, June and September see plenty of warm sunshine and still within the quiet period. July and August are the warmest, driest and busiest months.  

Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit.

When to book your walking holiday in Montenegro - Majestic Mountains of Northern Montenegro Walk

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	N/A	N/A	N/A