For a country named for its mountains, it should not be surprising that Montenegro is a hiking paradise. This tiny country packs in a lot of beauty and character and it does so in ways that are unlike anywhere else. You won’t find traditional inn to inn walking holidays here, instead you’ll find rural homestays on top of a mountain or luxury yacht resorts with mountains in the backyard. This is a sea-to-summit hiking destination that should not be missed!
Table of Contents
Why Montenegro is a Great Hiking Destination
- Montenegro is small so it’s easy to hike all the beautiful regions in a relatively short trip.
- There are accommodations for every budget, from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts.
- It’s easy to drive here, so long as you’re comfortable with serpentine, narrow mountain roads.
- Every part of the country is beautiful, you cannot pick an ugly trail.
- Friendly people who know how to relax, have fun and make visitors feel like family.
How to Get Around in Montenegro
Renting a car is the best way to explore Montenegro. The bus system is reliable but sloooooow and you’ll miss some of the best hiking routes if relying solely on public transport. If self-driving is not an option, do what we did and use private drivers and hiking guides to take you where you need to go. Travel Twitch DMC took care of everything for us during our trip and other travel agencies can do the same. Further in this guide we suggest towns to base yourself where it’s easy to find drivers and guided tours.
When to Visit Montenegro
Montenegro has always been popular with tourists but in recent years it has seen a huge increase, especially in the summer months. April-May and September-October are best for avoiding crowds and hiking in cooler temperatures along the coast. If you plan to hike in the mountains, late September is the sweet spot when snow isn’t an issue and trails are less crowded. Where you want to hike determines when you should visit.
Know before you Hit the Trails
- Waymarking, trail distances and descriptions are hit or miss in Montenegro. Some places have excellent signage and are upfront about entrance fees. Others take some guess work or a little serendipity. Which is why we highly recommend hiring local guides whenever possible, especially for any trails outside of Durmitor or Biogradska Gora.
- Asking locals for trail advice is great, just know that they will rarely give you distances. Just like Albania, they measure the hike by time it takes — which is vastly different for those of us not accustomed to daily mountain hiking!
- Have cash ready for entry fees (national parks were Є3/per person when we went in 2023) and don’t be surprised if the entry is simply a gate with a group of men standing around collecting money.
TRAVEL TIP: Download the app Maps.me and the country map. It shows all of the hiking trails in Montenegro and allows you to navigate offline.
Where to Hike in Montenegro
The short answer is EVERYWHERE, but to make your life easier we’re going to focus on what we consider to be the most beautiful and easiest places to hike in Montenegro. There are officially 5 national parks in Montenegro, plus a hidden gem that may end up becoming a national park. We’re keeping this list short and sweet but have included links to hiking blogs that offer great details and photos. This list is based on our personal experiences while hiking in Montenegro, speaking to local hiking guides, and much research!
Durmitor National Park
Yes, it’s the most popular hiking destination in Montenegro and for good reason. This park is gorgeous and boasts a wide variety of terrain. Like any popular park, expect crowded roads and tons of people on short easy trails, but go off-season or hike further out and you’ll be amazed how quiet it quickly becomes. Especially if you hike with a guide like Vera @montenegrotouristguide who can show you all the hidden spots.
Our Favorite Hikes in Durmitor
Please understand this is a personal preference, there are MANY trail options and ways to combine multiple trails. You can find more with this Zabljak Hiking Trail guide, created by the local tourist association, highlighting the trails you won’t see in everyone’s “top 10” blog posts.
Black Lake Loop
2.2mi (3.5km)
This easy loop trail is a great quick introduction to the beauty of Durmitor. It’s a well-marked trail at a popular entry point, with toilets nearby and local vendors selling homemade goods along the walk. Several trails begin from this spot so you can easily add longer, challenging hikes. Arrive early, or like us go when it’s raining, to fully appreciate the serenity of this place.
5mi (8km) from Sedlo trailhead
The undisputed king of Durmitor, Bobotov Kuk stands at 8,278ft (2,523m) and offers panoramic views that stretch for miles. The hike is challenging, with steep climbs and scree fields, and it is almost always crowded. For a less crowded alternative with equally amazing views, consider this next trail…
7.5mi (12km)
A moderately challenging trail that’s an excellent alternative to the crowded Bobotov. This trail offers beautiful alpine terrain, expansive views and the option to add Skrka Lake for a longer, much more difficult hike.
Kruzna Curevac & Tara Canyon Loop
1.7mi (2.7km)
This short easy hike on Mt. Curevac takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Tara Canyon. There is also a short circular hike from Podgora that offers several viewpoints. It’s a bit of work getting to these more remote parking spots, but well worth it for epic views without breaking a sweat!
5mi (8.1km)
This moderate hike rewards with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail winds through forests and meadows, culminating in a rocky summit with stunning panoramas. Optional routes include a return via Zminje Lake.
For soft hikers and antiquity enthusiasts, you have the option to walk to some beautiful stecci (ancient tombstones or graveyard markers) inside the park. These are easy short walks but you can wander for miles and just make your own trails. We did exactly this at Fish Lake (Riblje Jezero), where Grcko groblje is located.
Prokletije National Park
Towering, jagged peaks with glacial valleys and awe-inspiring mountains await you at Prokletije National Park. This jewel lies on the border of Albania and Kosovo, with the popular Peaks of the Balkans Trail running through it. Most people hike the trails from Grebaje Valley but Ropajana Valley offers the chance to hike sections of the Peaks of the Balkans. If you base yourself in the town of Gusinje, you can hike both valleys!
4.6mi (7.4km) out and back
Lake Hrid is at least an hour from Grebaje and Ropajana so do this one if you have time and you’re near Plav. This lake is one of those hidden gems that only the locals know about.
6.2mi (10km)
Locals call this a moderate hike, and it is compared to other hikes in Prokletije. This ridge hike offers stunning panoramic views of the Karanfil Peaks without the technical difficulty found on nearby trails. Everyone will tell you this is the hike in Grebaje Valley that you MUST hike.
Grebaje Valley
You don’t actually need to hike a designated trail in Grebaje Valley, just start walking the road from the entry gate and keep walking until you reach the end, where a panoramic view greets you and the trails lead straight up the mountains.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Biogradska Gora National Park’s crown jewel is undoubtedly its virgin forest, untouched for centuries, as well as its pristine lakes teeming with biodiversity deep in the Bjelasica Mountains. It’s also a great place to hike from katun to katun (the Montenegrin version of hut-to-hut hiking).
2mi (3.4km)
This beginner-friendly trail gently encircles Biograd Lake, the park’s heart and soul. If not staying at a katun nearby, this is most likely where you will begin your hikes or stop for lunch and toilet breaks. You can also rent kayaks here.
Katun Lanista to Biograd Lake
5mi (8km) roundtrip
If you stay at Katun Lanista, as we did, this is a beautiful hike down through the old forest to reach Lake Biograd. Our host offered to meet us at the lake and drive us back up to the katun, but we loved it so much we opted to return on foot.
6mi (9.8km) roundtrip (approximately)
This is a good solid hike from Lake Biograd up to Mt. Bendovac, offering gorgeous views the entire time.
Komovi Nature Park
This is technically a nature park with an entrance fee but it’s still being developed and the road is a long, rough drive up, so we recommend hiring a local guide to pick you up in Kolasin or a nearby town. If you want to trek on your own, park near the Eco Katun Štavna and begin hiking towards the mountains.
13mi (21km)
We hiked a slightly shorter version of this loop and it was our favorite hike in Montenegro. Technically challenging and not recommended for people who fear heights, but if we can do it, YOU can do it! Our guide Zeljko picked the perfect route for us and you can find him on Instagram @zeljko.pejovic
5.8mi (9.3km) out & back
This route also begins from Katun Štavna and is shorter but still a challenging hike, as you summit Mt. Vasojevićki with an elevation gain of 2,480ft (756m).
Lovćen National Park
This is the least talked about park in Montenegro, at least in terms of hiking, but it’s worth mentioning for those seeking lesser trod trails with historic significance. Most tourists only visit this park to visit the Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, but if you visit the Ivanova Korita visitor’s center they can direct you to several trails that are popular with locals.
5.4mi (7km)
An easy, relatively flat loop trail through forest and the tiny village of Dolovi.
For more hikes in Lovćen, Nate at Unbridled World has a good detailed list.
Skadarsko Jezero National Park (Skadar Lake)
As you might imagine, activities in Skadar Lake National Park primarily focus on water sports, so we don’t recommend it as a walking destination. However, if you find yourself near this region, which you probably will if you’re coming from Albania or hiking Peaks of the Balkans, then we suggest the following walk. Better yet, book with someone like Undiscovered Montenegro who is based on Lake Skadar. There is a visitor’s center in Virpazar but I can’t guarantee trail maps in English or easy-to-understand directions.
7mi (11.4km)
This is one of those hidden gem hikes so we can’t always vouch for trail conditions, but if you want to hike near Skadar Lake and have some amazing views, this is a great option. Or you can cheat and drive to the Livari Viewpoint.
Long Distance Trails in Montenegro
Peaks of the Balkans
112mi (180km)
The most well-known long-distance trail in the Balkans, this epic trek traverses Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. It’s a well-developed trail system and is possible to navigate and plan on your own, but we still recommend using a local company to help with transport and lodging (your trip will be MUCH smoother if you do). Read about our Voyage from Valbona to Theth.
Via Dinarica
1,243mi (2,000km) depending on route
One of the longest and most challenging trails in Europe, the Via Dinarica follows the Dinaric Alps from Slovenia to North Macedonia. It is divided into several sections, with the Green Trail, the Blue Trail, and the White Trail.
Montenegro has a sea-to-summit trail called the Coastal Transversal, which covers 3 mountain ranges (Orjen, Lovcen and Rumija) and is roughly 99mi (159km). Recent trail reports say it has become impassable in several sections since it is not being maintained, so we don’t recommend thru-hiking this route at this time. Hopefully this will change in future, because it is a wonderful way to see the entire Montenegrin coastline on foot
Montenegro Towns to Explore on Foot
Budva
Walking old town Budva is something everyone should do, but make sure to arrive early or late in the afternoon to avoid massive crowds. You’ll find a free self-guided walking tour here.
Cetinje
Walk the former royal capital of Montenegro, a charming town that is proud of its heritage and often called the “Capital of Culture.” Hike nearby Lovćen National Park while you’re here.
Kotor
Walking the labyrinthine streets and Venetian architecture of this fortified town is delightful, despite being a super popular tourist destination. Climb the ramparts of Kotor Fortress, trust us, it’s worth the view! Finding a place to park can be difficult, even during off-season, so get here early or arrive late afternoon.
Njeguši
This village is a foodie destination and the perfect way to experience it is by walking through town, tasting the local prosciutto and cheese this region is famous for.
Perast
This picture-perfect village on the Bay of Kotor boasts quaint seaside cafes, baroque churches, and a maritime museum. Take a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks church, a tiny islet adorned with beautiful art and artifacts.
Stari Bar
This is the old section of Bar and it’s absolutely wonderful! Walk the cobblestones streets, marvel at how different the architecture is, and lounge in a cafe, sipping Turkish coffee or fresh pomegranate juice.
Plav
Plav offers walkers a chance to experience the un-touristy side of Montenegro, with Ottoman-influenced architecture and hilly, winding streets that wrap around Lake Plav.
Where to Stay in Montenegro
When choosing where to stay in Montenegro, there are two important experiences we feel everyone should have here: a coastal stay and a rural katun stay.
What is a katun?
Katuns are temporary farming settlements in the mountains where livestock is moved to graze in the summer. If you hike any mountains in Montenegro, you will most likely see one or more of these. Staying at a katun typically means more rugged accommodations but it can vary, especially as katuns begin to focus more heavily on tourism. What you are guaranteed is excellent home cooking, friendly hosts and gorgeous scenery. Read more about Exploring Rural Homestays in Montenegro and for a thorough explanation of the katun history and cultural significance, read The Story of Katuns.
What is an ethno village?
Ethno villages are not unique to Montenegro but this was the first country we’ve visited where we saw the term used so frequently. An ethno village (etno sela) is a settlement created or preserved in order to highlight a particular ethnic group’s way of life. We spent two nights at one of these “open air museums” and I can honestly say it was a unique experience. While not as personal as the katuns, these offer a wider range of services, more guests to interact with, and are usually easier to reach without having an off-road vehicle.
You can find katuns and ethno villages on Montenegro’s Rural Tourism site. This focus on rural tourism is one of the primary reasons we chose a walking holiday in Montenegro.
Mountain Hiking Bases in Montenegro
Zabljak
Nestled in the heart of Durmitor National Park, Zabljak is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The town itself is small but quickly growing, so we suggest lodging just outside of town so you fully appreciate the vast mountains and wide open spaces.
Kolasin
Just south of Zabljak, Kolasin is a bustling mountain town popular with winter sport enthusiasts. It is the perfect base for hiking Biogradska Gora National Park and Komovi Nature Park. Plenty of stores and restaurants make this a good base for several days or longer. It’s also an easy town to walk around with interesting historical monuments and buildings.
Nikšić
Montenegro’s second largest city, Nikšić is a good choice for those who want an active night life and city amenities but still located centrally for good hiking options. This college town will keep you busy with plenty of sightseeing by day and bar hopping at night. For a hidden gem, consider booking this guided hike to the beautiful Lake Kapetanovo. It begins in Nikšić.
Plav or Gusinje
Near the Albanian border, these historic towns offer a unique blend of Montenegrin and Albanian cultures. Our favorite katun overlooks Plav and is an excellent place to experience genuine Balkan hospitality. Nearby Gusinje is the perfect base for hiking the Dinaric Alps and Prokletije National Park, where you can also find lodging within the park.
Pljevlja
In the far north close to the Serbian border, Pljevlja’s charm lies in its Ottoman-era architecture, historic mosques, and the Tara River Canyon, the second largest in Europe. Hiking, kayaking and canyoning are popular activities near this beautiful town.
Coastal Hiking Bases in Montenegro
Bar
This is our coastal town of choice in Montenegro. It’s affordable, family-friendly, easy to park anywhere and is perfect for those who love evening walks with the locals. It’s close enough to drive to all coastal towns within a day.
Kotor or Budva
This is just our personal bias because we don’t like crowded touristy destinations, but we only recommend staying in Kotor or Budva if you will be traveling without a car. These towns are tourist hotspots, which means it’s easy to book day tours from here, allowing you to see more of the country without driving or relying on slow public buses. Lodging is pricier here, however, so consider staying elsewhere and using that money to hire a private driver.
Best Hiking Tour Companies for Montenegro
This well-established company offers multi-day self-guided and guided hiking tours that are perfect for hitting all the highlights of Montenegro. They can design custom walking holidays.
Offers day hikes within Durmitor National Park. Excellent choice for the lesser trod trails that are difficult to hike without a guide.
Based in Podgorica, Nikena specializes in creating tailor-made eco-friendly adventures that focus on improving the lives of rural communities.
Based on Lake Skadar, this is one of our favorites for guided hiking tours in the region. Their Cross-Border Hiking from Montenegro to Albania tour is a fabulous choice, as are their center-based tours from their lovely lake resort.
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PLUS, I design the rest of your trip, including flights, extra travel day accommodations, activities, & more!
For those who want to plan their own Montenegro walking holiday, we highly recommend Rudolf Abraham’s The Mountains of Montenegro: A Walker’s and Trekker’s Guide. Cicerone Press even lists each chapter online so you can see what trails are covered in this guide.
For our personal stories of hiking in Montenegro, start with Embracing Simplicity: Exploring Rural Homestays in Montenegro.
