Explore the wonders of northern Montenegro with this detailed guide. Discover the breathtaking Tara River and its canyon, the stunning Durmitor National Park with its highest peak, Bobotov Kuk, and the engineering marvel of Đurđevića Tara Bridge. You’ll find all the essential information: prices, photos, coordinates, directions, tips, and travel hacks.
Table of contents:
- The Tara River and Its Canyon
- Durmitor National Park
- Đurđevića Tara Bridge
- Tips for visitors exploring Tara River Canyon, Durmitor Park and Đurđevića Tara Bridge
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
The Tara River and Its Canyon
The Tara River is Montenegro’s largest river, stretching 142 km within the country — quite a significant distance for Montenegro. It flows from west to east through mountainous terrain, carving through numerous canyons and gorges.
Many travel articles mention the Tara River and its canyon as a must-see destination. However, these guides often lack clear directions on where to go and what to explore. This guide provides exactly the information travelers need — because the Tara Canyon stretches over 60 km, and not all areas offer great views or easy car access.
Useful Information:
The Tara River is a pristine, mountain-fed river with crystal-clear water. Locals in mountain villages drink directly from it. It’s often called “the tear of Europe” for its abundance of clean, drinkable water.
What to See in the Tara Canyon
Let’s get one thing straight: you can technically reach this area by public transport, but it’s neither easy nor practical. You’ll miss out on many stunning sights without a car. The best you can do by public transport is take a bus to the town of Žabljak, and from there continue on foot, hitchhiking, or by taxi. The distance from Žabljak to the most beautiful spots in the Tara Canyon ranges from 10 to 25 km.
Recommended Route:
- Take the incredibly scenic R4 road from the village of Mojkovac (coordinates: 42.956349, 19.576184) to Đurđevića Tara Bridge (coordinates: 43.148686, 19.292395). This 45 km road runs along the Tara River, featuring viewpoints, tunnels, interesting stops, and breathtaking landscapes.
- Along the way, you’ll find numerous signs pointing to bridges and river access points.
- Don’t miss: Stop by the Premćanski Bridge. It’s hidden from the road, but here are the coordinates: 43.11335450177343, 19.360794649999168. The photos below will help you appreciate its beauty.
Durmitor National Park
Durmitor National Park is rightly one of Montenegro’s top tourist attractions.
A brief history (for those who are interested):
- Established: 1952.
- The Tara River and its canyon form the park’s northern border.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Added in 1980.
- Size: Approximately 400 sq km (20×20 km area).
- Durmitor lies in Montenegro’s mountainous region, with an average altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level. Keep in mind that it’s always about 10 degrees colder here than on the coast. You can find detailed information about Montenegro’s weather and seasons in this guide.
Durmitor National Park: How to Get There, Location, Prices, Parking, and Accommodation
- The main entrance to Durmitor National Park is just 3 km from the bus station in the town of Žabljak. You can easily walk there. For information on how to get to Žabljak, refer to the guide linked earlier.
- Coordinates of the main entrance: 43.151231194153574, 19.10304884663013
- There’s a free parking lot right at the entrance.
Good to know:
There are about five entrances to the park, each with nearby parking. They all eventually lead to the same central area, so just follow the signs that appear a couple of kilometers before the park — you won’t get lost.
- Entrance fee: €5 per person.
Important:
It’s possible to leave Budva in the morning, explore Durmitor Park for 3-4 hours, and return by night. But this would be a rushed experience — you’d barely scratch the surface of what the park has to offer. I recommend staying for at least one or two nights. Accommodation options are plentiful in Žabljak. You’ll find links to reliable booking resources at the end of the article.
Durmitor Park Attractions in the Tara River Canyon
Here’s what you can expect in Durmitor National Park and my recommended places to visit:
- Black Lake and the 3.8 km Hiking Trail Around It
- Coordinates: 43.147796213288174, 19.096839011554046
- The trail around Black Lake is well-maintained, with plenty of benches offering stunning views.
- You can also rent boats or kayaks at the lake for an additional fee of €10 per hour.
- The park features 25 marked mountain hiking trails with elevation gains of up to 1200 meters. Almost all of them can be completed in a single day.
- Zminje Lake (Snake Lake): coordinates 43.155922673723936, 19.07050923562197
Tips:
Download the free apps Maps.me or OrganicMaps and get the Montenegro map. These apps, available for Android and iOS, show all the trails and paths in Durmitor Park.
- Curevac Peak — A Scenic Viewpoint Over the Tara Canyon:
- Coordinates: 43.20173926804945, 19.092996328009153
- Free parking coordinates: 43.193926603375054, 19.08966032521709
- This is an easy hike with minimal elevation gain. It takes about 30-40 minutes from the parking lot to reach the summit.
- During the high season, there may be a €5 entrance fee (there’s a ticket kiosk at the parking area). There’s also a small café nearby.
- Devil’s Lake (Vražje Jezero) and Fish Lake (Riblje Jezero).
- These two small circular lakes are located near each other. From a nearby hill, you get a decent view of both.
- They aren’t exactly awe-inspiring, but if you’re driving by, it’s worth stopping.
- Devil’s Lake (Vražje Jezero) coordinates: 43.07953320884443, 19.144783856823334
- Free to Visit.
Sedlo Mountain Pass and Montenegro’s Highest Peak — Bobotov Kuk (2522 m)
These two stunning landmarks deserve special attention.
Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in Montenegro. There’s still some debate about whether Zla Kolata, at 2534 meters, holds the title. However, Zla Kolata lies on the border of three countries — Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro — and it’s unclear which country technically owns the summit.
If you’re up for a challenge, there are two main routes to conquer Bobotov Kuk: the northern and southern routes. Be prepared for a strenuous hike.
Northern Route to Bobotov Kuk:
- Starting point: Black Lake in Durmitor National Park
- Coordinates of the Starting Point: 43.148268627794785, 19.097279001834927
- Coordinates of Bobotov Kuk Summit: 43.128326162467474, 19.03390754227619
- Trail length: 8 km
- Elevation gain: nearly 1300 meters
- Round trip: 8 to 12 hours
Southern Route to Bobotov Kuk (Easier):
- Starting point: Sedlo Mountain Pass. There’s no single starting point, but there are 3-4 parking areas and trailheads within a couple of kilometers of each other. Below are the coordinates for the most popular starting point:
- Coordinates of the Starting Point: 43.106894, 19.024547
- Trail length: 3.5 km
- Elevation gain: 750 meters
- Total hike time: 4-5 hours
Good to know:
The southern route is much easier, but you’ll need a car to reach the trailhead. The northern route, on the other hand, starts from Žabljak, which is easily accessible by bus from Podgorica.
Renting a car in Montenegro is affordable and convenient. Check out tips on car rental, driving rules, road conditions, and driving culture.
Sedlo Pass in Durmitor National Park
This is Montenegro’s highest and most picturesque road, R14, connecting Žabljak with Piva Lake.
- Piva Lake: A Review and Disappointment — More in the linked article.
Sedlo Pass is marked by two peaks that resemble a saddle from a distance. You can’t climb the peaks or drive between them, but the views from the road are absolutely stunning.
Author’s opinion:
This place is fantastic, easily earning a 5/5 rating. However, I wouldn’t recommend driving here solely for Sedlo Pass from the coast. If you’re already planning to visit Durmitor National Park or the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, then Sedlo is a must-see stop.
Đurđevića Tara Bridge: Essential Information
Đurđevića Tara Bridge is a functioning arch automobile bridge over the Tara River near Durmitor National Park, located about 20 km from Žabljak.
- Bridge coordinates: 43.15040181163817, 19.29483720239517
- Open 24/7, year-round
- Free entry.
- The bridge offers stunning views and is situated in the breathtaking Tara River Canyon.
- Right by the bridge, you’ll find souvenir shops, 3–4 restaurants and taverns, and small hotels for overnight stays.
- Parking during high season costs 2 euros per car.
Brief History of the Bridge
I’m not a fan of reprinting Wikipedia content—you can read it yourself. But the bridge’s history is fascinating, so here’s a quick recap:
- The Đurđevića Tara Bridge was built before World War II.
- It was the only road connecting the Central Balkans to Montenegro’s coast.
During the war, as Italian fascist forces advanced, one of the engineers who designed the bridge destroyed one of its spans, halting the enemy’s advance and essentially saving a large part of Montenegro from occupation.
After the war, the bridge was reconstructed within a week. Remarkably, the engineer had designed the bridge so that the explosion wouldn’t damage the supporting arches, making it easy to restore.
Despite being a hero who saved thousands of lives, he was later executed by Yugoslav partisans.
Today, with the development of the road network, the bridge no longer plays such a vital role but remains the only route to the coast for thousands of people.
Viewing Points for Đurđevića Tara Bridge and the Canyon
The bridge itself offers fantastic views, but here are additional nearby spots for panoramic photos (all within a 1–2 km radius):
- 43.149198, 19.292760: Right next to the bridge, walk down about 20-30 meters below the road surface for great shots.
- 43.154935, 19.294752
- 43.137176, 19.300791
Of course, the view from the bridge itself is fantastic too.
Activities Near the Bridge: Ziplining & Rafting
Đurđevića Tara Bridge has become a hub for extreme tourism in Montenegro. At the start of the bridge, you’ll find multiple offices offering rafting trips down the Tara Canyon and three zipline courses.
- There are three zipline tracks near the bridge, with prices ranging from 15 to 40 euros depending on length and speed. No need to book in advance—just pay (cash preferred) and fly. Even in peak season, wait times rarely exceed 10-15 minutes. One of the zipline routes is 1,050 meters long, with speeds reaching up to 80 km/h—all with breathtaking views of the bridge.
- Rafting: Several companies offer trips. Jeeps take you from the bridge to the starting point. Prices start at 50 euros, depending on the season and group size. Departures every 2-3 hours. It’s best to book in advance or have flexible timing.
Tourist Tips for Visiting the Tara River Canyon, Durmitor Park, and Đurđevića Tara Bridge
Here are some general tips to help you plan the perfect trip:
- Season: May to October. By late October, rafting is unavailable, but ziplining remains open. The same applies to Durmitor Park.
- Climate: This is a mountainous region, usually 10 degrees cooler than the coast. Winters bring heavy snowfall, so pack accordingly.
- Road Closures: The R14 road through Sedlo Pass closes for winter, sometimes as early as November 1. Keep that in mind.
- Recommended Stay: Plan for 2-3 nights. Spend one day exploring Durmitor Park, Black Lake, the trail around the lake, Curevac Peak, and maybe a boat ride on Black Lake. On the second day, visit Đurđevića Tara Bridge for rafting, ziplining, and more. That doesn’t leave much time for climbing Bobotov Kuk, right? 😊
If you’re looking for truly rugged mountains and challenging hikes, check out Prokletije Mountains and Grebaje Valley in Montenegro. Here’s a teaser photo:
- If you check the map, you’ll notice a cable car near Žabljak for just 10 euros, offering beautiful views. You might want to give it a try.
- Overall, there are countless walking routes here; you won’t cover even half of them in 3 days. And there’s also a small ski resort, Savin Kuk. But read about this in the article Montenegro in winter.
Final Thoughts
The Tara River, Tara Canyon, Đurđevića Tara Bridge, and Durmitor Park are some of Montenegro’s most incredible attractions. If you’re looking to break away from beach vacations, be sure to come here—you won’t regret it. All locations are close to one another, with many even within walking distance. The most important thing is your desire to explore!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel