Durmitor National Park is one of my favorite places on earth, and that’s not an overstatement.

You’ve made it here, which certainly indicates that you can’t be that much of a fool. The real fools are the ones who come to Montenegro but somehow pass up on this gem.

But being somewhere and taking advantage of it are two different things.

So in this post, I’m going to tell you how to do just that, and do all the best things that there are to do in Durmitor.

Nobody wants to be a fool. So follow my tips to a T, or else be added to the ever-growing list.

Need some assistance with your Montenegro travels? Here’s my ultimate 10-day itinerary, packed with the best things to see and do in this amazing country! Durmitor, Kotor, Lake Skadar, coast & more.

1. Drive the Famous Durmitor Ring

See, I’m a fan of completely untouched nature. Add a few walking trails here and there, and that’s about it, in my book.

But boy do I also love a good road.

And that’s what the Durmitor Ring offers: 3 hours worth of smooth, winding roads from which you can take in the remarkable scenery as it shifts around you.

The ring begins and ends in the main town of Žabljak.

It starts with an incline into the mountains, where you get a view over the town and Black Lake below.

You then wind through forest, before things eventually begin to open up.

And that’s when you’ll begin to see the truly spectacular.

You feel like you’re in another world when you drive the ring. Every turn opens up a new panorama, each as unique and dramatic as the last.

The ring takes about 3 hours to drive, but it can easily become a full day if you take frequent stops: picnics, photos, running up a small mountain here, there.

Stopping on the side of the road and by some local cheese. Going for a hike (see below ;). And, most importantly- just taking it all in.

2. Conquer Bobotov Kuk: Montenegro’s Tallest Mountain

Have you summited a country before?

Summiting a nation is the closest you’ll get to divine right without the crown. You stand up there with the slight breeze, turning your head slowly while staring down at all those peasants below.

A beautiful illusion of power.

Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in the country, reaching an altitude of 2,523 meters (8,578 ft).

I wouldn’t call it a beginners hike, but it’s doable for anyone in decent physical shape.

There are multiple places to start from, but I recommend you start from the Sedlo Pass. It’s the shortest from here, taking around 3-5 hours to summit (depending either on your hiking prowess, or if you don’t follow the signs and get lost like we did).

My friends and I hiked Bobotov Kuk on the same day that we drove the Ring, but if you’ve got multiple days in Durmitor (only a fool wouldn’t), you have the option of splitting it up.

If you do split it up, you have the option of taking the longer route starting in Žabljak. This would probably take 9-12 hours. Another option is to take a cab to the Sedlo Pass, and then end in Žabljak (around 7-10 hours).

Note: The Durmitor Ring and Bobotov Kuk are pinned on Offpath, my interactive map app showing the best off-the-beaten path spots around the globe.

3. Visit the Beautiful Crno Jezero (Black Lake)

The Black Lake (or Crno Jezero) is one of the highlights of the National Park.

It’s a glacial lake surrounded by dense pine forests and towering peaks, with deep blue-green waters that change color with the light.

I would recommend coming here early in the morning or later in the evening (either Day 1 or 2), as this is when you get the smallest crowds with the best lighting and colors.

If you’re here in the summer, I definitely recommend taking a swim. The water was shockingly warm for an alpine lake. Challenge yourself to swim across.

And note that I didn’t say warm. I said warm for an alpine lake. So don’t go off in the comments when you come out and your hands are just a little bit blue.

You can also rent a small wooden boat on the lake. If I recall, it costs under 10 euros, and it’s a great way to get on the lake if you’re not in the mood for a swim.

Coward.

4. Explore the Tara River Canyon

The Grand Canyon? Old news. The Tara River Canyon is what’s in now.

The Canyon forms the eastern boundary of Durmitor National Park.

It’s not quite as deep or large as the Grand Canyon, but the Tara River Canyon is the deepest of its kind in Europe, and one of the deepest in the world.

But one thing even the Grand Canyon cannot claim to have is an electric turquoise-blue river running at its core.

Start your visit at the Ðurdevića Tara Bridge, which runs over the canyon thousands of feet in the air.

Stop, take it in, take some photos, and zip-line across if you’ve got 25 euros to use up (no, I wouldn’t say it’s worth it).

Then you’ve got two options: go rafting or just find a place to swim.

I would only recommend rafting here in the spring, when the snowmelt results in larger rapids. Unless, of course, your idea of fun is a river’s version of a moving sidewalk where the highlight is spotting a lost duck. Which is fine, of course.

In all seriousness, the views are still magnificent in the summer. I just don’t think the price is worth it when you can check out the river for free.

Because no- you don’t need to go rafting to reach those tantalizingly turquoise waters.

There are a number of spots to swim. The most accessible of these come when you drive down the road by the canyon. Eventually, you’ll reach the starting point for rafting which happens to be a great spot, so long as its not too busy.

There’s another spot- a secret beach, if you will- that requires a bit of a hike. But enough about that here- I’ve got a whole post on that if you’re legitimately curious.

Oh, and by the way- this water is not warm- in any sense of the word.

5. Tackle a Via Ferrata Route

Yes, that’s right. You’re a fool if you don’t go up a steep mountain trail with nothing but a harness preventing you from falling to your death.

I didn’t personally do via ferrata in Durmitor. But that’s mainly because I didn’t know about it until it was too late.

There’s only one via ferrata route in Durmitor, and it starts from the same spot as the hike to Bobotov Kuk- the Sedlo Pass.

I got into a conversation with hikers joining me down from Bobotov Kuk, and they’re the ones who told me about it.

For those who don’t know, via ferrata is a hiking path up a mountain that’s marked by a cable, which you attach yourself to with a harness. It’s more exciting than a standard hike, but not like legit rock climbing.

It might seem intimidating, but the trail is perfectly safe even if you are a complete beginner.

That being said, going on a tour will probably be beneficial for those less experienced. You can find numerous options in Žabljak, but it’s always smart to book in advance, which you can do using the link below.

6. Explore Durmitor on Two Wheels

You don’t necessarily need a car to explore Durmitor.

Riding through Durmitor by bike can be a nice way of exploring the park while getting some exercise. You can rent E-bikes through Durmitor Adventure, which is the highest reviewed and most popular for E-bikes in Durmitor.

This website has a terrific post on riding in Durmitor and the best routes to take. Highly recommend checking it out if you’re interested!

If you want to be able to cover more ground while expending less energy, I recommend renting an E-bike. Either that, or take one of the tours below which provide E-bikes and show you some of the best spots!

7. Stay in a Classic Katun Cabin

To stop yourself from becoming a ‘fool’, you not only have to do the right things by day- you’re also obliged to do the right things by night.

That means you stay where I tell you to stay, with no exceptions.

When you roll into Durmitor, you’ll notice these cabins immediately. Possibly, you’ve noticed them elsewhere in the mountains of Montenegro as well as some other Balkan countries.

These are trademark Montenegrin rustic wooden huts with steep, triangular roofs designed to withstand heavy snow.

But even though you’ll likely be here in the summer, the cozy vibe is still perfect- especially after the long days in the National Park that you better be having.

I’ve just written a full post on the best places to stay in Durmitor- including the best katun cabins. Check that out here!

If you don’t feel like suffering through another post of mine, here are three of my favorite options: luxury, mid, and budget. You’re welcome.

And remember- don’t be a fool.