Montenegro is a dream destination for hikers, as this small country combines dramatic mountain landscapes with stunning Adriatic coastal trails. Hiking trails of different complexity levels are available.
Hiking complexity level: Easy
Easy level means that you don’t need any special equipment or preparation. Only make sure you are in a good state of health, and the weather forecast allows hiking. These trails do not take much time (within 1-2 hours).
- Durmitor, the trail around Black Lake.
The hike typically starts near the main entrance to the lake, just a 10–15 minute walk from the center of Žabljak. The length of this trail is about 3.5 km, and it takes 1-1.5 hours. The best time to go is from May to October. In winter, it can be covered with snow. In July and August, you can combine hiking with swimming in the lake. - Petrovac – Reževići trail.
The trail connects Petrovac with Reževići Monastery. It consists of two parts: the first part, from Hotel Danica, not far from Petrovac embankment, to Perazića Do beach, is not a hiking but a pleasant walking through pines with spectacular sea views. It is recommended for everyone, don’t miss it while being in Petrovac! Its length is about 1 km, with no elevation.
The second part is up to Reževići Monastery, also about 1 km, but with moderate elevation. It is a little bit more complicated.
The trail is normally accessible all year round (except in heavy rains). During the summer months, you can combine hiking with visiting Perazića Do beach. - Biogradska Gora, the educational trail around Lake Biograd.
The educational trail around Lake Biograd is a calm walk through one of Europe’s last untouched forests, combining natural beauty, biodiversity, and learning. The starting point is a Visitor center and parking area near Lake Biograd. The distance is about 3.5 km.
There are many nice places for a picnic along the trail. You’ll see different trees, including beech, fir, maple, ash, and elm, with different information about them. Renting a boat is available on the lake’s shore. The best visit time is from April to October. In other times, first check the availability of Biogradska Gora National Park.
Hiking complexity level: Middle
Middle level means that the trails are accessible for people in a good state of health, in good weather, without special equipment. But still, you need to be prepared, and check what time of the day or year it’s worth going hiking. Make sure you have enough water with you.
- Hiking trail to the top of the Kotor Fortress. The Kotor Fortress hike is one of the most iconic hikes in Montenegro. The main official trail starts near Kotor Old Town (you’ll see the pointers to it in the Old Town), and you need to pay 15 euros as an entrance fee. The path consists of stone steps. Elevation from the Old Town to the fortress is about 300m, and the way takes 1.5-2 hours back and forth. The views of the Bay of Kotor are really breathtaking.
The trail is generally accessible all year round (in winter the entrance is sometimes free), but avoid rainy days and very hot days in July and August (during summer months better to start the hike early in the morning or before sunset). Make sure to take enough water with you.
An alternative way is the Ladder of Kotor. This is the old trade and shepherd route connecting Kotor with Njeguši village and the interior of Lovćen National Park. Its start is just outside Kotor’s North Gate. Instead of steps, you’ll have a path zigzagging up the slope behind the walls. From this route, you can enter the Kotor Fortress from the back entrance or continue hiking further. - Jegor’s path, Sveti Stefan.
The trail starts at Monastery Praskvica, which is just above Sveti Stefan, in the region of Budva (there is a convenient free parking near the monastery). It leads up to the summit of the hill Čelobrdo, which offers panoramic views over Sveti Stefan, Miločer, the Adriatic sea, Budva Riviera, and nearby beaches.
The path is named after a Russian monk, Jegor Stroganov, who, according to local legend, built the path “from sea to sky” in the 19th century. It took him more than 10 years.
The trail is sometimes steps, and sometimes just a narrow path. Elevation is moderate, and the trail is not very long, so you can reach Čelobrdo within 1 hour. Jegor’s path is accessible from early spring to late autumn, but escape wet days, when the steps get slippery. Also in hot months (July/August), it makes sense to go either early in the morning or during sunset. - Lovćen: Ivanova Korita – Jezerski vrh (Njegoš Mausoleum).
Lovćen National Park, situated between Cetinje and Kotor, is one of the most captivating destinations for hiking, offering breathtaking mountain views and rich historical significance. The highest peaks in this area are Štirovnik and Jezerski vrh. On top of Jezerski vrh, you’ll find Njegoš Mausoleum, dedicated to Montenegro’s greatest poet and Vladika Petar II Petrović Njegoš.
Ivanova Korita – Jezerski vrh trail is about 5 km one way. On top, 461 stone steps lead to one of Montenegro’s most well-known viewpoints.
Other possible trails in Lovćen National Park include Ivanova Korita – Štirovnik Peak, Cetinje – Ivanova Korita, Kotor – Krstac – Ivanova Korita (the Old Caravan Trail).
The best time to visit Lovćen National Park for hiking is May to October. In July and August, make sure you have enough water and sun protection. In winter, it can be heavy snow here, and the peaks are normally covered with ice and snow. - Vrmac trails.
The Vrmac ridge, situated between Kotor and Tivat, offers several excellent hiking trails with scenic views of the Bay of Kotor.
For example, you can do the Vrmac Fort Hike, starting from Kotor and going up to Fort Vrmac. The distance is approximately 6 km round-trip, and this may take 3-4 hours, including fort exploration and enjoying the views. Elevation is about 500 m.
Another option is to Fort Vrmac → Sveti Ilija summit following old Austro-Hungarian military roads and paths. This trail is about 5 km one way, or 10 km round-trip, but you can make it shorter if you want.
Also, a bunch of short hikes are here, like Stoliv – Gornji Stoliv.
Normally, Vrmac trails are accessible all year round, but during winter you need to check if there is snow here, and in summer months escape it if it is too hot (or go early morning and don’t forget water). - Durmitor trails: to Snake Lake (Zminje Jezero) or Jablan Lake (Jablan Jezero).
The trail from Black Lake to Snake Lake is easy to moderate. You start near Black Lake and go through the forest trail with low elevation. There are different possible versions of making a loop, but generally, this hike is within 2-3 hours total (if you return to Black Lake).
Jablan lies under the cliffs of Crvena Greda, so this hike is more demanding. You can start from Bosača or Momčilov Grad. Starting from Black Lake is also possible if you don’t have a car.
Finally, you can start (take a taxi) to the trailhead in Bosača, hike to Crvena Greda, and return to the Black Lake on foot, passing by the three glacial lakes – Jablan, Zminje, and Barno – to create a 15 km route. That will be a full-day route.
Recommended time of the year for these hikes is from May to September. - Prokletije: trail Vusanje – Grlja waterfall – Oko Skakavice – Ropojana valley – border with Albania.
This scenic and quite accessible hiking trail lies in Prokletije National Park. It starts in Vusanje village (Gusinje municipality) and goes through Grlja waterfall, then Oko Skakavice (The Eye of Skakavica), then through glacial Ropojana Valley to the border with Albania.
Oko Skakavice is a natural wonder of Montenegro, a turquoise-blue pool — the source of the Skakavica River and karst spring.
The whole distance one-way is about 6 km with an elevation of 300-400 m. The path is usually accessible from May to October. - Prokletije: hiking to Popadija, Talijanka, Volušnica. This route typically starts from Dolina Grebaje (Grebaje Valley), goes through the forest to the meadows, and then onto the ridge line of Volušnica (1,879 m). From Volušnica, you continue along the ridge to Talijanka (≈2,056 m) and then onto Popadija (≈2,057 m).
The distance is about 8-12 km, depending on the exact route, and it takes 4-6 hours. Elevation gain is about 1,000 m (anda similar descent) from the valley/lodge up to 2,000 m.
The trail starts relatively easily, so you can do only the first part. The complexity of the whole route is moderate to hard.
Summer and early autumn are the best times to go.
Hiking complexity level: Difficult
A difficult level means special preparation and/or equipment is required. Our aim here is just to give a brief list of the trails, and definitely, this short information is not enough to start hiking them! Additionally, you would be better off having previous experience for these hikes.
- Durmitor: Sedlo Pass – Bobotov Kuk. Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in Durmitor (2,523 m). The traditional route starts from Sedlo Pass ( about 1,900–1,907 m). It is about 5-6 km one way (so the round trip is 10-12 km, up to 6 hours). The best time to go is July-September, start early morning, and check the weather forecast. The views are perfect even from the starting point, and then you’ll see alpine meadows, lakes, rocky ridges, etc. Good physical shape and prior experience are required. Take water, sunscreen, GPS or a map, and tracking poles.
- Prokletije: Zla Kolata. Zla Kolata has an elevation of 2,534 m and it is the highest mountain in Montenegro. The mountain belongs to the Prokletije (also known as the “Accursed Mountains”) range, near the border with Albania. The starting point can be near the village of Vusanje. The distance is about 10-12 km one way (or ~20-24 km return), depending on start, with ~1,400-1,500 m ascent. The best time to go is July-September. The trail is considered hard, so you need to be well prepared and equipped.