Zabljak, Montenegro

Small town of Zabljak, located among soaring mountain peaks, ancient glacier lakes in untouched wilderness is an ample space to reconnect with nature.

Zabljak is situated in an enchanting natural environment of Durmitor Mountain. Its location at an altitude of 1456m makes it the highest situated town on the Balkans. Although it has reach natural resources for winter tourism, it is more interesting and much more visited during summer time. This quite town lies on the borders of the National park Durmitor, covering an area of 39,000hectares, surrounded by 18 glacial lakes, beautiful canyons, 748 natural springs, virgin forests with more than 400 years old trees, ice caves… Gorgeous Black Lake is a few minutes drive around 2miles from Zabljak town centre.
After a scenic hour and a half drive east of Zabljak you approach “Djurdjevica Tara » Bridge which at its time of completion was the largest vehicular arch bridge in Europe. Everywhere you look is a perfect picture from a glossy travel book - dazzling peaks, alpine meadows, turquoise lakes, dense forests and wildlife galore. The dramatic collision of mountains and turquoise lakes, in the northwest corner of Montenegro has forged a combination of grasslands, aspen groves,
evergreen forests and alpine landscapes, which means a unique diversity of plant life and a rich variety of wildlife.
Because all this, many consider it the hidden jewel in the crown.

Durmitor National Park

Durmitor is the highest mountain in Montenegro – “Bobotov kuk” its highest summit at 2523m. The first man to climb on it was Austrian Oscar Bauman. It has peaks above 2000m, 27 above 2200m . Additionally, it is a home to Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe (1300m) and second deepest in the world. Because of its blue-green crystal clear, unpolluted water it is referred to as the “The tear of Europe”.
Such untouched beauty of Durmitor and river Tara have gained international recognition twice. As part of the project “Biosphere and the Human” in 1977river Tara was enlisted in the ecological register for preservation of the world’s biosphere, as granted by the international convention. In 1980, Durmitor National Park was declared a world’s natural heritage and
registered by UNESCO.

Durmitor simply glorifies a life – rich floral cover; diverse fauna; more than 1500 species of various plants whereby some of them are characteristic for Arctic. In the canyons of Piva and Tara rivers could be found presence of  tercial vegetation, and the wetlands in the lakes represent enclaves typical for Siberian Taiga. Meadows and  lakes are surrounded by forests of ash tree, beech, black beech, birch and  needle trees – in particular black pine hanging over precipitous abysses. Some specimens of black pine are more than 400 years old and more than 50m  high. More than 40 edible mushrooms species could be found on the slopes of Durmitor. This area is a habitat for more than 160 bird species and over 300 animals - more than 130 butterfly species among which the most interesting, beautiful apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) which is protected due to its magnificent beauty.

What to do?

In summer, ride horses, hike endless trails, watch for wildlife or go for a paddle on a turquoise lake. In winter, the mountain offers rather modest conditions for skiing or snowboarding.

Thousands of kilometers of trails stretch and wind through diverse landscapes are paradise for hiking. Within over 2000m of marked hiking trails in the National Park are trails
for all fitness levels – you can simply explore the meadows, hills, lakes and rejuvenate in lush greenery accompanied only by birds-tweeting and come across the herds and shepherds. For those who are more adventurous, climbing to some of numerous peaks of Durmitor ensures the breathtaking experience.
The trail, leading to the very top of the mountain was made at the beginning of the 20th century as a wish of King Nikola I.

Tara River Rafting is one of the activities, which should not be missed – spectacular sceneries and marvelous beauty of the canyon and waterfalls.

For the adrenaline seekers Canyoning in Nevidio Canyon is the most extreme activity in South Eastern Europe. With over 20 jump sights, natural slides, waterfalls, underground caves it is true life altering experience. By its inapproachability and unreal beauty canyon Nevidio stands out. About 1.000 meters deep, and only one meter wide.