Mountain And National Park Durmitor
If you were looking for a perfect mountain, it would be difficult to find a better one than - Durmitor. This Montenegrin monstrosity has it all: heavenly peaks, vast plateaus, glacial valleys, pearly lakes, branching forests, meadows, and pastures rich in grazing. There is no lack of karsts, stones, or rocks. It also abounds with rivers, even canyons, numerous pits and caves, and various medicinal plants that were "hidden" everywhere. And there are not just a few examples of all of this to be seen, but of all of it in abundance.
Another specificity is related to Durmitor. In accordance with its lively people and their eloquence, imagination, spirit, and epic culture, all those Durmitor beauties have their own legend, unusual story, and some wonderful myth accompanied by an epic song.
It is believed that the origin of the name Durmitor goes back to the time when the Celts lived in the Balkans. It is believed that they called it "dru mi tore", which in translation would mean - "mountain full of water".
To preserve the authentic natural beauty of Mount Durmitor and its surroundings, the Durmitor National Park was established in 1952. NP Durmitor covers 39,000 hectares and includes the massif of Mount Durmitor and the canyons of the Tara, Draga, Sušice, and Komarnica rivers.
Durmitor National Park was included in the "World Cultural and Natural Heritage" in 1980, which is the highest level of protection on a planetary level. Three years earlier, the Tara River and its canyon became part of UNESCO's world ecological biosphere reserve.
Durmitor On The Map
Durmitor occupied a position in the northeast of Montenegro. It is also the highest mountain in Montenegro. Its highest peak, Bobotiv Kuk, reached a height of 2,523 meters. By the way, in a very small area, Durmitor has a total of 48 peaks higher than 2,000 meters. Their foothills are adorned with as many as 18 glacial lakes. At about 1,500 meters above sea level, the central part of Durmitor is dominated by the wide and spacious Jezerska plateau.
Experts have counted more than 200 pits and caves on Durmitor, most of which have not been explored. The Ice Cave hidden in the rock below the peak of Obla Glava stands out. The entrance is steep due to snow and ice, so it can only be lowered using a rope. Magnificent stalactites and stalagmites dominate the space, 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, forming unusual figures. Because of those frozen ornaments and the ice that is in them, it is called the Ice Cave.
Durmitor National Park initially included a narrower area of the mountain but later expanded to include the winding canyon of the Tara River. When looking at the map, NP Durmitor now looks like an axe, and the long canyon of Tara is its handle.
Flora and fauna of mountain Durmitor
After several years of researching the plant life on Durmitor, Botanists found that more than 1,600 plants grow here, and many endemic species do not grow anywhere else. Since many areas, above all evergreen forests, have been protected from logging for the last hundred years, the untouched black pine forest stands out in Durmitor, where you can find individual trees over 50 meters tall and hundreds of years old. What is interesting about Durmitor, and not found on other mountains, is that in several places above the coniferous forests, beech, the deciduous forest has grown. This is most unusual considering that deciduous forests mostly grow in lower areas and under conifers.
Durmitor National Park is home to the brown bear, gray wolf, fox, European wild cat, wild boar, badger, squirrel, rabbit, and several species of frogs... The forest is protected by law on Durmitor. Море then 130 species of birds have been recorded, of which rare birds of prey such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, hawk, grouse, partridge, woodpecker, woodpecker, buzzard...
As the area of the national park has from the beginning been inhabited, except for heights above 1,500 meters, in recent decades, it has been taken into account how much wood is cut for household firewood, how much edible mushrooms and medicinal herbs are harvested, so that certain plant species do not become eradicated.
Lakes At Durmitor - "The Eyes Of The Mountains" (Gorske Oči)
The special beauty of Durmitor is given by its numerous "pearl" lakes. They were created by the centuries-old action of glaciers, which hollowed out valleys at the foot of the mountain peaks. Rainwater and melted snow from the rocky peaks flowed into them, and this is how the lakes were formed. They are also called "mountain lakes eyes", which is the name for all glacial lakes formed near the tops of mountains. Durmitor has as many as 18 of his blue-blue and "emerald" "mountain eyes".
Certainly, the most popular, but also the largest lake in Durmitor, is Crno Lake. Due to its location, which is only two kilometers from the village of Žabljak, it is the most visited lake. It is an incredible 49 meters deep. It is the deepest of all Durmitor lakes. It is surrounded by a dense conifer forest, and the Međed mountain peak rises above it. Crno Jezero was granted the status of a protected natural asset in 1907.
Like Crno Lake, Zminja Lake is also hidden among the spruces, completely hidden from human roads, only the peak of Crvena Greda towers over it.
Sušičko Lake is surrounded by a forest of black pine, which has grown on steep cliffs and is spread over the crystal clear surface of the lake. It is located at the bottom of the Sušice River Canyon, which is otherwise a sinkhole. Lake Sušica is periodic, forming in winter and spring when the snow melts, and the river Sušica fills it. During the summer without precipitation, this lake and Sušica know how to dry up, so a wide, green, flowery meadow spreads out at its bottom. Interestingly, green meadow changes shades of color depending on how the wind blows and how it turns the grass.
Srable Lake settled at the foot of Sedlen Greda Peak. It is a small lake, only a meter and a half deep, 45 meters long, and 25 meters wide. The lake is surrounded by high rocks, and people like to visit it and swim in it. Most of them think that they have medicinal properties and cure skin diseases. The Barno Lake is believed to have healing properties. It can be stepped on because it is only a meter deep. It is located near Black Lake, in the middle of a wide, bright green meadow, surrounded by coniferous forest.
One of the most interesting legends in the north of Montenegro is the story of the Devil's Lake, which is located near the village of Novakovići. Once upon a time, there lived in it a red-winged horse with fire coming out of its nostrils. Every night he came out of the lake, impregnated the mares, which grazed around, and then beat them so they would not give birth to his foal. One mare ran away from him and gave birth to Jabučil, who was later sung in folk epic songs as the famous winged horse of Duke Momčil. It got its name from another legend, which says that after a big fire on the Lake Plateau, a devil and a devil settled in this lake and built a castle of ice crystals in it. When a boy or girl would swim in it, he would capture them and drag them to the bottom of the lake to his castle.
Not far from it, in the same meadow environment, is Riblje Lake, rich in trout. An old story says that Italian soldiers once caught two fish in it, the length of the road leading to the lake.
Apart from these, the beauty of Durmitor is enhanced by Valovito, Pošćensko, Zminičko, Modro, Zabojsko, Veliko and Malo Škrčko lake, Green whirlpool, Ševarita swamp, Suva swamp, and Jablan Lake, next to which tall apple trees rise to the heavens. All these Durmitor lakes are rich in fish, which are not their original habitats, but are all stocked with brown and rainbow trout.
Rocky Ridge Of Durmitora - "Soa Of Heaven"
The three peaks of Durmitor, Bobot's Hip at 2,523 meters, Bezimeni Peak at 2,487 meters, and Đevojka at 2,440 meters, crowded together, form the highest rocky ridge of this mountain, which the Montenegrins called - "Soa Nebeska". That name could be interpreted as "supporter of heaven". Soa Nebeska rises on one side above Škrčka Valley and Škrčka Lake, and on the other side, above the rocky massif, Valoviti does.
Bobot's Kuk Durmitor
Bobot's Kuk got its name from the Bobota tribe, whose cottage was below it, where they drove their cattle out to graze in the summer. The mountain peak was named after them as it was informally their area. However, local residents say that once that peak was called Ćiro's cave, after a certain Ćira Stijepović from Žabljak. He hunted chamois on Durmitor, and then he made a check under that peak in a small cave. The legend, which is not lacking in this region, says that the mountain fairy, the protector of Chamois, did not like his hunting, so she decided to punish him. When Ćiro came to hunt with his son, the fairy created a fog around the peaks of Durmitor, and in that whiteness, he thought he saw a chamois on the rock, so he shot and unfortunately killed his son.
As the highest elevation in Montenegro, Bobot's Kuk is an inspiration for conquering many mountaineers from the region and all over Europe. Many European languages can be heard on its top. When it's a clear day, Bobot's Kuk offers a view of all the surrounding monstrosities and the Adriatic Sea, the greenery of Zelengora in Bosnia, and even Rudnik and Kopaonik in Serbia.
Nameless peak Durmitor
Nameless Peak is the second-highest peak of Durmitor at 2,487 meters above sea level. Many people vividly consider him to be Bobot's somewhat lower "brother". Although Montenegrins are inclined to give original and unusual names, something has obviously stuck with the nameless peak. There was no way they could find a suitable name for him, and since he was nameless for years, he remained nameless peak.
Đevojka Soa (Girl Soa)
When Bobotov Kuk already has a brother, the original Montenegrins found him a girlfriend. It is the third and lowest peak of this celestial body. That's how they called him Đevojka (Girl) and added the name Soa. This peak is 2,440 meters high and is the fifth highest peak on Durmitor.
Prutash
A special attraction on Mount Durmitor is the view of Prutaš Peak. It got its name from the carved vertical lines on its vertical slopes resembling reeds. It has a striking and unusual appearance, a real artistic miracle of nature. It is 2,393 meters high, and the legend of Todor, Ružica, and fairies is passed down from generation to generation. Legend has it that there was a handsome, tall, and strong guy Todor on Durmitor, who loved young Ružica, and she loved him. The mountain fairies were envious of the girl, so one day, they invited Todor to come to their place in the mountain to watch them play the fairy round, but not to carry any weapons with him. Todor came, but he forgot to leave the knife at home, which was always with him when he looked after the cattle. When the fairies saw this, they lifted him up to the clouds and threw him down the cliffs of Durmitor. In the fall, Todor broke off a part of the mountain with his chest, which today is called Gruda and is located not far from Prutaš. The girl Ružica went to the mountain, which today bears her name, out of sadness. And the angry shepherds decided to take revenge on the fairies, so they put long sticks against the mountain and tied their hair with the fairies while they slept. When they woke up, they pulled out all their hair, and since then, no one has seen them on the mountain. Legend has it that the yellow grass all over Durmitor is actually their loose hair. And the rods were left resting on the mountain and became petrified over time, so the mountain got the name Prutaš after them.
Savin Kuk
Savin Kuk (2,313m) is one of the most visited and famous peaks of Durmitor. Ski slopes descend from its slopes, and a cable car runs almost to the top. It is famous because this peak is reflected in the Black Lake, creating a beautiful picture, so all visitors to the area want to take a picture of that unusual sight. It was named after Saint Sava, who is said to have visited Mount Durmitor. About a hundred meters below the top of Savina Кuk, Savina water springs up, which is believed to be healing, to help the visually impaired and to ward off negative forces, so many people pour it into bottles for Midsummer's Day and store it in the house until the following year. And she was named after Saint Sava. According to the legend, one of his students was thirsty, so Saint Sava drew a cross on the ground with a stick, and a spring of water appeared next to the stone.
Tara Canyon
With 146 kilometers, Tara is the longest river in Montenegro. Two-thirds of it is exclusively a Montenegrin river, but the last 40 kilometers are international because it also flows through the Republika Srpska, thus forming a natural border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In one section of its route of some 78 kilometers, it carved its rather deep canyon through the mountain ranges. Its average depth is about 1,000 meters, and in part near Obzir, the wooded cliffs rise above the water as much as 1,300 meters. It is considered to be the deepest canyon in Europe, the second largest in the world after Colorado in the USA. The largest part of the Tara River is part of the Durmitor National Park. It is also under UNESCO protection. It is also picturesquely called the "tear of Europe" because it is as clear and clean as a tear, and its water is drinkable throughout.
The Tara Canyon captivates with its untouched nature and turquoise water that meanders between the green cliffs. There are 69 rapids and 40 waterfalls on the Tara River. The largest number of rapids was formed in its last section from Brštanovica to Šćepan polje, which is also the most attractive for rafting. The cliffs of the Tara Canyon are overgrown with black pine, oak, and ash. Passing and hiking through a pine forest are considered healing because it is an opportunity to breathe in the aromatic scents and essential oils these trees release into the air. The Tara River is also rich in fish, primarily trout, grayling, barbel, bream, and bream. Fly fishing is very popular, but it is not easy to catch fish in that clear water.
Nevidio Canyon
Nevidio Canyon is part of the Komarnica River on the south side of Durmitor. It is 3.8 kilometers long and is considered one of Europe's most impassable canyons. Komarnica is normally a sinkhole river in the beginning, but later it flows through the valley of the same name, and then near the village of Pošćanja, it disappears from sight, entering the rocks, where the Nevidio canyon begins. That's exactly why he got the name Nevidio. Locals even call it "God Unseen", alluding to the fact that even God did not see it inside.
In its widest part, the canyon is 5 meters wide, but on the other hand, it is full of straits and parts where it is only a meter or half a meter wide. Its depth is about 450 meters. Certain parts of it are in complete shade and shadow because the sun never penetrates the bottom due to the high and vertical rocks. The canyon is full of rapids, small pools, waterfalls, and cascades, and its water is extremely cold and transparent. It is completely hidden and inaccessible, but its nature has remained wild and preserved.
Today Nevidio canyoning is extremely popular but requires good fitness and strength. Mountaineers from Nikšić were the first to pass through it in 1965. However, it has only experienced a large population in recent years and has become an attraction for everyone who wants to trample over that pristine nature. In it, you can walk, dive, swim, and jump from a height of several meters into small pools downstream, but there is no going back. It's just impossible to go back. Once you enter, you must only go forward if you intend to exit. That's why you don't enter the Nevidio Canyon without a guide and full equipment, including a wetsuit, helmet, safety vest, and climbing ropes. The canyoning season starts when the Komarnica water level drops, which is usually from July to September.
Camp "Highlander" organizes trips to the Nevidio Canyon every summer, and you can see the details of this program at this link.
Adventures On Durmitor
Durmitor is not a mountain where you should lie down and do nothing. There are so many interesting places, peaks, lakes, paths, and activities that draw you to visit them that it is impossible to stay in one place. From rafting on Tara, descending on a zip line near the bridge on Đurđevića Tara, hiking and conquering Durmitor hills, jeep safaris, canyoning on Nevidia, riding quad bikes, to riding tame horses, these are all adventures and extraordinary memories that can be taken away from this mountain. Very often, you need to make a good plan to try out as many attractions as possible and visit as many areas as possible.
Hiking on Durmitor
Durmitor is perhaps one of the most popular mountains for hiking. Its peaks are so attractive that there is a big doubt about which one to climb first. Each offers a wonderful view, and it is difficult to choose in which order they will be conquered. There are more than 500 kilometers of marked trails throughout the entire mountain, and each peak can be climbed from several sides. There is a march route for everyone, including those who are more serious about hiking and beginners. The ascent to Bobotov Kuk is certainly considered the most difficult, and the ascents to the sharp peaks over the rock formations are also quite demanding. However, many easier trails will allow you to enjoy nature without sweating too much. Durmitor attracts mountaineers from all over the world, and as you move along its slopes, you will often hear different languages.
Jeep Safari
If you are not in good condition for walking tours in Durmitor, or fear that you will not be able to withstand its climbs, then a jeep safari trip is an excellent choice. It includes a tour of the "Durmitor ring": it starts from the village of Trsa, through Sedlo, Žabljak, Nedajni, and back to Trsa, but mostly on wheels. It is a route that will allow you to enjoy the beauty of Durmitor and views of its heavenly, rocky peaks, but it also rests at wonderful viewpoints such as Ćurevac. Along the way, you will also visit authentic mountain villages. Reaching some more inaccessible areas with off-road vehicles, even some lakes, is possible. Touring the "Durmitor ring" is a drive of about 80 kilometers around its high peaks. For more details and the program, see the Highlander offer.
Rafting on Tara River
Rafting in Tara Canyon is one of the most exciting adventures in nature. It has been extremely popular for the last two decades because it represents an active vacation full of adrenaline, excitement, and good company when descending down the slopes of Tara. Descent in rubber boats, entering the rapids, and passing through the untouched forest on the banks of the river are experiences that will not be forgotten. The most popular section for rafting is from Brštanovica to Šćepan polje because there are the most rapids and attractive beech trees in that part. Many decide on a route that is twice as long as Radovan Luka but also along the entire course of the Tara. During the rafting, the entire Tara Canyon echoes with screams, laughter, and noise from dozens of boats managed by wild water guides (skippers) with a license for safe rafting. For more details and the program, see the Highlander offer.
Find out more about natural attractions in our recent posts:
