I’m sure we all once dreamed about seeing the incredible natural landscapes of the Alps. Those mountain tops covered with snowy caps, perched above perfectly turquoise glacial lakes that almost don’t feel real. It’s almost hard to believe places like that really exist, and you just must see it to truly convince yourself that it’s not something from a movie screen. But, what if I told you, you can find dreamscapes like this right in the Balkans? And that you need to add it to your bucket list!
By Nikolina
Believe it or not, these exact scenes can be found in Montenegro, a small European country with plenty to offer those who visit!
When I first moved to Dubrovnik 6 years ago (which is really close to the Montenegrian border) I couldn’t have imagined how many incredible places in the neighboring countries I would go on to discover. Croatia is my home country, and was fully aware of all the beauty it has to offer (even though I still often feel like a tourist with every new road trip), but I had no idea what is hidden on the other side of the border.
I still remember my first visit to Montenegro 5 years ago – Kotor town was my very first love in this often underappreciated country. But then, just out of pure curiosity last winter, I found my new love – Durmitor National Park. It was the most amazing winter wonderland weekend I had in such a long time. While it was extremely hard to navigate in such a deep snow, I promised myself I would revisit later on in the year. And I did! In early summer, I came back to the same place, and I couldn’t believe the scenes I witnessed. Exploring Durmitor National Park has to find its place on your bucket list at least once in a lifetime (or a couple of times in a short period of time, like in my case).
The first thing you should know, Durmitor National Park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its impressive mountain peaks, glacial lakes, dense forests, and dramatic canyons, Durmitor showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Balkan area.
There is plenty of places to visit and things to do in Durmitor, so you can easily immerse yourself in its beauty for a whole week and just enjoy exploring around at a slower pace. I went back as a part of my road trip to Montenegro adventures for 3 days in this area and I can openly say it was barely enough for me. But, whether you decide to spend your whole vacation here, or just pass by, here are the things you simply can’t miss.
Durmitor Ring Panorama Road
The best, and probably the easiest way to experience the beauty of Durmitor if you’re limited with time, is by doing a circular road route called Durmitor Ring. This 80-kilometer route passes by incredible mountain peaks and goes even over 2000 meters at some points. Some parts of it are truly magnificent, and will for sure leave you speechless with its powerful mountain views, authentic villages, deep river canyons, and beautiful lakes. If you’re a nature enthusiast like myself, this will be an unforgettable ride for you!
We reserved one whole day for this experience, and really took some time to soak it all up. The ride was a bit rough at some moments, as there was still snow on some parts (it was the end of May), and in one moment we found ourselves rolling big snowballs off the road to be able to pass – talk about adventure!
Further along, there are quite a few viewpoints on the route, as the landscapes change constantly, and there is something new to see all the time. Be sure to stop by to see the deepest river canyon in Europe – Tara Canyon, have a picnic by Sušica Lake (which mostly disappears in the summer), and admire those idyllic landscapes to the fullest.
Glacial Lakes
The biggest highlight of visiting Durmitor National Park, without a doubt, will be exploring glacial lakes. This was one of the reasons I decided to explore this particular area in the first place!
Did you know that there are actually 18 glacial lakes on Durmitor? Exploring around the green hills and pastures and dense pine forests was an incredible experience! I got to see six of them, and each felt more surreal than the other. It was during these momentsI was asking myself am I wandering in the Swiss Alps? I just couldn’t believe this was right at my doorstep for years without even being aware of it.
These are the lakes that are my personal favorites, and will probably leave you in awe:
Black Lake
Of all the glacial lakes, Black Lake is by far the most visited, and the most beautiful of all. Hidden right under a mountain peak, it’s an extraordinary place to find refreshment during hot summer days. Just imagine swimming with the views like that!
Devil’s Lake
Of all the lakes I got to visit during our stay in Durmitor, Devil’s Lake was the one that impressed me the most! The lake is settled in the middle of a flat valley, surrounded by incredible mountain peaks that are often still at least partially covered with snow, and because of its vibrant shades of blue on a sunny day, it looks like the blue eye in the middle of Durmitor. Surreal!
Zminje Lake
Not far from the Black Lake, lies one more hidden gem. This is a small glacial lake surrounded by beautiful dense forest and incredible silence. I was impressed by how calming this place was even though it’s just a couple of kilometers from the town of Žabljak.
Tara River Canyon and Bridge
Besides incredible mountain peaks and surreal glacial lakes, there is one more impressive spot you have to add to this bucket list. On the Northern parts of National Park Durmitor, there is a gem, often referred to as “the tear of Europe” because of its magical color – river Tara.
Did you know that canyon of Tara River is the deepest one in Europe? And this is the reason why it’s a perfect place for everyone looking for some adventure activities!
Only 20 kilometers from the town of Žabljak you will find the popular spot for zip lining – the famous Tara Bridge. From this 172 meters tall bridge, you’ll be able to see magnificent views of the river canyon, and maybe have a try at ziplining, canyoning, or rafting.
Durmitor National Park is a place where you will find adventure and tranquility at the same time. Depending on your preferences, Durmitor has something for everyone! It’s truly a place you must tick off your bucket list. You won’t be disappointed!
Connect with Nikolina on Instagram @travelingdreamscapes or on her website travelingdreamscapes.com.
Get the magazine!
Enjoy this and other inspiring stories in “Rebirth”.
August 2023 | Life Lovers Magazine.
Travel stories to empower women 