NATIONAL PARK DURMITOR

Durmitor is a stunning limestone massif located in Northern Montenegro and belonging to the Dinarides.

savin kuk zabljak

It is also the name of Montenegro’s largest protected area, the Durmitor National Park, which constitutes the heart of a landscape shaped by glaciers, lakes, numerous rivers and underground streams of which are embedded in the much larger Tara River Basin Biosphere Reserve.

durmitor national park

Founded in 1952 with a smaller surface area “Durmitor” National Park has a long formal conservation history going back to 1907 when the Black Lake received protected status.

black lake durmitor

International recognition dates back to 1976 when the Tara River Basin became a biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and Durmitor was inscribed 1980 in the World Heritage property.

tara river canyon

The diverse mountain landscape encompasses altitudinal zones ranging from only 450 to more than 2,500 metres above sea level and a broad array of ecosystems and habitats.

durmitor plateau

Some fifty peaks higher than 2,000 metres above sea level including Bobotov Peak (2,525 metres above sea level) rise above plateaus, alpine meadows and forests cover the landscape.

peaks of durmitor

Particular impression is created by 18 glacial lakes, called “Mountain Eyes”, located at 1.500 meters above the sea level.

durmitor lakes

The biggest and the most beautiful is Black Lake, with stunning scenery, and a giant peak Medjed, above the lake, consists of two smaller lakes Big and Little Lake.

black lake and medjed peak

Those 2 lakes are connected by a narrow strait, that dries in summer time, creating 2 completely separate lakes.

black lake in durmitor national park

Of particular importance is an old-growth forest of European Black Pine, where 450 year-old specimens can reach heights above 50 metres.

black pine in durmitor national park

Even the underground offers stunning natural beauty in the form of numerous caves, most notably the “Ice Cave” with its impressive ice stalactites and stalagmites.

ice cave durmitor national park

The most dramatic elements of the spectacular mountain landscape are the deep river canyons, most notably the famous Tara River Gorge, Europe’s deepest gorge.

Tara River Gorge

The river Tara is perhaps one of the last oases of intact nature, characterized by its crystal clear water, which is why its is often called “The Tear of Europe”.

tara river

Tara is the largest European reservoir of drinking water. On the territory of the Durmitor National Park, the Tara River has its average fall of 3.6m/km, and it makes waterfalls, rapids and cascades which give a great compliment to the untouched nature of the Park.

river tara

The most famous bridge that crosses Tara is the Djurdevica Tara Bridge. It was built between 1937 and 1940 and designed by Mijat Trojanovic, who also oversaw the construction.

Tara river - Djurdjevica Tara Bridge

When it was finished, it was the biggest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe. The bridge is 365 m long, and has five arches, the biggest having span of 116 m. The distance between the road and the river is 172 meter.

Durmitor is a popular tourism destination, known for superb hiking, climbing, mountaineering, rafting and canoeing opportunities.

tara rafting houseboats

Biking, walking, swimming, skiing, bungee jumping, horse riding… are only part of the activities in which you can also enjoy in Durmitor.

horse ridine durmitor mountain

Domestic food and specialties are also part of offer in which you will enjoy the fresh evenings. The Durmitor area is known for its abundance of forest fruit and healing herbs, therefore extraordinary teas and fruit juices can be found at each table.

domestic food durmitor region

Center of the park is Zabljak, small town at the bottom of the southeastern part of Durmitor.

zabljak

This settlement, which is located at the highest altitude of the Balkan Peninsula (around 1.450m) is the biggest winter center in Montenegro.

zabljak montenegro

Here, snow remains up to six months, and the height of the snow cover sometimes exceeds two meters.

durmitor in winter

Zabljak is very small town, so everything is within walking distance. You can get to some of the lakes around the town only by foot – it’s untouched nature!

zabljak center of national park durmitor

Whether you get your kicks from peak-bagging, rafting, or just lazing around beside glassy mountain lakes, if you like the outdoors you’ll love Durmitor.

hiking montenegro

 

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