The Five National Parks
Five National Parks of Montenegro
There are five spectacular national parks in Montenegro. All these parks have natural wonders, from their sweeping green valleys and their dramatic geographical landforms to deep canyons and beautiful lakes. They all have something incredible and each have something dramatically different to offer.
Durmitor and Prokletije offering extraordinary mountain scenery and magnificent lakes, Lovćen has wonderful mountain views whilst overlooking the coastal fjords of Kotor, glorious Lake Skadar is the largest lake in southern Europe and Biogradska Gora has an incredible ancient forest with wondrous lakes and beautiful landscapes.
There are five spectacular national parks in Montenegro. All these parks have natural wonders, from their sweeping green valleys and their dramatic geographical landforms to deep canyons and beautiful lakes. They all have something incredible and each have something dramatically different to offer.
Durmitor and Prokletije offering extraordinary mountain scenery and magnificent lakes, Lovćen has wonderful mountain views whilst overlooking the coastal fjords of Kotor, glorious Lake Skadar is the largest lake in southern Europe and Biogradska Gora has an incredible ancient forest with wondrous lakes and beautiful landscapes.
Biogradska Gora
This national park covers in area 54km² in area. The woods of Biogradska Gora are simply a phenomenon, situated on slopes with as much as a 100m vertical rise.
The greatest natural wonder of this park is the rainforest Biogradska Gora, which covers the whole 16km² area and is one of the last primeval forests in Europe.
This forest consists of spruce, beech and fir trees, with most of the trees being more than 500 years old and 60m high. It has been under strict preservation control since 1878.
The park has 26 plant communities with around 2000 species and subspecies. Out of over 150 bird species the most particularly interesting are the golden and grey eagles.
Red and roe deer, brown bear, chamois, otter, large grouse, wild boar, fox and rabbit are among the 37 species of mammals. There are over 350 different insect species that have found their habitat within this park.
At the altitude of 1094m, in the heart of the rainforest there is the beautiful serene Biogradsko Lake, the biggest and best known glacial lake in this national park.
This national park covers in area 54km² in area. The woods of Biogradska Gora are simply a phenomenon, situated on slopes with as much as a 100m vertical rise.
The greatest natural wonder of this park is the rainforest Biogradska Gora, which covers the whole 16km² area and is one of the last primeval forests in Europe.
This forest consists of spruce, beech and fir trees, with most of the trees being more than 500 years old and 60m high. It has been under strict preservation control since 1878.
The park has 26 plant communities with around 2000 species and subspecies. Out of over 150 bird species the most particularly interesting are the golden and grey eagles.
Red and roe deer, brown bear, chamois, otter, large grouse, wild boar, fox and rabbit are among the 37 species of mammals. There are over 350 different insect species that have found their habitat within this park.
At the altitude of 1094m, in the heart of the rainforest there is the beautiful serene Biogradsko Lake, the biggest and best known glacial lake in this national park.
Durmitor National Park
Durmitor is one of the great natural treasures of the world and the most famous of Montenegro's national parks. It was designated as a park in 1952.
It includes 48 limestone mountain peaks 2000 metres tall including Durmitor, 13 glacial cirques, 18 glacial lakes with the most famous called Crno Jezero meaning Black Lake.
There are three huge river canyons (Tara, Susica and Draga) with the highest part of the canyon plateau being Komarnica.
The Tara River Canyon is 80km long, 1300 deep and is the second largest canyon in the world after Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. You can also visit the Park Piva area and go rafting, hiking, cycling, kayaking and go on the zip line.
The whole area was put on the World Heritage List in 1980 because of the beautiful landscapes and unique nature.
During the winter on Durmitor there is skiing and snowboarding while in the summer there is mountaineering and rafting down Tara River.
In World War II in 1943 the Germans and Italians unsuccessfully pursued Tito's Partisans over Durmitor in the Battle of Sutjeska.
Durmitor is one of the great natural treasures of the world and the most famous of Montenegro's national parks. It was designated as a park in 1952.
It includes 48 limestone mountain peaks 2000 metres tall including Durmitor, 13 glacial cirques, 18 glacial lakes with the most famous called Crno Jezero meaning Black Lake.
There are three huge river canyons (Tara, Susica and Draga) with the highest part of the canyon plateau being Komarnica.
The Tara River Canyon is 80km long, 1300 deep and is the second largest canyon in the world after Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. You can also visit the Park Piva area and go rafting, hiking, cycling, kayaking and go on the zip line.
The whole area was put on the World Heritage List in 1980 because of the beautiful landscapes and unique nature.
During the winter on Durmitor there is skiing and snowboarding while in the summer there is mountaineering and rafting down Tara River.
In World War II in 1943 the Germans and Italians unsuccessfully pursued Tito's Partisans over Durmitor in the Battle of Sutjeska.
Lake Skadar National Park
Lake Skadar (also known as Lake Scutari) is an enormous lake and one of Montenegro's national treasures.
The lake is shared by Montenegro and Albania as their borders both go through the lake, with 2/3 being in Montenegro; it is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. The surface is 6m above sea level and 41km long.
All the areas around Lake Skadar were declared a National Park in 1983. It has one of the largest bird reserves in Europe consisting of 270 bird species, among them are some of the largest pelicans in Europe. It has an abundance of fish, especially carp, bleak, and eel.
It has underground springs and a beach called Murici Beach. This wetland became a Ramsar site in 1995 as it is of international importance.
Lake Skadar (also known as Lake Scutari) is an enormous lake and one of Montenegro's national treasures.
The lake is shared by Montenegro and Albania as their borders both go through the lake, with 2/3 being in Montenegro; it is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. The surface is 6m above sea level and 41km long.
All the areas around Lake Skadar were declared a National Park in 1983. It has one of the largest bird reserves in Europe consisting of 270 bird species, among them are some of the largest pelicans in Europe. It has an abundance of fish, especially carp, bleak, and eel.
It has underground springs and a beach called Murici Beach. This wetland became a Ramsar site in 1995 as it is of international importance.
Lovćen National Park
Mount Lovćen encompasses the central and the highest part of Lovćen mountain massif and covers an area of 62.20km². It was proclaimed a national park in 1952 and has impressive hiking trails to explore.
Besides Lovćen's natural beauty, this national park was established to protect the rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the area.
The buildings built within Lovćen national Park are constructed with traditional national architectural elements. The old buildings built in the village of Guvna are authentic along with the cottages in Katuna, which were built as summer settlements for the cattle breeders.
Mausoleum of Njegoš is located in the national park and is the resting place of the most famous Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, who is buried there in a 28 ton tomb. The mausoleum sits right at the top of mountain Lovćen in a place that has the most beautiful views.
Mount Lovćen encompasses the central and the highest part of Lovćen mountain massif and covers an area of 62.20km². It was proclaimed a national park in 1952 and has impressive hiking trails to explore.
Besides Lovćen's natural beauty, this national park was established to protect the rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the area.
The buildings built within Lovćen national Park are constructed with traditional national architectural elements. The old buildings built in the village of Guvna are authentic along with the cottages in Katuna, which were built as summer settlements for the cattle breeders.
Mausoleum of Njegoš is located in the national park and is the resting place of the most famous Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, who is buried there in a 28 ton tomb. The mausoleum sits right at the top of mountain Lovćen in a place that has the most beautiful views.
Prokletije National Park
This is the youngest national park in Montenegro as it was established in 2009. The Prokletije Mountains are a vast expanse of wilderness, forming a border with Albania and Kosovo, in the most southerly part of the Dinaric Alps. It has numerous peaks, gorges, steep slopes, alp-like river valleys and many other natural phenomena.
The vegetation of Prokletije is among the richest on the Balkan Peninsula and one of the main central European regions for flora. Around 1611 wild plants have been described, 50 flora species are endemic, sub-endemic and endangered. It is a habitat for several endemic species and brown bears, wolves, lynx, wild boar, chamois, deer and rabbit can be seen.
Prokletije has become a favourite destination with nature lovers, particularly for hikers and climbers because of its wilderness, inaccessibility and beauty. The most popular starting point are the two wide valleys Grebaja and Ropojana that are surrounded by glorious mountain peaks.
A walk through Grebaje Valley is a very pleasurable experience, which consists of a walk through four large meadows (2km long), surrounded by rocky mountains with snow covered peaks. With the sunshine on you, while a soft breeze blows and all the time aware of the lovely smells around you.
The most popular mountaineering trails are Vousnica peak (1879m elevation), Talijanka peak (2056m elevation) and Popadija peak with (2057m elevation), which will leave you breathless at the same time as giving you the most beautiful views of the whole park.
Prokletije has many large and small streams with accessability to drink mineral water from the rivers and underground aquifers. Among its many lakes Hrid Lake (Hridsko Lake) is considered to be the most beautiful, which is located at an altitude of 1970m. Lake Plav is another beautiful lake, situated in the foothill of Prokletije massif. It is the biggest lake in the park and Montenegro's biggest glacial lake at 2km long and 1km wide.
This is the youngest national park in Montenegro as it was established in 2009. The Prokletije Mountains are a vast expanse of wilderness, forming a border with Albania and Kosovo, in the most southerly part of the Dinaric Alps. It has numerous peaks, gorges, steep slopes, alp-like river valleys and many other natural phenomena.
The vegetation of Prokletije is among the richest on the Balkan Peninsula and one of the main central European regions for flora. Around 1611 wild plants have been described, 50 flora species are endemic, sub-endemic and endangered. It is a habitat for several endemic species and brown bears, wolves, lynx, wild boar, chamois, deer and rabbit can be seen.
Prokletije has become a favourite destination with nature lovers, particularly for hikers and climbers because of its wilderness, inaccessibility and beauty. The most popular starting point are the two wide valleys Grebaja and Ropojana that are surrounded by glorious mountain peaks.
A walk through Grebaje Valley is a very pleasurable experience, which consists of a walk through four large meadows (2km long), surrounded by rocky mountains with snow covered peaks. With the sunshine on you, while a soft breeze blows and all the time aware of the lovely smells around you.
The most popular mountaineering trails are Vousnica peak (1879m elevation), Talijanka peak (2056m elevation) and Popadija peak with (2057m elevation), which will leave you breathless at the same time as giving you the most beautiful views of the whole park.
Prokletije has many large and small streams with accessability to drink mineral water from the rivers and underground aquifers. Among its many lakes Hrid Lake (Hridsko Lake) is considered to be the most beautiful, which is located at an altitude of 1970m. Lake Plav is another beautiful lake, situated in the foothill of Prokletije massif. It is the biggest lake in the park and Montenegro's biggest glacial lake at 2km long and 1km wide.
