Žabljak: Lakes, Trails and Cultural Heritage

A trip to Žabljak can be shaped around a range of interests: lakes and waterways, outdoor trails, and cultural sites and events each offer a different focus. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether nature, activity or cultural heritage will guide your travel plans.

Lakes and waterways

Black Lake lies 3 km southwest of Žabljak at an elevation of 1,418 m. It is the largest lake in Durmitor National Park, the second-largest mountain lake in Montenegro, and is protected by UNESCO. The national park contains 18 glacial lakes in total; Black Lake is the largest and best known. A rare bifurcation sets it apart hydrologically: its water flows underground into the Tara and Piva rivers.

Vražje Lake is also part of Durmitor National Park and lies within the municipality of Žabljak. It is a glacial lake with crystal-clear water. Zminje Lake is in the Pitomine area, also within the municipality. It is connected to Veliko Crno jezero, which lies 100 m lower, by the 2.6 km-long Mlinsko stream. The three lakes therefore differ not only in their locations but also in the landscape and water features described for each.

Trails and activities

Black Lake is the starting point for several marked hiking and walking trails. A constructed footpath leads from there to Zminje Lake. This gives you both a choice of marked trails starting from Black Lake and a specific connection to another lake to plan around. Access to Jablan Lake is different: a road leads to the Momčilov grad restaurant, followed by a gently uphill footpath through a pine forest. This trail is suitable for people seeking relaxation and families with children.

The Savin kuk ski area is nearby, 6 km from the centre of Žabljak. It offers alpine, Nordic and touring skiing, as well as snowshoeing in Durmitor National Park. A marked cross-country ski trail runs near the sports centre in Žabljak on a loop through a landscaped forest belt back to the town, ending at the health centre. The Durmitor Ring scenic road is signposted in both directions.

Culture and events

UNESCO-protected medieval tombstones, known as stećci, are located near Riblje Lake in the village of Novakovići. Žabljak’s registered religious heritage also includes single-nave stone churches with bell towers on their façades. They date to the first half and the end of the 19th century, respectively. The Wild Beauty Art Festival is a multidisciplinary arts event held every summer in Žabljak. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the event dates for your travel period.

Žabljak in Montenegro’s wider landscape

Durmitor is a limestone massif in northern Montenegro. Around fifty peaks over 2,000 m rise within Durmitor National Park. The glacial lakes of Durmitor are also known locally as the “Eyes of the Mountains.” This broader context complements the local focus on lakes and trails with a wider view of Montenegro’s landscape.

You can first decide which themes matter most for your stay before comparing hotels suited to your destination.

Discover more destinations: Žabljak, Njegovuđa, Polje, Motički Gaj, Uskoci, Zminica, Šavnik, Berane.

Go to the main travel overview: Montenegro.