Facts you probably didn’t know about Durmitor!

Durmitor, located in the northern part of Montenegro, is one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders of the Adria region. Although it is known for its dramatic mountain peaks, deep canyons, and crystal clear lakes, this mountain range and national park hides many secrets that might surprise you.

Regardless of whether you plan to visit it or simply get to know this wonder better, get ready to discover new and fascinating facts about Durmitor that you certainly didn’t know!

Durmitor, Photo: Nick Savchenko, CC BY-SA 2.0

Positioned for the most part through the municipality of Žabljak, and partially through the municipalities of Pljevlja and Mojkovac, Durmitor is a mountain range that stretches over 390 square kilometers. It has the status of a national park, the largest in Montenegro, and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It got its name from the Celtic words that mean “mountain full of water,” which is well justified because it hides not one, but 18 glacial lakes in its embrace. The Black Lake, the most popular among visitors, is world-renowned for its beauty.

Black Lake, Photo: Jshnay, CC BY-SA 4.0

The mountain eyes of Durmitor also include Zmijsko  lake, Volovito lake, Modro lake, Zminičko lake, Suha klova, Zeleni vrtlog, Sušica lake, Barno lake, Zabojsko lake, Srable lake, Jablan lake, Vražje lake, Ševarita lokva, Big Škrko lake, Small Škrčko lake, Riblje lake and Pošćensko lake.

In addition to the lake, there are also numerous waterfalls hidden in the canyons, and one of them stands out in particular – the Skakala waterfall. It is considered the source of the river Sušica, which then fills Lake Sušica. It got its name from the fact that in the summer months the flow of water decreases, so the river dries up together with the lake.

In addition to the Sučica River and canyon, within the Durmitor National Park there is also the largest canyon in Montenegro, that of the Tara River, a wonderful turquoise princess, which, apart from its beauty, attracts many adventurers who enjoy rafting.

The rafting season lasts from April to October, and it is most exciting during the spring snowmelt period when the rapids are the craziest and fastest. The Tara river canyon is 80 kilometers long.

Among the canyons, there are also the Nevidio Canyon, the hidden beauty of the Komarnica River, the Draga River Canyon, and the Piva River Canyon.

Piva canyon, Photo: Adria.fun

In its embrace, Durmitor also hides many caves, the most famous of which is the Ice Cave. It is located at 2160 meters above sea level, and winter never ends there. So in the Ice Cave you will find frozen stalactites and stalagmites all year round. The hall is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide.

Ice cave, Durmitor, Photo: JYB Devot, CC BY-SA 4.0

In addition to natural beauty, Durmitor is also a paradise for flora and fauna. The richness consists of over 1,300 species of vascular plants, over 160 species of birds, and various wild animals such as wild boar, chamois, brown bear, and many others.

Paradise consists of diverse rock formations and sediments from the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleogene, and due to its minimal light pollution, it is also a great place for observing the night sky.

There is, of course, its highest peak, Bobotov Kuk, which reaches an altitude of 2,523 meters, and another 48 peaks over 2,000 meters.

Bobotov Kuk, Durmitor, Montenegro, Photo: Goran Smith

In addition to rafting, Durmitor also offers a number of opportunities for hiking, both for “peakers” and forest lovers, so at every step you will find a new path that you still have to discover. It is also a great paradise for photographers, camping enthusiasts, and various adventurers.

Durmitor, Photo: oranges and lemons, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED

There is no better way to experience its beauty than to visit it yourself. Pack your things, get ready for adventure, and go exploring.