Meet the mountain eyes of Durmitor! These lakes make it special!

The Durmitor massif, located in the north of Montenegro, is a real miracle of nature. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage, this area delights visitors with its untouched nature, rich flora and fauna, and stunning landscapes.

Among Durmitor’s many charms, special attention is drawn to its lakes, known as “mountain eyes.” They are located at heights above 1,500 meters and bear witness to this region’s thousands of years of geological history.

Black Lake, Montenegro, Photo: Miljan Mijatović, Unsplash

The special charm and beauty of the Durmitor massif is given by 18 glacial lakes, which are true natural wonders. The largest and most famous among them is Blake lake, a magnificent lake located only 2 kilometers from the mountain town of Žabljak, surrounded by a dense coniferous forest and magical peaks such as Međed, which further emphasize its beauty. Its surface, natural environment, and possibilities for walks and recreation make it an unmissable place for all visitors.

But in addition to the Black Lake, Durmitor can also boast of the following gems:

• Zminje Lake:
  Hidden deep in the forest, with characteristic green water, Zminje jezero is surrounded by a lush pine forest and is the perfect place to relax. It is located at 1285 meters above sea level and has a maximum depth of 3.8 meters.
• Barno Lake
  The lake is small in size, with banks overgrown with dense swamp vegetation, which gives it a special appearance. Its calm waters are surrounded by coniferous forests, making it a perfect place for bird watching and enjoying the silence of nature.
  According to popular belief, the water of this lake has healing properties, especially beneficial for skin diseases. Although the maximum depth of the lake is only one meter, its idyllic atmosphere and natural harmony attract many visitors. It is located at 1489 meters above sea level.

• Devil’s Lake:
  Devil’s Lake is located 1,400 meters above sea level and is filled with underground springs, snow, and precipitation, with a depth that varies from 4 to 11 meters. Its water changes color from turquoise to green to deep blue, creating stunning scenes in untouched nature. Legends and picturesque scenery make this lake an increasingly popular destination for tourists and nature lovers.

Devil’s lake, Photo: nadtochiy, Depositphotos

• Fish lake:
  Fish lake is located on the “Greek side” of Durmitor, at 1,409 meters above sea level, with a depth of 5.5 meters. It got its name because of the abundance of fish, especially large specimens of brown trout, and there is also a story about Italian carabinieri who caught two specimens of long trout.
• Modro Lake:
  Modro Lake is located at the foot of the peak of Durmitor called Sedlena greda, at an altitude of 1,609 meters above sea level, and its maximum depth reaches 3.3 meters. Because of its turquoise color, which changes shades depending on the light, the lake has a name that perfectly reflects its beauty. In addition to trout, wild ducks can often be seen in the lake.
• Pošćenska lakes:
  Pošćenska laked is located at an altitude of 1,487 meters above sea level, and its greatest depth reaches 3.6 meters. Formed in the glacial basins of the village of Pošćenje during glacial erosion, this lake attracted the attention of many geologists, as well as travel writers and scientists who were amazed by its beauty and picturesque panorama.

 

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• Zaboj Lake:
  Lake Zaboj got its name from the nearby village of Zaboj, which was often visited in the past, especially during the summer herding of cattle. Located at an altitude of 1,477 meters above sea level, the lake has a maximum depth of 18.8 meters.
• Ševarita lokva:
  In addition to permanent lakes, there are occasional lakes in this area that form during spring and autumn, after heavy rains. One of the most famous such lakes is Ševarita lokva, a hydrographic object near Devil’s and Fish lakes, which is very similar to them. Its maximum depth is only one meter, but it is also fascinating because of its periodic occurrence and characteristics.
• Wavy Lake:
  Wavy lake is located at an altitude of 1,695 meters above sea level, and its maximum depth is 3.5 meters. It is known for its unique beauty, and the surface of the lake creates the illusion of waves, which makes it visually fascinating for all visitors. Further, as you move towards the central parts of Durmitor, you reach the Škrka glacial valley, which is the deepest and most widespread glacial valley on the Balkan Peninsula.

Wavy lake, Photo: imke.sta CC BY-SA 2.0

• Big Škrčko Lake:
  Big Škrčko jezero is located at an altitude of 1,686 meters above sea level, and its greatest depth is 17.2 meters, which makes it one of the deepest lakes in Durmitor. The color of the water of this lake is a beautiful greenish, which changes depending on the light, and its water is extremely clear, with the highest transparency reaching an impressive 8.5 meters – which is the first among the lakes on Durmitor.
• Small Škrčko Lake:
  Small Škrčko jezero is located in the large Škrka glacial valley, next to Big Škrčko jezero, at an altitude of 1,711 meters above sea level. This calm and picturesque lake has an average depth of 5.9 meters and is surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, creating incredible views and unique natural beauty.
• Lake Sušice:
  At an altitude of 1,140 meters above sea level, lake Sušice is one of the periodic lakes of Durmitor, which means that its water level changes depending on the season. It usually has a depth of up to 5 meters.

Škrčko lake, Photo: Botond Depositphotos

• Jablan lake:
  Jablan lake (also known as “Little lake”) is located at 1,791 meters above sea level and although it is called “small” it is actually bigger and deeper (8.5 meters) than many other lakes on Durmitor.
• Srable Lake:
  Srable Lake is located not far from Modro Lake. It is one of the smallest lakes in Durmitor, with a maximum depth of only 1.5 meters.
• Suva lokva:
  The Suva lokva is located in Pošćenska valley, at an altitude of 1,594 meters, and it is only 1.8 kilometers away from Pošćensko lake. This lake reaches a maximum depth of one meter.

Jablan lake, Photo: Pierre Metivier CC BY-NC 2.0

• Zeleni vir:
  Zeleni vir is located in the central part of Durmitor, at an altitude of 2,028 meters above sea level. Located only 1 kilometer from the highest peak, Bobotov kuk, Zeleni vir fascinates visitors with its incredible beauty and tranquility. 50 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, this lake got its name from the specific green shade of the water that creates an unforgettable scene.
• Zminica Lake:
  Lake Zminice is located just a few minutes’ drive from the village of Njegovuđa in Žabljak, and it got its name from the town of Zminice, where this natural wonder is located. The lake is fed by waters that come from the spring melting of abundant snow from the surrounding mountains and is located in a bay surrounded by dense forests.

The Durmitor lakes are real natural wonders that are worth exploring. Visit this magical area, discover the beauty of each lake and enjoy unforgettable scenes of untouched nature.

Black Lake: Mountain eyes of Durmitor