What is the highest peak of Montenegro?

A seemingly simple question, right? In the case of Montenegro, it is not,  because different sources give different information about which peak is the highest, and the dilemma has not been resolved for years.

According to the Administration for Cadastre and Property, the two peaks are undeniably the highest because they have the same height. These are Bobotov Kuk on Mount Durmitor (2522 meters) and Maja Rozit on Prokletije (2522 meters). This information is stated in the Yearbook of Monstat, the state agency for statistical data of Montenegro.

Bobotov Kuk, Durmitor, Montenegro – Photo: Goran Smith

However, in Prokletije, on the border of Montenegro and Albania, there are two peaks that are higher than those listed. These are Zla Kolata with a height of 2,534 meters, and Dobra Kolata with a height of 2,528 meters.

Dobra Kolata, Prokletije, Montenegro – Photo: Pavouk

So how is it possible that two higher mountain peaks are not listed as the highest in official state statistics? In fact, they are not listed as if they don’t exist at all.

The only logical explanation for this interesting case was given by the Mountaineering Association of Montenegro, which explained that the highest peak in the country is considered to be the one that is entirely within the territory of that country.

Zla Kolata is unofficially declared the highest peak, however, according to international standards and rules used in mountaineering, the highest peak is considered to be the one whose entire surface is located on the territory of one country, which is not the case with Zla and Dobra Kolata because their slopes are partly in neighboring Albania.

It seems to me that the dilemma still exists!