Montenegro's mountains, from Prokletije to Orjen

Montenegro carries the mountains in its very name, and it makes sense the moment you head inland. There are massifs above 2,500 m in a country of 13,883 km², and the official figures can’t even agree on which peak is highest. Here’s what each source says, and which mountains I’d pick depending on what you’re after.

The highest point, depending on who measures

There’s a small muddle over figures here that I’d rather explain than hide. In MONSTAT’s list, which only includes summits over 1,800 m, Bobotov Kuk (Durmitor) and Maja Rozit (Prokletije) share first place, both on 2,522 m. But that table leaves out Zla Kolata, which the National Parks and the National Tourism Organisation give as the country’s highest at 2,534 m. And for Bobotov Kuk, the National Tourism Organisation says 2,523 m and UNESCO 2,525 m. I settle on ‘roughly 2,520 m’ for Bobotov Kuk and treat Zla Kolata as the top according to the National Parks. The ascent is covered in Bobotov Kuk.

Durmitor, the benchmark range

The best known and the easiest to organise. UNESCO counts around fifty summits over 2,000 m, and the park authority looks after about 150 km of paths, with lookouts such as Sedlena greda at 2,227 m. You base yourself in Žabljak, and the park is covered in Durmitor.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Žabljak before prices climb.

Prokletije, a border made of rock

The wildest of them. The National Tourism Organisation counts more than 20 summits above 2,500 m and describes it as a natural frontier with Albania and Kosovo. Of the park’s routes, the one I’d choose is the 10.2 km loop from Grbaja over Volušnica and Popadija, a long half day. Any route that leaves Montenegro away from an official crossing needs a request to the border police on the other side, plus a passport copy and two small fees. It’s all in Prokletije National Park.

Komovi and Bjelasica

Between the two giants, the Komovi have Kom Kučki at 2,487 m and Kom Vasojevićki at 2,460 m, according to MONSTAT, with a trail from Trešnjevik via the Vranjak shepherds’ hut listed by the Kolašin Tourism Organisation. Further north, Bjelasica wraps around Biogradska Gora, with viewpoints such as Crna glava at 2,139 m and Zekova glava at 2,117 m. The Komovi have their own page in the Komovi.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Žabljak and choose by the reviews.

Mountains above the sea

On the coast, the mountains drop almost into the water. Lovćen, topped by Štirovnik at 1,749 m, looms over Kotor and Cetinje. Orjen, 1,895 m according to MONSTAT, rises above Herceg Novi and has its own nature park, covered in Mount Orjen. And Rumija, above Bar, is the mountain up which the cross of St John Vladimir is carried every year in procession.

Before you set off walking

Across the country there are some 3,000 km of paths according to the National Tourism Organisation, of which roughly 1,480 km are signposted. Routes by level are gathered in hiking in Montenegro. gov.uk warns of walkers getting lost after leaving marked paths, notes that altitude sickness is possible in places and reminds you that the emergency number is 112. I’d add the usual, start early and don’t underestimate the time it takes to get down.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Žabljak before prices climb.