Durmitor National Park tour: Lakes, canyons & adventure

Eighteen glacial lakes ringed by three canyons and Europe's deepest gorges

A full-day private tour of Durmitor National Park departing from Podgorica, with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup, visiting glacial lakes, mountain peaks and the Tara River Canyon. The tour offers two route options: one focusing on Durmitor and the canyon, the other on Durmitor's ring road with Pivsko Lake. National park entry (5€ per person) and optional activities like zip-lining or hiking are booked at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Durmitor National Park and surroundings

• Pick up from Podgorica
• Drive to Scepan polje with scenic views
• Visit Durmitor National Park and glacial lakes
• Explore Black Lake and its surroundings
• Drive along Durmitor's ring panoramic road
• Stop at Piva Lake for sightseeing
• Visit Tara River Canyon and Tara bridge

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in Podgorica and driven roughly three hours north through Danilovgrad and Nikšić toward Durmitor. The route itself carries views: limestone plateaus, dense forests, the landscape opening as you climb. Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO site since 1980, sits at the heart of Northern Montenegro. The mountains were carved by glaciers and hold 18 lakes, surrounded by three canyons including the Tara River Canyon, which cuts the deepest gorges in Europe. The massif itself has 23 peaks above 2,000 meters.

Which route you take depends on the option you choose at checkout. One path takes you through the canyon: after Žabljak and Black Lake, you loop through the Tara Canyon to the Tara Bridge, a 365-meter concrete arch that stands 172 meters above the river. The other follows Durmitor's ring road from Žabljak to Plužine, passing near traditional villages where you can taste local products, and includes Pivsko Lake, an artificial lake ringed by limestone plateaus and forest. Black Lake itself sits in dense Durmitor pine forest, its water so dark the name comes from both the reflection and the depth: Mali reaches 50 meters down. Your guide walks you through the geology and the landscape. The day is paced to let you absorb the scale of it.

Optional activities (zip-lining at the Tara Bridge, hiking, boat rides on the lakes) can be added at booking. The tour runs eight to ten hours depending on stops and which route you pick. You return to Podgorica by evening.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel pickup from Podgorica are included.
• national park entry (5€ per person) and optional activities like zip-lining, hiking or boat rides are booked separately at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English07:00

Guide in English07:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Montenegro Wonders

Is this one for you?Choose the canyon route if you want to see the Tara Bridge and Europe's deepest gorges. Pick the ring road option if you prefer the panoramic drive and Pivsko Lake. Both routes visit the same glacial lakes and mountain peaks, so the choice depends on whether you want canyon drama or a longer scenic drive through traditional villages.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's the difference between the two route options on this tour?

One route focuses on Durmitor and the Tara Canyon, ending at the Tara Bridge. The other follows Durmitor's ring road to Plužine and includes Pivsko Lake. Both visit Black Lake and mountain peaks, and the choice depends on whether you prefer canyon exploration or the panoramic ring road.

How long is the drive from Podgorica to Durmitor?

The drive to Žabljak, the main town in Durmitor, takes around three hours, passing through Danilovgrad and Nikšić. The full tour runs eight to ten hours including stops and sightseeing.

What is Black Lake and why is it called that?

Black Lake sits in Durmitor's dense pine forest and is named for both the dark reflection of the forest in its water and its depth: Mali reaches 50 meters down, while Veliko is about half that. It's one of the 18 glacial lakes in the park.

Can I add activities like hiking or zip-lining to this tour?

Yes, optional activities including zip-lining at the Tara Bridge, hiking, and boat rides on the lakes can be booked at checkout. Zip-lining costs 20–25€ per person.

Is the national park entrance fee included in the tour price?

No, Durmitor National Park entry is 5€ per person and is paid separately at the gate. Your guide handles the logistics.