Durmitor National Park
Glacial lakes, limestone peaks and the Tara River canyon in northern Montenegro, with Žabljak as the base for most trips.
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Durmitor National Park is in northern Montenegro, in the Dinaric Alps. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, listed in 1980, and it is known for its glacial lakes, limestone peaks above 2,000 m and the Tara River canyon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Žabljak, the main town at about 1,450 m, is where most visitors stay. From there, trails, mountain roads and rafting trips on the Tara are the main starting points.
The park suits hikers, rafters and travelers who like quiet mountain towns. Summer is the main season: trails are open, the lakes are reachable on foot, and the Tara canyon is best seen from the water or the road. Winter brings snow and skiing around Žabljak. Plan at least three days to see the lakes, walk one high-country route and visit the canyon without rushing.
Durmitor National Park in five
- Buy the 5 EUR day ticketThe park price list shows 5 EUR per person per day, including the Visitor Center and educational paths. Under the fee decision, children up to 15 pay nothing.Park price list
- Walk the Black Lake path firstThe educational path circles the Black Lake at 1,416 m. The park rents boats at 10 EUR per hour, or you can bring your own for 5 EUR per hour, and rents bikes by the hour.
- Raft the Tara from July to mid-SeptemberThe park says rafting is safest from 1 July to 15 September, when the water level suits. Choose a licensed operator and ask about insurance and age limits.
- Do the Durmitor Ring by tour or carThe board describes the Ring as about four hours of driving and walking. The park lists organised Ring tours at 20 EUR per person by van or 30 EUR by jeep, with the entrance fee included.
- Stay on marked trails and carry a charged phoneUK advice says hikers have got lost after leaving marked paths. Tell someone your route, carry supplies and call 112 in an emergency.UK safety advice
Things to do in Durmitor National Park
See all attractions in Durmitor National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- 5 EUR per day (park price list); no charge up to age 15
- Permits
- No extra permit; fishing at the Black Lake needs a daily permit
- Season
- Rafting 1 Jul–15 Sep; mountain huts mid-June to September
- Nearest town
- Žabljak
- Getting there
- Car or bus to Žabljak; the Risan–Žabljak road links it to the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow16 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh0°Low-7°Snow, skiJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh2°Low-4°Snow, skiFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- MarchRain15 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Snow, late skiMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, late ski
- AprilRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Thaw, mudAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring, coolMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, cool
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Huts openJuneRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Huts open
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Rafting, hikingJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rafting, hiking
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Rafting, hikingAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rafting, hiking
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Rafting to 15 SepSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rafting to 15 Sep
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low4°Autumn, coldOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, cold
- NovemberRain14 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°Snow startsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 203 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow starts
- DecemberSnow14 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh2°Low-3°Snow, skiDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
Average daily high and low in Žabljak, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Durmitor National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 100%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Durmitor National Park
10:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today0°-1°88%Monday: Snow. High 0°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Tue0°-2°98%Tuesday: Snow. High 0°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed-1°-2°10%Wednesday: Snow. High -1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu0°-2°0%Thursday: Fog. High 0°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri1°-3°5%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 1°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat4°-1°32%Saturday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Sun3°1°37%Sunday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 09:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Biogradska Goraby road through the northern mountainsA primeval forest around a glacial lake.Read the guide
- Tara canyon and the Đurđevića Tara bridgeshort drive from ŽabljakViewpoints over the deepest canyon in Europe.
- Podgoricalong drive southThe capital and the airport.Read the guide
Before you go to Durmitor National Park
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Rules for Durmitor National Park, checked
- Durmitor NP price list: ticket 5 EUR per person per day (Visitor Center and educational paths included); Visitor Center only 1 EUR.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Black Lake: park boat rental 10 EUR/h, own boat 5 EUR/h; daily sport fishing permit 20 EUR; car parking 1 EUR/h.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Rafting on the Tara is safest from 1 July to 15 September, when the water level suits, the park says.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Durmitor National Park
Primeval forest and a glacial lake
Read the guidePodgoricaThe capital and nearest airport
Read the guideLake SkadarThe park on the other side of the country
Read the guideTours and ticketsRafting and canyon tours compared
Read the guideGetting around EuropeRoads, buses and rental cars
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hiking and rafting
Read the guideAll of MontenegroEntry rules, coast and mountains
Read the guideDurmitor National Park FAQ
How much does Durmitor National Park cost?
A day ticket is 5 EUR per person and covers the Visitor Center and the educational paths. Children up to 15 pay nothing; the Black Lake boats, parking and Ring tours are extra.
When is the best time to visit Durmitor?
July to September for hiking and rafting, since the park says rafting is safest from 1 July to 15 September. Winter suits skiing and snowshoes, with snow possible well outside those months.
Can you see Durmitor in one day?
Yes, in outline: the Black Lake path and a Durmitor Ring tour, which the board describes as about four hours. Hiking the high peaks and rafting each need their own day.
Is Tara rafting safe?
Operators run it in summer when water levels suit, per the park. Use a licensed company, ask about guides, helmets and insurance, and follow instructions on the water.
How do you get to Durmitor from Kotor?
The board names the Risan–Žabljak road as the link between the coast and the northern mountains. Allow a long mountain drive, check conditions after snow and fill the tank first.