Žabljak: Discover lakes, trails and culture

Glacial lakes and distinctive waterways

Durmitor National Park is home to 18 glacial lakes; Black Lake is the largest and best-known of them. It is also Montenegro’s second-largest mountain lake and is protected by UNESCO. A rare bifurcation shapes its waterways: water flows underground into both the Tara and the Piva. A bifurcation is where a watercourse divides between different bodies of water—in this case, underground routes lead to two named rivers.

Vražje Lake is also part of Durmitor National Park and lies within the municipality of Žabljak. It is a glacial lake with crystal-clear water. Zminje Lake is located in the Pitomine neighbourhood, also within the municipality. The 2.6 km-long Mlinsko Stream connects it to Veliko Crno jezero, which lies 100 m lower. These details give each lake its own distinctive landscape setting: one is described by its water, while the other is also defined by the connection between two bodies of water.

Trails and activities throughout the seasons

Several marked hiking and walking trails start at Black Lake. A purpose-built footpath leads from there to Zminje Lake. If you want to include walks and hiking trails in your travel plans, these offer two specific points of reference in the lake landscape. At Jablan Lake, the access road reaches the Momčilov grad restaurant; from there, an easy uphill footpath runs through a pine forest. This trail is suitable for those seeking relaxation and for families with children.

For winter activities, the Savin kuk ski area is 6 km from the centre of Žabljak. Activities on offer include alpine, Nordic and touring skiing, as well as snowshoeing in Durmitor National Park. A marked cross-country ski trail near the sports centre follows a loop through a landscaped belt of woodland, back to town, and ends at the health centre. This offers a range of winter activities, from skiing to cross-country skiing. The Durmitor Ring panoramic road is signposted in both directions.

Culture and history in Žabljak

The Wild Beauty Art Festival is a multidisciplinary arts event held every summer in Žabljak. The registered religious heritage includes single-nave stone churches with bell towers on their façades. The churches described date from the first half or the end of the 19th century. The destination’s cultural offering therefore includes both a recurring arts event and historic architectural forms.

Another example of the cultural heritage lies near Riblje Lake in the village of Novakovići: there are UNESCO-protected medieval tombstones known as stećci. Their location by the lake and in the village makes this a specific destination for anyone who wants to combine an interest in nature with a look at the historical heritage.

Choose the right holiday apartment for your travel interests

When choosing a holiday apartment in Žabljak, you can focus on the experiences that matter most to you. If you are particularly interested in lakes and walking trails, you can use Black Lake and the footpath to Zminje Lake as guides for planning your trip. The trail at Jablan Lake is also a good option for a family outing, as it is suitable for families with children. In winter, Savin kuk and the cross-country ski trail near the sports centre offer different activity options. If culture is an important part of your stay, the summer festival, churches and stećci complement the natural attractions. These priorities can help you tailor your accommodation search to the kind of holiday you want.

Discover other subareas

Discover other subareas: Žabljak, Njegovuđa, Polje, Motički Gaj, Uskoci, Zminica.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Montenegro.