Durmitor Ring, Montenegro: The Žabljak Mountain Loop (2 Days)

The Durmitor Ring (Durmitorski prsten) loops about 80 km around Montenegro’s dramatic Durmitor massif from the mountain town of Žabljak. Much of it is narrow and part-gravel, climbing over high passes with sheer drops — a higher-clearance car or SUV makes it far more comfortable, and it’s a proper mountain-driving adventure. You drive on the right. It’s a summer route: snow closes the high passes in winter, so go roughly May to October.

Day 1 — Žabljak, Black Lake and the ring’s west (45 km)

Start at the glacial Black Lake (Crno jezero) just outside Žabljak for an easy lakeside walk under the peaks. Then drive the western arc of the ring toward the Sedlo pass, one of the most spectacular stretches, with switchbacks and huge mountain views. Sleep back in Žabljak or at a mountain guesthouse.

Day 2 — Tara Canyon and the Đurđevića bridge (40 km)

Head to the Tara Canyon, the deepest river gorge in Europe, and the graceful Đurđevića Tara Bridge — a spot for photos, zip-lining or rafting. Close the loop back to Žabljak and return the car, or carry on toward the coast.

Costs

Use the cost calculator to price fuel and nights for your exact dates. Budget fuel, a Durmitor National Park entry fee, and mountain-guesthouse nights (good value in Montenegro). Some ring sections are unpaved and single-lane, so take it slowly and check that passes are open — snow can linger into early summer.