Žabljak

Žabljak today: the highest town in Montenegro

Žabljak is a continental, mountainous municipality without access to the sea, with the town of Žabljak as its administrative centre. The municipality recorded 2.941 inhabitants in the 2023 census, while the town stands at 1.450 metres. Its formal name was adopted in 1870.

The town is the seat of Durmitor National Park, Montenegro's first national park, proclaimed on 5 August 1952. Durmitor National Park was inscribed as natural heritage in 1980, with an extension in 2005. The UNESCO property covers 32.100 ha and is recognised for exceptional natural beauty, geological values and biological diversity.

Within the town, the Church of the Holy Transfiguration, dating from 1862, is the only original building to have survived the Second World War.

What to see and do in Žabljak: Durmitor and the Tara Canyon

Crno jezero lies within Durmitor National Park, about 3 km south-west of the town. Its 3,5 km circuit passes through black pine forest and looks towards the peak of Međed. In summer, the lake has a maintained shore for swimming and recreation when the water temperature exceeds 22 °C.

For longer mountain days, Sedlo is a pass at 1.907 m and the starting point for the ascent of Bobotov kuk, the highest peak of the Durmitor massif at 2.523 m. The walk from Sedlo takes 3-4 hours, with the hiking season running from June to September. The route to Ledena pećina follows the Crno jezero, Ivan do and Lokvice trail, where ice, stalactites and stalagmites remain throughout the year; the final hundred metres are steep and fitted with safety cables.

The Tara canyon forms part of Durmitor National Park and extends for 78 km, reaching about 1.000 m in depth and, in places, up to 1.300 m. Rafting on the Tara operates from spring to autumn. Most na Đurđevića Tari measures 366 m and was built between 1938 and 1940 to a design by Professor Mijat Trojanović; it falls within the cadastral areas of Krš in Žabljak municipality and Kosanica in Pljevlja municipality.

Savin kuk ski centre is at Virak, about 5 km from Žabljak, with terrain from 1.515 to 2.212 m. Its 4,7 km of pistes comprise 2,6 km of easy runs, 1,2 km of intermediate runs and 0,9 km of difficult runs, served by two double chairlifts, one J-bar, two T-bars and one baby lift. Alongside these mountain activities, Durmitorski skorup is a nationally protected designation of origin product whose protected geographical area includes Žabljak, Plužine and Šavnik.

Getting to Žabljak

The principal approach from Nikšić follows the route through Šavnik, with 47 km to Šavnik and a further 37 km to Žabljak, totalling 84 km from Nikšić. From Serbia, the route via Prijepolje and Pljevlja is 98 km from the border, while the route via Bijelo Polje and Mojkovac is 110 km.

Žabljak has no railway station. Mojkovac, 69 km away on the Belgrade-Bar line, is the nearest station, and regular bus services connect Žabljak with Podgorica, Nikšić, Pljevlja and Mojkovac.

When to visit Žabljak

Summer, from June to September, is the period for hiking, swimming at Crno jezero, rafting and cycling, with the greatest congestion in July and August. The Ledena pećina route is recommended until October. Savin kuk operates from mid-December to early April and offers organised alpine skiing.

Outside the principal seasons, from March to May and from October to November, a smaller part of the offer operates. Žabljak Municipality Day is marked on 17 September over a full week with concerts and sports-recreational programmes. Independence Day events on 21 May include folklore, concerts, children's programmes and sports tournaments, while the Green Montenegro International Film Fest holds an open-air cinema at about 1.500 m.