A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF BLACK LAKE MONTENEGRO
Nestled within the breathtaking Durmitor National Park, Black Lake is one of Montenegro’s most spectacular sight and a must visit for all nature lovers. Durmitor National Park, located in the northern part of Montenegro, is a breathtaking natural wonder and one of the country’s most prized treasures. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in the Balkans, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. But the true highlight of the park might very well be its Black Lake (also know as Crno Jezero), the largest of the 18 glacier’s lakes in the park.
Located just a short drive from Durmitor’s main town, Žabljak, this stunning glacial lake is surrounded by lush forests, rugged mountains, and pristine landscapes inviting exploration. What makes Black Lake truly special is its calm, reflective waters that change color with the seasons and weather, offering a different experience each time you visit. We visited in August and were greeted with one of the most turquoise color I have ever seen! Whether you’re seeking a peaceful hike, a chance to connect with nature, or simply a place to relax and take in the beauty of Montenegro’s outdoors, Black Lake is the perfect spot.
The area around the lake is ideal for outdoor activities, including walking, picnicking, and kayaking. The easy, scenic trail around the lake offer stunning panoramic views of Durmitor’s dramatic peaks. And if want to explore further, it’s the perfect starting point for hikes deeper into the national park.
In this post, we’ll explore the best things to do at Black Lake and why it should be a highlight of any Montenegro itinerary.
HOW TO GET TO BLACK LAKE
If you are spending some time in Durmitor National Park, chances are you are staying in the main town of Žabljak. From Žabljak, Black Lake is less than 10 min drive or around 30 min if you decide to walk. As you approach the parking lot, you will be stopped by some less than friendly parking assistant, and required to pay to park you car anywhere (from the parking to the side of the road, it doesn’t seem to matter). They charge 3€ / hour, so you need to fairly estimate how much time you are going to spend at the Black Lake. We paid for 3hrs, which was about the right amount of time we spent hiking around Black Lake without rushing.
Once you are parked, head to the ticket counter where you will be charge 5 € / person. I strongly recommend you keep your ticket, as it is valid the whole day throughout the National Durmitor Park.
From the ticket counter, it takes 10 min to reach Black Lake. Along the path you will find many little stalls, selling local mountain products, such a berries, marmalades, herbs, etc, a great place to buy a few local souvenirs.
HIKING AROUND BLACK LAKE
The most popular way to discover Black Lake, is to walk / hike the 3 km trail that surrounds the lake and admire its beauty from all angles. I am not sure if there is a better direction to hike around Black Lake but we decided to do it counter-clockwise and it was perfect.
We started the very beginning of the walk right by the lake, admiring the reflection of the surrounding mountains, and the cute ducks cruising around. A bit later the trail took us on a slightly more elevated point and this is where you can really see the stunning turquoise color of the lake. From then on, we stayed mostly on the higher path, but it is also possible to walk all around the lake staying right by the water.
On your way, you will notice that Black Lake is actually made of 2 lakes: Veliko Jezero (great lake) and Malo Jezero (small lake), connected by a narrow straight of land. In the summer as the lake dries up you can cut straight through and only hike around the Great Lake if you wish. In winter the water of this glacier lake rises and the 2 lakes connect into one.
It took us around 2.30h to walk around Black Lake. The walk is really easy, except for a couple of stretches that were a bit more difficult to maneuver. Overall it is a suitable hike for everyone, children included. I would just recommend to wear a pair of closed, comfortable shoes rather than sandals.
HIKING FROM BLACK LAKE TO SNAKE LAKE
Black Lake is also a great departure point for some beautiful hikes going deeper into the Durmitor National Park. One of the most popular is the 3 Glacier Lakes hike, connecting Black Lake, with Snake lake and the smaller Barno Lake. The full return hike is 7 km. While Black Lake is one of the most popular lakes to visit in Montenegro and has been developed to accommodate visitors, Snake Lake (Zminje Jezero), is a beautiful untouched lake, surrounded by dense pine trees, reflecting in the lake beautiful green water! A complete different experience, compared to Black Lake, and a truly beautiful sight.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
How to Get There: The easiest way to reach Durnitor National Park is to drive up. It takes around 3h from Kotor to Žabljak. If you are not driving during your Montenegro holidays, you could also consider visiting Black Lake on a day trip. The tours below are ticking a lot a lot of great sights, including Black Lake.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Black Lake is during the summer months (June to September) when the weather is pleasant and the hiking trails are accessible. However, the lake can also be beautiful in spring and autumn when the surrounding foliage is full of warm color.
Things to Do: In addition to hiking, there are several other activities you can enjoy at Black Lake. You can rent a rowboat or kayak and explore the lake from the water, or simply relax on the shore and enjoy the sun.
Where to Stay: There are many accommodation options around Black Lake, mostly located in Žabljak. Here a few good options:
- Hotel Soa: the most modern & high-end hotel in Žabljak, ideally located on the way to Black Lake
- North Story: This cute and quite modern hotel has a beautiful pool and amazing mountain views.
- Mountain Houses Emilija: This is where we stayed during our time in Durmitor. A super cute tiny cottage just outside of town. Not as isolated as some pictures might let you think as there are a few other cottages side by side but still very quiet! Clean, and comfortable, and the owner was delightful, giving us some great restaurant recommendations!
Tips for Your Visit:
- Pack for all weather: The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so be prepared for rain, sun, and even snow, especially in the higher elevations. Pack some layers that you can easily put on or remove
- Bring comfortable shoes: Hiking is a popular activity in the area, so make sure you have comfortable and sturdy footwear.
- Respect the environment: Durmitor National Park is a protected area and we were happily suprised to see how clean it is. So please respect the natural environment and leave no trace!
- Downloaded your itinerary: Internet data can be a bit unreliable in the region, so don’t hesitate to download your maps to be able to access it offline, especially if you are going hiking and are unsure about how well marked the trains are. I usually buy a Airalo e-sim before each of my trips as it is cheap and super easy to install.
- Try the local cuisine: Montenegrin cuisine and wine are pretty good, so make sure you try some specialities. in Žabljak I warmly recommend Or’o Restaurant for dinner (make sure you book ahead) and Shambhala Bakery for breakfast or to grab a lunch or to pick up a sandwich for your hike.
USEFUL LINKS TO ORGANIZE A GREAT TRIP TO BLACK LAKE
From booking a flight to finding some beautiful cultural tours, or getting an e-sim ahead of your trip to stay connected, I have gathered here all the super useful websites I always use to organize my travels.
★ Find the cheapest flights:
with Skyscanner or Booking.com
★ Book trains, buses, and ferries
with Omio or Trainline
★ Get the best deal on car rental
with Rentalcars or Booking.com
★ Secure fantastic tours
with GetYourGuide, Viator or Booking.com
★ Buy an international e-sim card
with Airalo
★ Discover the best hotels
with Booking
Did you know? If you purchase something through the links above I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me maintain this website and continue to provide valuable information, for free! Thank you for your support 🙂
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to Montenegro, Black Lake is a destination that should not be missed. Its natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and abundance of outdoor activities make it really great experience! if you have any question about Black Lake, or a Montenegro itinerary, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or to reach out on Instagram!
Love, Emma
