Walking in Montenegro

We recommend flying into Podgorica Airport, from where you will be collected by a private taxi transfer and taken to Cetinje (45min). Check in at your small friendly guesthouse before taking some time to stroll around the lovely old royal capital of Montenegro, founded in the 15th century.

Rich in cultural and historical heritage, there is plenty to see including the royal palace, the grand embassy building and the Cetinje Monastery, destroyed and rebuilt several times over Montenegro’s history.

A short transfer this morning (30m) brings you to Karuc, a picturesque fishing village on the edge of Lake Skadar. The largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, Skadar is very beautiful (legend says it was created by the tears of a pixie!). It's home to around 270 different types of birds, so don't forget your binoculars today. These include the White Egret, Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant.

On arrival, a relaxing cruise (1h) on a traditional wooden boat gliding amongst the pretty lily pads of the lake gets you closer to some of the birdlife and lets you take in some of the lovely scenery and the tranquility of the lake.

Back in Karuc, we recommend taking some time to enjoy some of the local fish specialities in a café before starting the short walk. You go pass some of the ancient villages in this area with beautiful views of the lake before visiting a local producer of delicious Montenegrin wine for an included tasting. A transfer will collect you passing by the iconic viewpoint of the Rijeka Crnojevica Bridge over Lake Skadar before arriving back in Cetinje.

Please note that today, depending on the availability of the vineyards, you will visit one of two possible options and the walking distances vary slightly between the two. The above distances are based on the longer walk to Jablan Vineyard. Our local partner will tell you which vineyard you are visiting in your welcome meeting on day 1. The walking routes to both vineyards are available to follow in our Macs Adventure app. 

Jablan Vineyard walk: 6kms/4mi Ascent/Descent: 149m/50m

Mrkan Vineyard walk: 5kms/3mi Ascent/Descent: 167m/31m

Head out of Cetinje and on to an old trader’s route which will lead you through the mountains and valleys of Lovcen, to your next base in Ivanova Korita, in the heart of the national park.

Your rustic mountain hotel is a lovely place to spend the next couple of nights with its location in a beautiful valley covered with forests and meadows. Enjoy the fantastic views and sample some delicious Montenegrin food and wine.

Ascent/Descent: 619m/5m 

An exhilarating loop walk today from your hotel to the second-highest point of the National Park, the Jzerski Summit.

Climb a thigh-burning 461 steps leading to the Njegos monument which sits at the summit to be rewarded with panoramic views reaching as far as Kotor Bay in the south, the Albanian Alps in the east and Skadar Lake. Visit the atrium and the crypt before making your way back to your hotel.

Ascent/Descent: 407m/407m 

Head towards the Adriatic, continuing on the old trade route which once connected Cetinje with Kotor, now known as the “Ladder of Kotor”.

Take in amazing views towards the Bay of Kotor as you zig-zag down towards Kotor. Continue on the trail past the Chapel of St Ivan, an old catholic church, and the fortress of Castle of San Giovanni, enjoying changing views of the bay the whole time. Finally, you will reach the walls of the Old Town via a series of old stone staircases.

The fortified town of Kotor is a deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Venetian palaces, Roman Catholic cathedrals, Byzantine church, and romantic cobbled streets.

Ascent/Descent: 100m/1390m

Mount Vrmac sits as a barrier between the innermost part of the Bay of Kotor and the outer part, the Bay of Tivat. Your walk starts in the centre of Kotor on the military zig-zag trail named after Austrian emperor Franz-Josef and climbs up to the “Vrmac Fortress” built in 1892.

Follow a mountain ridge to the summit (765m) before descending on an old shepherd’s trail to the village of Donji Stoliv. Enjoy a coffee at the seaside promenade before being picked up and transferred back to your hotel in Kotor (15min).

Ascent/Descent: 744m/818m

From the village of Orahovac a meandering trail ascends through the forest to the ruins of Vranovo Brdo fortress (743m) for great views of the surrounding turquoise coast.

Enjoy a picnic lunch taking in the views before joining another military path down to the small town of Perast. We highly recommend taking a boat trip over to the very pretty “Our Lady of the Rocks” church dating back to 1484 which sits on a manmade island off the coast of Perast.

This charming little church has some beautifully intricate alter and ceiling frescoes well worth a look. Make your way back over to Perast, where a transfer will take you back to Kotor. (20min).

Ascent/Descent: 700m/775m 

Check out after breakfast and make your way back to either Tivat (15min), Podgorica (1h 50m) or Dubrovnik Airport (2.5h).