Durmitor National Park is a natural area of northern Montenegro in Europe. The park’s features include mountains, canyons and gorges, rivers, and underground streams formed by glaciers as they melted during the Quaternary period. Main features of the park include Mount Durmitor plateau and the valleys and canyons of the Tara River, considered one of the last wild rivers in Europe. The Tara River Canyon is home to the deepest gorge in Europe at 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) deep.
The park has a wide altitude range from the mountain peaks to the canyon floors, creating multiple microclimates, like Mediterranean and alpine. There are three major geo-morphological features: canyons, mountains, plateaus.
The area is heavily forested, with pine forests that include the rare black pine, and the 400-year-old trees often reach 50 meters (160 feet) in height. There are 18 glacial lakes, the largest of which is the Black Lake, which feeds both the Tara River and the Komarnica River. Durmitor National Park is also home to a variety of plant and animal life, such as the brown bear, wolf, wild boar, wild cat, chamois, and various species of eagle.
Durmitor National Park Map
Facts about Durmitor National Park
- The park has an area of 339 square kilometers (131 square miles).
- Durmitor was established as a national park in 1952, and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
- Durmitor National Park has altitudes ranging from 450 meters (1,475 feet) to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
- In the Durmitor Massif, there are 48 peaks above 2,000 meters (6,560 feet).
Where is Durmitor National Park?
Durmitor is located mostly in Montenegro’s Žabljak municipality of northwestern Montenegro. The location is fairly remote and must be accessed by car or bus.
Best time to visit Durmitor National Park
With its wide range of altitudes, there are a few microclimates within the park – from Mediterranean in the valleys and alpine near the peaks. The ski resorts in the village of Žabljak make winter a popular time to visit, while summer offers hiking, fishing, swimming and other outdoor activities. Mountain Flowers Day is a popular festival held every year around the middle of July. Spring and autumn are the least crowded season and the park experiences mild weather.
More on Durmitor National Park
Nearby Attractions: Podgorica, Dubrovnik, Ostrog Monastery, Mount Lovcen, Cetinje