Active Outdoor Adventures in Montenegro: Hiking, Rafting, Zipline, and Diving
Montenegro offers a rich program for active tourism thanks to the compact location of mountains, canyons, and the sea coast. The season lasts year-round, but the peak is from June to September. During this time, the weather is stable; however, tours with licensed guides should be booked in advance. Below we will cover four main areas: routes, prices, and preparation specifics.Hiking: from Easy Walks to Mountaineering
Hiking is the most accessible way to explore the country. Trails are divided into mountain (north) and coastal (south). For navigation, be sure to use offline maps and apps with route reviews.Durmitor National Park
The base location is the town of Žabljak. There are around 50 peaks over 2000 meters high.- Black Lake: Easy route, circular trail. Time: 1–2 hours. Suitable for beginners and families.
- Bobotov Kuk (2523 m): Challenging ascent. Time: 6–8 hours. Requires endurance. The summit offers views of the Tara and Piva canyons.
Prokletije and Komovi
Less crowded and wilder routes. The base location for Prokletije is the Grebaje Valley.- Volušnica Peak: Moderate difficulty, 4–5 hours. Views of the “Montenegrin Alps”.
- Kom Vasojevićki: Time: 4.5 hours, elevation gain 710 meters.
Coastal Hiking
Ideal in spring and autumn when there is snow in the mountains.- Ladder of Kotor: 70 serpentines, old Austrian road. Moderate difficulty, 3–4 hours.
Life hack: To access remote starting points (especially in Prokletije and Durmitor), renting a car is strongly recommended. Public transport runs there rarely.
Attention: Mountain weather changes instantly. Even in summer, bring a membrane jacket and trekking shoes. Follow Leave No Trace principles — littering in national parks is subject to fines.
Rafting: Tara Canyon and Alternatives
Rafting in Montenegro primarily means the Tara River (the second deepest canyon in the world, 1300 m). Season: April to October.Routes and Prices
- Tara (Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje): The most popular section (18 km, 20 rapids). Price: from 75 euros. Included: guide, wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, breakfast, and lunch.
- Piva: Calm water, often combined with zipline. Price: ~60 euros.
- Morača: Short medium-difficulty runs. Price: ~50 euros.
- Zeta: Easy level for beginners in the south of the country. Price: ~45 euros.
Recommendation: For maximum adrenaline, choose April–May (high water). If you want warm water and a comfortable ride, book July or August.
Zipline: Flying Over the Abyss
High-speed descents on steel cables are available at key tourist locations. Weight limits usually start from 30 kg.Popular Locations
- Tara Canyon (Extreme Zipline): The most famous zipline. Length up to 1400 m, speed 50–100 km/h. Price: 20 euros.
- Njeguši (Zip Line Njegusi): Flight over the Kotor serpentines, 850 meters. Price: 15 euros.
- Budva (Zipline Budva): Scenic flight over the coast. Price: 10 euros.
- Žabljak (RedRock): View of the Đurđevića Tara Bridge.
Budget: Photos and videos of the descent are often not included in the ticket price and are paid separately. уточняйте this at the ticket office.
Diving in the Adriatic
Montenegrin diving focuses on wrecks (sunken ships) and caves. Visibility is good (10–30 meters), water temperature in season is +18…+25°C.What to See and Prices
Tour prices range from 50 to 100 euros (including equipment and boat). Main dive centers are located in Budva and Herceg Novi.- Tihany Wreck: A World War II-era ship near Herceg Novi. Depth 25–40 m (certified divers only).
- Blue Cave: Available for snorkeling and diving (5–20 m).
- Mikovica Cave (Ulcinj): A system of underwater caves, depth 10–30 m.
- Poseidon City (Budva): Labyrinths and ruins, 10–25 m.
Important: Adriatic biodiversity is inferior to tropical seas — do not expect coral reefs like in Egypt. For deep dives (wrecks), a PADI certificate or equivalent is required.