Hiking in the Balkans

Take the stairs straight out of Kotor and pass churches, old fortresses, and zig-zag paths on the way to the Krstac pass, where the views across Kotor Bay are incredible. The stone walls of the village was the birthplace of one of Montenegro's early ruling dynasties, although now it is a tiny village occupied by a handful of people.

Jezerski Vrh is one of the highest points in Montenegro, with an elevation of 1,657m (5,436 ft). The trail winds through the thickly wooded mountain side, mostly following old pack horse tracks. There will be some loose stones underfoot, so be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, and watch your step. The hike is clearly marked on the way up, and along the way to the summit, stretches of the route are paved.

At the summit itself, there is a mausoleum dedicated to the Montenegrin bishop Petar II Petrovic Njegos, although it is easy to be distracted by the views of Skadar Lake, Kotor Bay, and the surrounding mountains.

A trail leads up to the crystal clear waters of Crno Jezero (Black Lake), with the imposing mountain of Durmitor on one side, and dense forest on the other. Continue along to Jablan Jezero, another glacial lake. Here, the trail changes to pass through lush meadows before arriving at the green waters of the lake.

A full day hiking takes us into the Ališnica Valley, heading for the summit of Planinica (small mountain). Ališnica Valley is a glaciated valley with a variety of eco-systems along the route. The hike changes from barren landscapes to small pools and rugged peaks through the valley. The summit of Planinica at 2,330m (7,644 ft) is a gently rounded summit, although it takes a lot of energy to make the hike. The ascent is worth it for the stunning mountain views all around. The Škrčko Lakes are directly west, the Tara Canyon to the north, and both are views you will want to stay all day to enjoy.

This full day of hiking will cover the peaks of Bjelašnica, including the highest point of 2,067m (6,782 ft). Along the hike, there are many varied sights, including traditional Bogomil and Bosnian villages, watermills, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and mountain huts. A lot of the mountains are covered in forest, including swathes of beech tree forest as well as smaller spruce tree areas interspersing the mountain sides.