Natural Site
Black Lake
Žabljak · Durmitor & Northern Mountains
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Natural Site
- COUNTRY
- Montenegro
- REGION
- Žabljak · Durmitor & Northern Mountains
- DURATION
- 2–3 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
Black Lake (Crno Jezero) is the largest and best-known of Durmitor’s 18 glacial lakes, and the classic first stop for anyone visiting the national park from Žabljak. It is actually two lakes — Veliko (Large) and Malo (Small) Jezero — joined by a short stream that dries to a trickle in late summer, set in dense pine forest beneath the rocky Medved peak. It lies within easy walking distance of Žabljak, its water is cold and clear, and a flat 3.5 km path loops right around the two lakes, making it the gentlest introduction to Durmitor and the place most visitors come to first.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
Black Lake, like the other 17 “mountain eyes” of Durmitor, was formed by glacial action during the last ice age, when glaciers carved basins in the limestone massif that later filled with meltwater. The lake takes its name from the dark reflection of the surrounding pine forest and the rocky slopes of Medved on its surface. It has long been the most accessible of Durmitor’s lakes — close enough to Žabljak to be reached on foot — and so it became the natural gateway to the national park after the park’s establishment in 1952 and the UNESCO listing of 1980.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The two lakes — Veliko and Malo Jezero, joined by a short stream that can dry to a trickle in late summer.
The 3.5 km loop path — a flat, easy trail right around both lakes through pine forest, the gentlest walk in Durmitor.
Medved peak — the rocky slope rising above the lake, reflected in the dark water.
The pine forest — dense black pine around the shore, the source of the lake’s name and its sheltered, cool microclimate.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
Black Lake is the easiest way into Durmitor — a glacial lake you can reach on foot from Žabljak and walk right around in an hour, with the massif’s peaks rising above. For a visitor it is the natural first stop, the place that makes the scale of the national park tangible without needing a full hike, and the calmest sight in the park.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
THROUGH THE LENS
From the road
MAP & LOCATION
Black Lake
Black Lake, Žabljak, Durmitor & Northern Mountains, Montenegro
43.1447, 19.0908
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Žabljak
THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Savardak — traditional Durmitor dishes near the town
Pizzeria Durmitor — a practical town-centre staple
Mountain guesthouse kitchens — hearty soups, grilled meats, dairy dishes and other highland food around Žabljak
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotel Polar Star — modern rooms in town
Eko Katun H2O — mountain huts on the plateau
Family-run chalets and apartments — flexible self-catering bases in and around Žabljak
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
INTERESTS
Explore by what you love
ROUTES
Routes through here
Durmitor Ring and Piva Canyon — Žabljak to Plužine
A one-way scenic mountain traverse from Žabljak across the Jezerska plateau, Sedlo pass and Trsa to the Piva canyon and Plužine — the high-country half of the Durmitor Ring rather than the complete circuit.
1 days · challenging
VIEW ROUTEThe Complete Durmitor Ring — Žabljak, Sedlo, Piva Canyon and Šavnik
The full circular drive around the Durmitor massif — from Žabljak over the Jezerska plateau and the Sedlo pass to Trsa and Plužine, along the Piva lake shore, then back east through Šavnik to close the loop.
1 days · challenging
VIEW ROUTEDurmitor Ring by Campervan — RV Guide to the Full Circuit
The complete Durmitor Ring planned for campervans and RVs — the same Žabljak–Sedlo–Plužine–Piva–Šavnik circuit, read through a campervan lens: turnaround reality, fuel, overnights, season and narrow-section cautions.
2 days · challenging
VIEW ROUTENorthern Montenegro Grand Tour — Kolašin, Tara, Durmitor and Piva
A three-day editorial touring sequence across Northern Montenegro — from Kolašin and Biogradska Gora to the Tara canyon and Đurđevića Tara Bridge, on to Žabljak and Durmitor, and finally over the Sedlo pass and Trsa to the Piva canyon and Plužine.
3 days · challenging
VIEW ROUTEBobotov Kuk from Sedlo — Durmitor Summit Route
A serious circular summit day on the Durmitor massif from the Sedlo pass, via Zeleni Vir, to Bobotov Kuk (2,523 m) and back — alpine terrain, scrambling, exposure and fixed cables for properly equipped and experienced hikers.
9.5 km · 7 h · challenging
VIEW ROUTEDurmitor Ring Cycling Circuit — Žabljak, Trsa and Sušica
A challenging full-day road-cycling circuit of the Durmitor ring road from Žabljak, over Mala Crna Gora and Nedajno to Trsa, and back through Pišče and the Sušica valley — active mountain roads, long climbs and descents for experienced, self-sufficient cyclists.
76 km · challenging
VIEW ROUTEPART OF
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