National park Prokletije, or as some like to call it, ‘The Alps of Montenegro’, is the fifth and the youngest national park in Montenegro, established in 2009.

The park was named after the homonymous mountain which makes most of the park’s territory. The name Prokletije is quite interesting since it means ‘cursed’ and it probably symbolizes inaccessibility and steep peaks which represent a real challenge for mountaineers.

Besides the mountain, the park comprises two protected areas: Volusica and Lake Hrid.

In the north the park is bordered by Gusinj-Plav Valley, but in the southern part of the park is the real treat for visitors – mountain peaks, of which the highest is Zla Kolata (2534 m). And once you climb one of them, you’ll see marks dividing Montenegro and Albania. At the same time in two countries, how awesome is that!

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Entrance and prices

The entrance fee to the National park Prokletije is 1€ per person. It’s valid for the whole day.

Here you can check the full price list of the park (e.g. renting hiking stick and shoes, bicycles, etc.).

Things to see and do

Hiking

Basically, the main activity of this park is focused on mountain hiking, and visitors mostly climb Volusica and Popadija, two peaks which will leave you breathless and you will have the most beautiful view of the whole park.

More than 50 peaks have an altitude over 2000 m and 20 of them over 2500 m, but it is not that easy to reach every one of them.

That is why sometimes professional alpinists and mountaineers come to Prokletije – so they can practice climbing before conquering tops of the world’s highest mountains.

Lake Hrid

But the mountain is not the only treasure of this park, Lake Hrid is also quite popular attraction among the visitors. It is located at an altitude of 1970 m and the locals like to call it the Lake of Happiness.

To get there you should first get to Bajrovica Katun, which is a 45 min ride by car (16 km). There’s an ascending hiking trail which leads to Hrid Lake. The hike lasts around 1 hour so make sure to bring some food and water.

According to the legend, this lake was created by gods so that fairies could bathe and not be seen by humans. It is believed that swimming in the lake will bring luck in marriage and health while tossing jewellery grants any wish you make – so it is up to you to find out if the legend is true!

Lake Plav

Lake Plav is another beautiful lake, situated in the foothill of Prokletije massif. It is the biggest lake in the park and Montenegro’s biggest glacial lake. It’s almost 2 kilometres long and a kilometre wide.

During winter, the lake is frozen and sometimes is the ice cap is so thick, you can even walk on it.

How to get to National park Prokletije?

Considering the fact that the NP Prokletije extends on the territory of two municipalities, Plav and Gusinje, you will find the administration and headquarters in Plav and the Centre for visitors in Gusinje.

NOTE: The NP Prokletije doesn’t have the main entrance, it has several tollgates located in Grebaj Valley, Ropojane (Gusinje) and Gradine (Plav).

By bus

From Podgorica to Plav/Gusinje: buses depart from the bus station in Podgorica 4 times a day to Gusinje and Plav. In Plav the bus stops at Lim Bridge and bus top Temnjicka.

The journey takes about 3hrs and 45 mins to Plav, and 30 mins more to Gusinje. The ticket costs around 12€.

By car

From Podgorica: take road Podgorica – Kolasin – Andrijevica – Plav or Podgorica – Mojkovac – Berane – Andrijevica – Plav.

The ride will take around 2.5-3 hours. In case you don’t have your own car, rent one here.

Where to stay NP Prokletije?

You can stay overnight in Plav at Hotel Plavsko Jezero, or at Hotel Kula Damjanova right by the lake. There’s also one hotel in Gusinje, Hotel Rosi, which has a restaurant and a supermarket.

The park offers the possibility of camping, but you will have to pay a small fee of 3€ to pitch a tent. There is even an area made especially for camping which will cost you 10€ a night.

National park Prokletije

Entrance and prices