Full Guide to the Black Lake, Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

Family Guide to Visiting the Black Lake in The Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

A Family-Friendly Montenegro Guide

Black Lake Durmitor National Park is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Montenegro and a surprisingly family-friendly place to explore with kids. Located just outside the town of Žabljak, this glacial lake (known locally as Crno Jezero) is perfect for a hike, a picnic, or simply enjoying the views.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to visit Black Lake, Montenegro with kids, including where to park, what to pack, and what to expect along the trail.

When researching this area, there weren’t too many other blog posts, and I could find none from a mum’s point of view, so this is a must-read before you go, especially if you have kids.

We visited the Black Lake and the Durmitor National Park in April as part of our two-week family trip to Montenegro. Our boys were 4 years old and 14 months old at this time.

Surprisingly, we woke up to snow on our first day there, which made the views even more spectacular.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK AND ZABLJAK
A PERFECT MONTENEGRO ITINERARY
TIPS FOR VISITING MONTENEGRO

OR READ ABOUT OTHER PLACES IN MONTENEGRO WE VISITED:

TIVAT – KOTOR – BUDVA – LAKE SKADAR – NIKSIC – TARA CANYON – ZABLJAK

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How to Get to Black Lake in Durmitor National Park

Located in the North of Montenegro, you’ll find the Durmitor National Park, in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Balck Lake, locally known as Crno Jezero. The best place to stay to explore the Black Lake is a town called Zabljak. This is a small town, but it does have a large supermarket and a few restaurant options. There is also a cute playground for kids.

The Durmitor National Park is a less than 10-minute drive from Zabljak. Realistically, you need a car to explore North Montenegro as public transport is extremely limited.

It is possible to visit here as a day trip from Kotor. I’ve linked an option below, which, in my opinion, is a real bargain. The trip is 13 hours and a lot of driving, personally, I wouldn’t do this with little kids, but as a couple / solo traveller. It would be great!

LINK TO A KOTOR TO THE BLACK LAKE DAY TRIP

Father and young son admiring the view of Black Lake (Crno Jezero) in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

Parkarking at The Durmitor National Park for the Black Lake (Crno Jezero), Montenegro

You can park in the Durmitor National Park’s car park (Google Map location linked here). This car park is a short walk, approximately 15 minutes, to the Black Lake (Crno Jezero).

In the Black Lake’s car park, there is a hut to pay for the parking cost of €2, and it is cash only! You also need to pay entry to the Durmitor National Park, which is €5 for each adult. If you’re visiting the Black Lake with kids, entry is free for them!

What to Expect at Black Lake: Trail Info and Facilities

The walk down from the car pork to the Black Lake is short, it takes less than 15 minutes and easy. It’s a wide tarmacked path, perfect for pushchairs (strollers) or wheelchairs. The view is simply beautiful. I do not know why it’s called the Black Lake because the water is brilliant blue.

You will pass a playground on the way from the car park to the lake, which is perfect if you’re visiting The Black Lake with kids.

The path is straight and you’ll see the Black Lake easily. There are some steps / a short rocky path down. We left the pushchair at the top and walked down to the water’s edge. When we arrived in the morning, it was quite quiet and peaceful. It was much busier when we left, but still not too crowded.

There is a large cafe/ restaurant where we stopped for a drink and snack before heading around the lake.

The entrance to Durmitor National Park, gateway to Black Lake in Montenegro

Walking the Scenic path through pine forest leading to Black Lake, Durmitor National Park with kids

ENTERING THE DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK, MONTENEGRO | WALKING TO THE BALCK LAKE WITH KIDS | A PLAYGROUND WE FOUND ALONG THE WAY

Hiking Around The Black Lake in the Durmitor National Park

I’d read that the Black Lake hike was easy, although not suitable for pushchairs as there are some steps. It is NOT an easy walk. It’s a hike, and in some places, you are almost climbing.

I read quite a few Black lake walking path reviews and none were that detailed about what to expect. It is not a smooth tarmack path like the one daow to the lake. The path is uneven and rocky. It does start as a fairly easy walk, however it gets harder. About three quarters around you need to climb steps. The steps are huge steps, my 4-year-old was barely tall enough to get his leg up them. I wish I had taken a photo, but I was carrying our 1-year-old and clinging on to the rope with my free hand.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a city girl, not a hiker, but my husband loves the outdoors, and even he had to agree, hiking around the Black Lake with little kids, was a bit much. Below are images of the path where it’s easier. As you can see, it was covered in snow and quite icey, which made it more challenging. Especially as we weren’t prepared for either snow, or a hike!

Overall, the walk took us somewhere between 2 – 3 hours.

Father and child walking along the circular trail around Black Lake (Crno Jezero), Durmitor National Park

Rocky hiking path circling Black Lake (Crno Jezero) in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

THE ROCKY PATHS AROUND THE BLACK LAKE, DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK, MONTENEGRO

Is Black Lake in Durmitor National Park Family-Friendly?

The initial walk to the Black Lake form the car par is perfect for families. I’m glad we did the full hike around the lake, but I wish we’d been more prepared. Don’t be like me, wear appropriate shoes and clothing. The path is sharp and rocky, and I was wearing ballet pumps!

It’s a long way for little kids to walk. My 4-year-old did extremely well. If you have a younger child, you may want to consider bringing a carrier for them. I have this one for Jaxon, which I think is great, and it saved my back on this trip. It’s lightweight and easy to pack. However, you would probably be better off with a backpack-style one.

There are many places to stop and admire the views around the lake, but make sure that you take plenty of drinks and snacks if you need them, as there is nowhere to purchase these until you get back to the cafe at the end.

Below are some photos from around the lake.

Father and son standing by Black Lake with the Durmitor mountains in the background

Beautiful view of the Black Lake from the hiking path in in the Durmitor National PArk

We had a great time here, and these photos are beautiful family memories. However, I always try to keep it real and this walk was hard work with kids. In my honest opinion, if you are not prepared for a hike, just go to the lake and see it, don’t try to go around it!

Thank you so much for reading this guide to the Black Lake Durmitor National Park as a family. I hope it has been useful to you and has helped you plan your North Montenegro trip.