Black Lake is another place in the north of Montenegro that will not leave you indifferent.
A natural piece of beauty and tranquility.
This is a fairly popular place, part of a national park, where tourists are taken by busloads.
And by the way, not only people like the lake. Our dog was absolutely delighted with it)
Well, now let's talk about everything in order.
Where is Black Lake located?
The lake is located a few kilometers from Zabljak. Finding it is not at all difficult. But in order not to leave you any chance of getting lost, here is a map. You're welcome)
Black Lake on the map
Entrance to this part of the national park is paid: 2 euros for car parking + 3 euros per person.
First you will walk along a path in the middle of a spruce forest (not far, 700 meters),
and then you will go to the Black Lake.
Why Black Lake?
Black Lake is actually emerald green. But it is called that because the high mountain casts a shadow on the water and this makes it look dark.
Even fir trees growing on the mountain look beautiful.
Big mountain and little man.
Take your time and walk around the perimeter of the lake.
Behind the spruce forest lies another piece of the lake, a little smaller.
By the way, the dog was incredibly happy to walk around the Black Lake. We have probably never seen him happier.
Master of disguise 80 lvl)
In the vastness of the Durmitor National Park there is another national park, which is called "".
Usually a visit to Black Lake is combined with viewing other nearby attractions. Regardless of whether you are traveling to Durmitor on your own, taking a tour, or traveling as a group, this is the right decision; it is logical to see as much as possible in one trip.
I have already written how to get to Black Lake; there are only two options: renting a car or booking an excursion. Traveling by public transport is not realistic and here's why. You are not only going to Black Lake, your goal is to visit several sites, which I will discuss below. In theory, you can take a regular bus to object No. 1, see it, then wait for another bus, get to object No. 2, etc. But, in practice, such a plan would be so difficult that it is easier to refuse a trip to Durmitor than to travel in this way. You can travel along the coast by public transport, but not around Durmitor. Therefore, there is no alternative to buying an excursion or booking a car.
If you are planning to visit Black Lake, there are two possible excursion routes. Of course, there may be some slight variations, but basically everyone is transported along these routes, and that’s right. Routes:
- Along the coast through Podgorica to the Moraca Monastery, then along the canyons of the Moraca and Tara rivers to the Djurdjevica Bridge. Then visit the Black Lake. At the end of the trip, you drive through Durmitor to Lake Piva and visit the Piva Monastery.
The map below shows the route from Budva, but it can be from any city on the coast, the essence does not change.
- If you don’t like too long trips, and 500 km in one day is hard for you, you can simplify the route. Head along the nearby road towards Zabljak. Along the way you will have three big stops: Djurdzhevich Bridge, Black Lake and Piva Monastery. If you really want to make the route easier, you can skip the visit to the Piva Monastery.
There are a huge number of lakes in Montenegro; there are about two dozen of them in the Durmitor National Park alone. However, Black Lake is the most famous, and probably the most beautiful in Montenegro. At least it’s definitely the most well-groomed, after all, this is the territory of a national park, where they monitor cleanliness and the environment. There is a very pleasant and well-groomed area around, there are benches everywhere where you can sit and relax. That is, the place as a whole is interesting, and not just the lake, you come here and feel like you are walking in a very large, nice and well-kept park.
You slowly wander towards the lake, birds are chirping around you. You can see some kind of living creature, I once saw a squirrel, sitting half a meter away from me, and it didn’t seem to be afraid, but, nevertheless, it didn’t even come into my hands. The lake itself is also beautiful.
You can swim if you wish, but there is a sign on the shore that says no one is responsible for your safety. And, the water in the summer is noticeably cooler than on the coast of Montenegro. However, Black Lake is located in the north of the country, where the climate is somewhat different.
The lake is located at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level, but you won’t have to climb the mountain; you’ve already done the climb a long time ago when you traveled to these places by car. The lake is divided into two parts, a large lake and a small lake. The depth of the large lake reaches 25 meters, and the small one 50 meters.
The lake got its name because dark-colored algae grows at the bottom. Therefore, if you look at the lake from the mountain, it appears black.
Black Lake is a very popular place among tourists from different countries. Almost every excursion that takes place in Durmitor includes a visit to this place. Also, there are many tourists who arrived on their own in cars; the parking lot in front of the entrance to the national park is always packed to capacity.
Of course, on Black Lake you are supposed to walk a lot, see natural attractions, and breathe fresh air. But, this place also has some additional entertainment. Firstly, you can rent a boat, it is cheap. Secondly, there is the opportunity to climb on such things.
This is something like an extreme obstacle course for children and adults. There are three such parks on the territory of Montenegro, in addition to the Black Lake, there are also in and on, in a place called Ivanova Korita. There are trails of varying difficulty. Every step is taken with insurance, so don’t worry, nothing will happen to your child.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the Adventure Park on Black Lake has been declining, there are fewer trails, and the maintenance often leaves much to be desired. I like a similar park in Podgorica much more.
Around the Black Lake there is a forest, a lot of coniferous trees, there are some berries, judging by the fact that local residents sell them, they are probably edible. I think there are mushrooms here too.
There is a restaurant on the territory of the lake, but there is not much choice in it, therefore, I would advise you to eat before visiting Black Lake, or after, and beyond.
Distance from Black Lake to other settlements
See table below.
As you can see, the drive to Black Lake is quite long, which is why, as I wrote above, it is logical to combine a visit to this national park with viewing other attractions.
Weather on Black Lake
On the territory of Durmitor it is much cooler than on the coast, you are not in danger of freezing in the summer, but, nevertheless, it is several degrees lower here, and at the beginning or end of the season you may want to throw on a light jacket. The photo below shows the average daily air temperature in the territory of Black Lake.
Where to have lunch
You can have lunch anywhere, the main thing is not on the lake itself, there are many restaurants on the road to it, I won’t recommend which one is better, I’ve been to several, I liked them all.
In conclusion, I will insert a few photos of the lake.
All friends for today
I look forward to your questions in the comments, I will definitely answer everyone. I have lived in Montenegro since 2011, I know the country well, yes, and I have been to Black Lake many times. I also organize excursions to Black Lake and Durmitor with departure from Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, you can contact me using the contacts listed on this site.
Montenegro has a fairly large number of lakes, but the second most popular after the amazing Skadar Lake is undoubtedly the Black Lake. It is a popular tourist site and truly deserves your attention due to its beauty and scenic beauty.
In addition, there is a walking path around the lake, although in some places it is quite narrow and with a strong slope. That is why, when planning a trip here, it is better to stock up on comfortable shoes rather than flip-flops.
By the way, about clothes. Please, when going to Black Lake or any other lake in the north of the country, remember the temperature difference! The average summer temperature there is about +20, and under the shade of trees even less.
The entire Black Lake can be walked around the perimeter along the already mentioned path in just 2-3 hours, it all depends on your physical fitness.
There are many comfortable benches on the banks where you can sit and just enjoy the extraordinary view. But the entrance to the protected area around the lake is paid - it costs 3 euros, you do not need to pay separately for the car.
The Black Lake in Montenegro does not warm up well, so even in July the water for swimming is perhaps only suitable for seasoned people, although, of course, you can try. The water temperature in the lake is always 4 degrees lower than the air temperature, so when looking at the surface of the water with the desire to cool down, first clearly and honestly assess the capabilities of your body.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to rent a boat here and ride around the lakes, but you can entertain yourself with fishing (for an additional fee). Speaking of fishing, ask the keepers what size fish you can catch, how and how much you will be allowed to take with you.
It may be easier for you to go to the nearest restaurant and order both fish and fish soup there. Another regret is the lack of a restaurant on the shores of the Black Lake. No! Of course there was one, but almost three years ago it burned down.
Now both the region and the national park are waiting for an investor to build a new restaurant, because this is quite an expensive pleasure, since, among other things, it is necessary to comply with many environmental requirements.
Several marked tourist routes begin directly from Black Lake; on the approach to the lake, near the road you can see a detailed map of the area. But going to Bobotov Kuk - the highest point of Durmitor, to the Ice Cave or just for a walk in the National Park is definitely not worth it without a guide and without the necessary equipment.
7 lakes of Montenegro. August 15th, 2014
In Montenegro, everything is in order with various bodies of water! In addition to the well-known Adriatic Sea with its beautiful bays and bays, there are also a large number of fast mountain rivers. But today we will talk about the Montenegrin lakes. I can’t say exactly how many lakes there are in this country, because... different sources say different numbers. During our life here we visited 7 lakes. Among them there are both the most famous - these are Skadar and Black lakes, and one whose name is not even written on all maps - Lake Grakhovsko. All the lakes described below can be reached by a regular car. Most of them can be easily found on the map. So, in order.
1 . The largest lake not only in Montenegro, but also on the entire Balkan Peninsula is Skadar Lake (Skadar Lake). It is loved both by tourists - lovers of wildlife, and by biologists and zoologists, that is, those who deal with nature professionally. Skadar is not only a Montenegrin national park, but also the largest European nature reserve. 6 rivers flow into this lake, the largest of which are Moraca and Crnojevica. The branches of the Moraca River delta create many islands where tourists love to swim, making their way by boat among the lush freshwater vegetation. The average depth of the lake is 6 meters. But there are areas that are below sea level and reach a depth of more than 60 meters. Such deep depressions are called underwater keys or “eyes”. There are about 30 of them on Lake Skadar. The shores of the lake are mostly swampy.
2/3 of the lake’s territory is located in Montenegro, and 1/3 in neighboring Albania.
Lake Skadar is rich in fish and waterfowl.
2 . No less famous and loved by tourists Black Lake (Tsrno ezero). But if Lake Skadar is located on a plain at sea level (and some places even below sea level), then this lake is located high in the mountains, at an altitude of 1416 m above sea level, 3 km from the resort town of Zabljak. Black Lake is located in the Durmitor National Park. This is a glacial lake. It consists of two small lakes, Big and Small. These same lakes are connected to each other by a narrow strait, which dries up in the summer, thereby creating two separate bodies of water. Probably because of this feature, locals call Black Lake the “eyes” of the mountains. There is a simple hiking trail in the shade of the forest around the lake. So even during the hottest summer sun, the walk will be pleasant. In the area of the Durmitor mountain range there are 17 more large and small mountain glacial lakes, but so far we have visited the largest and most “tourist” one.
The water in Black Lake is an amazing emerald blue color. And very transparent. The water temperature is quite cool even in summer, but seasoned people swim. There was enough for us to get our feet wet.
The shores of the lake are steep in some places and flat in others. Trees sometimes grow at the very edge of the water. In some places there are comfortable natural beaches where you can soak up the mountain sun. Along the trail there are also comfortable benches and gazebos for relaxation.
Around the Black Lake and the town of Zabljak there are a lot of hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty that lead to mountain peaks, lakes and speleological sites.
3. Piva Lake (Pivsko ezero). If you have visited Black Lake and the town of Zabljak, you can drive along the picturesque mountain road to the town of Pluzine and enjoy the view of Lake Piva. This lake is of artificial origin, but it fits so organically into the landscape of the area that it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Montenegro. On the side of the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the Piva River, there is the Mratine dam, thanks to which this wonderful lake appeared. The dam was built in 1975. Its height is 220 meters. They say this is the highest dam in Europe. In parallel with the construction of the dam, the town of Pluzine, which is located on the shores of Lake Piva, developed and transformed. Now it is home to many professionals working on the dam and their families.
The water in the lake is a rich milky turquoise color. On the beach in the town of Pluzine it is a little cloudy, but in the summer it warms up well, so the beach of this town is popular. The bottom consists of stones and clay. Maybe it’s the light clay that gives such an unusual shade to the water.
This lake looks like a wide river winding between steep cliffs and forested mountains. A fascinating landscape that you never tire of admiring!
4 . Another lake that is located on the territory of the national park is Biogradsko lake. It is located in the park of the same name Biogradska Gora. The lake is located between the cities of Mojkovac and Kolasin (closer to Mojkovac). The territory of this national park is almost entirely covered with forests. Accordingly, the lake is surrounded by tracts of trees that come close to the water. The lake is located in an intermountain basin and is of glacial origin. Lake Biograd is located at an altitude of 1,094 m above sea level. This is the largest of the 6 lakes located in this national park. We didn't stay at this lake for long, because... We were eaten by mosquitoes, but we still managed to take one photo.
5. Bilechko Lake. This lake-reservoir is located on the Trebišnjica River. This is one of the largest artificial lakes on the Balkan Peninsula. It is located on the territory of two countries: Montenegro and Bosnia. Most of the lake lies in the neighboring land of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lake is 18 km long and about 4 km wide. The lake is named after the city, which is located on its shores on the Bosnian side - Bileča. If you decide to visit this body of water, do not forget to look into the Red Wall cave (Crvena Stena), which is located not far from this lake. There is a separate article about this cave with a route. And, they say, from the side of Montenegro the view of Lake Bilečko is much more spectacular!
We did not swim in the lake, because... We traveled to it in early spring, but observed the approaches to the water. We also saw the remains of an old railway and abandoned tunnels. So if you are a digger, a lover of archeology and speleology combined, or just a person who is curious to explore new and interesting natural or man-made landscapes, do not forget to visit this place.
6 . If you have ever traveled to the glorious city of Niksic, then you have probably passed Slanskoe lake (Slansko ezero). Take the time to at least stop on the side of the road and enjoy the view. The bizarre, uneven outlines of the shores of this lake with a scattering of islands of different sizes will not leave you indifferent. This lake, like many in Montenegro, is of artificial origin. Previously, according to the stories of local residents, in this place, where the lake is now located, there was a plain along which salt was transported. This area was called Slansko pole. After the construction of a power plant for the needs of the growing city, this plain was flooded with water, turning it into a lake, which began to be called Slansko Jezero, translated as salt lake. In fact, here is the most common fresh water.
The shores of the lake in some places resemble a masonry of stones, but this is a natural phenomenon - this is how the rock is located. The bottom of the lake is rocky (so to speak) - consisting of large, uneven stones.
In spring, the water level in the lake rises, hiding some of the islands in the water column, and in summer all the irregularities of the coastline appear more clearly.
7 .Grahovo lake (Grahovo lake). It is located near the village of Grahovo, which is why it bears this name. The lake is artificial. A dam was built on it, which holds the water column. There is practically no information about this lake. Some maps don't even indicate its name. But despite this, it does not cease to be a wonderful, quiet corner of natural beauty. We found it by accident. The lake is located near the Risan-Niksic highway, but is separated from this highway by a mountain, so it is not visible. There is a path around the lake where you can walk along the shores of Lake Grachovsko and find a cozy place to relax.
So if you are in these places, remember that there is a quiet place nearby where you can enjoy a wonderful view, refresh yourself with fresh water, or just relax, sitting in the shade of trees by a pond. To do this, you just need to turn off the highway and in a couple of kilometers you will be there. 
Judging by the water level marks, we were at its maximum, but in the summer the lake most likely becomes shallow, like all lakes. Local residents said that in the spring it is impossible to fish in the lake, it is prohibited. The water here is clear, you can see algae at the bottom.
To make your search easier, I'm posting a map.
These are the lakes in Montenegro that we managed to visit. When you travel through this wonderful country, remember that among its other beauties there are also such freshwater wonders! Have an amazing trip!
One of the most famous mountain lakes in Montenegro is Black. Local residents affectionately call it mountain eyes... Indeed, it consists of two reservoirs, located in the most beautiful Durmitor Nature Reserve. It is not the largest among mountain lakes, it is the leader in area, but Black Lake is the most popular! I’ll show you photos and videos from October 19, when the weather was wonderfully warm and windless, causing Bear Mountain and fir trees to be reflected in the water
Our walk around Black Lake in a large circle + pause for mulled wine took 1 hour 45 minutes 😀 
I like to walk along the lake early in the morning, when bus excursions have not yet arrived from the sea coast. It’s quiet, magical, and nothing prevents you from meditating, listening to birdsong, and looking at the landscapes. In the photo there is a small Black Lake, a rare tourist gets here; on standard excursions, only 20 minutes are allocated for a walk and a photo. 
In winter, the lake freezes completely, people skate or just walk. And in the spring, when the snow melts, a powerful spring ČELINA is formed, which looks like a stormy waterfall. This photo is from the end of April, the snow will remain until the beginning of summer. Bear Mountain in the center of the photo - 2287 m. From here they go trekking to the highest peak - Bobotov Kuk. 
In the spring you will see crocuses and snowdrops around the lake, and from August to the end of autumn - mushrooms!
Black Lake is located at an altitude of 1418 m, in summer the water warms up to +22, tourists swim, bask in the sun and walk along the paths. Until you walk around it along a circular path or look at a map, you won’t believe that there are two reservoirs! Their maximum length is 1155 m.
In the photo, just above the lake on a green lawn you can see the town of Zabljak and the surrounding villages, which is where I advise you to choose accommodation if you are by car. There are many hotels and private houses on Booking. And for apartments, I advise you to look at the Arnbnb website, use this link to get a $25 discount on your first booking 
This photo was taken from the top of Savin Kuk, where you can climb every summer until the end of September. 
The depth of the small reservoir reaches 49 m, the large one -24.5. In dry summer and autumn, both dry up and an isthmus appears. Walking along the path around Black Lake, you can shorten the path. 
If you come here at the beginning of summer, the isthmus is quite filled with water, tourists ride back and forth in rowing boats, and you will have to make a long circle on foot. 
On the map maps.me all the trails are shown, there are markings in the forest, the trails themselves are paved with stone. The trail is easy. you can go with the elderly and children. But wear sneakers or mountain shoes; thick soles will prevent you from feeling the pebbles. 
FREE PASS TO THE BLACK LAKE
🔸A short passage through the forest begins at village Ivan Do, you can leave the car anywhere under the tree (43.152132, 19.096890).
🔸The second path is long - Koliba restaurant, under the mountain, lifts work there in the summer
🔸The third way to the Black Lake is paid, per person - 3 euros (on the map), they will also charge a couple of euros for parking if you park it close to the cash register. You can show the same ticket at the panoramic point Churevac or at Mount Prutash, because it is valid throughout the day, but during daylight hours.
The legend of the Black Lake in Montenegro
Everyone who sees the emerald surface of a mountain lake for the first time wonders: Why is he called Black? I am inclined to the version about dark spruce trees, which after sunset, reflected in the water, create such an effect. But in any mountains, people make up legends... 
In the 13th century, Saint Sava arrived in the Durmitor mountains for the sake of a monastery, which was located on the site of the Black Lake. The monks greeted him with hospitality, but they doubted that he was really a Saint. And they decided to test him by killing a rooster at night and putting it in his bag. The next day Saint Sava set off, and the monks followed him, shouting:
Hey, father, you are also called a Saint... why did you steal our rooster at night?
- What are you saying, God and the angels are with you! How can I rob a monastery?! - he answered.
-Yes, it's you!- the monks shouted and threw his bag off his shoulder, taking out a bird from there.
Saint Sava got angry and said: “God grant that the earth collapses where your monastery is now.” And so that this place becomes a Black Lake, and not a village!
He revived the dead rooster, and at that very moment it turned into a black grouse. When the monks returned to the monastery, they were amazed by what they saw! The ground collapsed, the monastery and the settlement went into the abyss, and the entire space was flooded with water. On the surface of the Black Lake only the black cap of one monk remained...
P.S. I think the legend is stupid, because... a holy person cannot curse... And the Black Lake is so bright and fabulously beautiful that it is associated only with positive stories 
From historical real events - Tito and the partisans hid here from the Nazis, now the cave bears his name. Although in fact, there is an overhanging rock, not a cave... There are stairs leading to it 
In Durmitor National Park, in addition to the trail around the Black Lake, there are many marked routes, their total length is 100 km. 
- For lovers of mountain trekking, I advise you to conquer Bobotov Cook- the highest peak in Montenegro, 2523 m, it’s easier to walk from the Sedlo mountain pass.
- Take a walk from Black to Snake Lake, 1 hour one way
- If you are spending the night in Zabljak and the weather allows time for a long hike - from the Black Lake climb Bear Mountain
- The multi-hour route goes to Ice cave, there is permafrost and snow.
- Conquer the mountain Prutash and go down to the Skrčki lakes
- From easy to peak Churevac— from the parking lot it’s a 30-minute climb, there are a lot of mushrooms along the way, if you look under the Christmas trees. And in the forest, when you drive along the road, there are a lot of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries in the summer.
- Climb to the top from the place where the lift operates, or take a ride for 7 euros, and then walk 20 minutes to the panoramic point.
