If, like me, you are interested not just in a long walk in nature but in real hiking with a summit conquest, then this trek is for you. No, this is not a hardcore expedition where people freeze in the mountains, sleep in tents, or buy expensive gear. I always choose routes that are accessible to ordinary people with average physical fitness. This climb is manageable even for active retirees and children. The entire journey takes about eight hours, so an overnight stay is not required. However, it is still important to remember that this is a physically challenging and sometimes dangerous ascent. You need to be prepared for it.
Equipment and Supplies
Pay special attention to equipment and supplies.
It is important to bring enough water. Personally, at a weight of 105 kg, I needed 2 liters of water just for the way there, and there was nowhere to refill it on the way back. I was saved by the fact that my wife drinks much less water, and we shared her supply on the return trip. And no, she wasn’t the one who barely sipped from a half-liter bottle over 6-8 hours.
I went on this hike wearing regular sports sneakers. By the end of the hike, they were completely torn, and the sole had split. I believe that if I had worn specialized hiking boots, it would have been much easier for me.
Best Time for Hiking and Accommodation
The best time for this ascent is July-August. During this period, the weather is mostly sunny, with fewer rains and thunderstorms compared to spring or autumn. At night, temperatures are quite comfortable, so you won't freeze in wooden cabins.
You can rent accommodation in the village of Žabljak, which is located near the trailhead. Žabljak is a small mountain village in Montenegro with well-developed infrastructure: it has 5G internet, a wide selection of accommodations (hotels, private apartments, houses), restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations. If you rent a place on the outskirts, there is a high chance of seeing a starry sky. Therefore, it is worth booking accommodation here in advance.
Bobotov Kuk
There are several mountains in Montenegro that claim the title of the highest peak. Officially, the highest peak is Zla Kolata (2534 m) in Prokletije National Park, but this mountain range partially lies within Albania. Therefore, many consider Bobotov Kuk (2523 m) to be the highest point in Montenegro, as it is entirely within Durmitor National Park, Montenegro. Conquering it means adding another impressive achievement to your personal collection of accomplishments.
Route
There are different route variations for climbing Bobotov Kuk, allowing you to see even more places along the way. However, all of them are quite long and can already be classified as difficult hiking. For example:
- Take a taxi from Žabljak to the Sedlo Pass - start at Sedlo Pass - through the "Zubci" to the foot of Bobotov Kuk - ascent - on the way down (return route), turn towards Black Lake - finish in Žabljak.
- Start at Black Lake - Ice Cave - ascent to Bobotov Kuk - Sedlo Pass - return by car to Žabljak.
Both of these routes are quite challenging, especially the climb to the Ice Cave.
But I chose a simpler, more direct route. The start point is here. You can get there by car from Žabljak via the Sedlo Pass and leave your car in this parking lot.
It is best to start in the morning, around 8-10 AM. The distance from the starting point to the summit is about 4 km one way, meaning you have to cover the same distance back—8 km in total. The elevation gain from the starting point to the summit is around 800 meters.
This climb could be completed in 2-3 hours. However, considering there will be narrow sections where you can only pass using a rope, queues of other hikers in these spots, and time for breaks, the ascent may take up to 4 hours one way.
Road to the Foot of the Mountain
Near the parking lot, there is a sign marking the start of the Bobotov Kuk trail. The path is well-trodden and clearly visible – it's impossible to get lost.
The first part of the trail is a long and gentle ascent to the base of the mountain. The road is covered with boulders and stones that you constantly have to step on. At first, it doesn’t seem like a problem, but on the way back, every rock caused intense pain in my ankles and toes.
Tip! Try not to step on an uneven surface with every step. If there is a flat area, it's better to step on it rather than on a stone. That way, you might avoid pain by the end of the hike (just kidding—there won’t be any pain, you can safely go in comfortable shoes).
Just a few minutes into the hike, we saw the summit behind the nearest hill— it seemed impossibly far away. But that’s just an illusion: a couple of hours (or maybe three or four), and we'll be there. Along the way, we saw green meadows dotted with flowers. And rocks, lots of rocks, as if someone had deliberately scattered them around.
By the time we reached the foot of the mountain, we were already a bit tired. You will likely meet many like-minded hikers here, all preparing for the climb just like you. It's important to take a short break here because you’ve already completed the easiest part of the journey.
Climb to the Pass
This was where the real challenge began. The climb to the pass turned out to be steep and long. Along the way, we encountered nearly vertical rock faces, where our climbing skills came in handy.
But don’t worry—these sections are usually not very high and are equipped with support cables to hold onto. In any case, the rocks have plenty of ledges and crevices, making the climb manageable—you can think of them as a staircase.
Sometimes, we had to wait in line at these spots, allowing the person ahead to climb first.
I’d love to describe this section in more detail, but halfway through, I started feeling extreme fatigue. My heart rate shot up to 170 bpm and beyond. Taking pictures was the last thing on my mind. But real strength lies in “small steps.” Slowly, steadily, climbing higher and higher, fighting exhaustion, I finally crawled my way to the pass.
The Pass
A breathtaking view unfolded here. Many hikers chose this spot for a break, as it marked the final push to the summit. From this point, you can either continue your ascent or take a detour towards Black Lake via the Ice Cave. Zabljak itself was clearly visible from here.
The Final Push
Despite the exhaustion, one final section remained. The distance wasn’t long, but the elevation gain was significant, meaning even more climbing.
The height of the vertical rock sections was the same as before, but now there was a several-hundred-meter drop beneath me— nothing too terrifying, of course.
Be especially careful on this part. Clumsy hikers above you may accidentally kick loose rocks, sending them tumbling down—possibly in your direction. You can try to dodge them, but having a helmet is a much better idea. Also, be mindful yourself—you might dislodge a rock that could hit someone below. In such cases, it's common to yell “ROCK!!!” (In Montenegrin, the word is also "kamen," so at least that’s easy to remember). This could be tricky for English-speaking tourists, though.
The last stretch was the scariest. The rocky surface had about a 20-degree incline, and there was nothing to hold onto. As I climbed, strong gusts of wind blew against me. I had to crouch down to keep my balance. But with a few confident steps forward, I finally reached the summit.
The Summit
Finally – the summit! It was quite crowded, but every 10 minutes, different groups of hikers would come and go. The wind had died down, and before me opened up the entire surrounding area. The neighboring peaks no longer seemed so high—they were all lower. The view was simply cosmic, as though I had stepped onto another planet.
At the top, I took several photos and videos. As with many summits in Montenegro, there was an iron box with a journal where anyone could leave a signature or share their thoughts. The pen might not work, so bring your own. You could also have a snack and enjoy the view. It’s a moment to feel truly proud of yourself: "You’ve conquered one of Montenegro's highest mountains." This is no simple hilltop like Volushnica.
This is a dog that made it to 2520 meters. What have you achieved?
The only regret I have is that I won’t be able to experience these emotions again on a second climb up this mountain.
The Way Down
It's not worth lingering too long at the summit, as you still need to return before dark. The descent is easier in terms of cardiovascular load but much harder on the joints and toes.
The descent from the summit to the pass was difficult. Climbing up was one thing, but finding stable footholds going down was quite another. From the pass to the base, we lost all the strength in our tendons and joints. By the end of the descent, our toes were burning and aching. At this point, our water had run out, and the long road to the parking lot was still ahead. Every step hurt. After a little rest, we continued.
This was the hardest stretch of the entire route. Remember at the beginning of the article, I said, “Protect your ankles, step on even surfaces if possible”? Well, by this point, I felt as though my legs had completely "worn down." Every rock, every small step felt like a trial. We were moving like turtles. I didn’t want to take photos or enjoy the views anymore— I just wanted to get to the parking lot.
Taking breaks from time to time, we eventually made it to the car, where we found a spare bottle of water. A tip: always keep water in your car.
On our way to the hotel, we encountered other weary travelers, who had parked much farther than we did. We couldn’t leave them behind, so we gave them a lift.
When we finally arrived at the hotel, took off our boots, and lay down on the bed, there was no greater feeling of comfort in the world.
Conclusion
This hike was a true test. Over the course of a week, we climbed two summits and visited the Ice Cave. During that time, we lost 5-10 kg.
The Montenegrin mountains are my greatest passion; these hikes will forever remain in my heart and memory.