Prokletije National Park: A Hiking Guide To The Alps Of Montenegro
Updated: Mar 16, 2023
Located in the southeast of Montenegro, Prokletije National Park is a huge expanse of wilderness that forms the border with Albania and Kosovo. Being so scenic and remote, this park is one of the best-kept secrets of Europe. The best way to discover the jagged peaks, valleys, and springs, is by hiking one of the many trails. And given the remoteness of this region, you’ll see very few people hiking here. In this article, we’ll break down the most important things to know before going to Prokletije National Park, where to stay, and 5 of the best things to do in Prokletije, including both short stops and longer hikes.
Check out our video on Prokletije National Park to see the best things to do through our camera!
Table Of Contents
Important Things To Know
Best time to travel to Prokletije National Park
The best time to go to Prokletije National Park is from May to the end of October. The weather will be perfect for hiking at this time of the year. We went around mid-October and highly recommend that time of the year. The trees had beautiful fall colors so it was magical!
Cost and currency
Prokletije National Park is an affordable hiking destination. An entrance ticket will cost you €1 per person per day and accommodation is also very reasonable.
Where To Stay In Prokletije National Park
It's best to stay in the nearby towns of Plav or Gusinje if you're looking for budget accommodation and a range of restaurants and stores. We stayed in Gusinje and found it easy to get to the trailheads with our rental car. If you don't have a car, it might be best to stay close to the mountains and trails. Good options are Vusanje or Grebaje Valley. It's best to book early as accommodations closer to the mountains book up early!
Here are some of our top picks:
Hotel Rosi: This is where we stayed in the heart of Gusinje. It's a good budget option with clean rooms and heating.
Eko Katun ROSI - Old Tower: Cozy bungalows with a great location between the town of Gusinje and Vusanje. It is a 30-minute walk from the Grlja Waterfall which is the beginning of the Ropojana Valley walking trail. The hotel also offers breakfast and has a restaurant which can be very convenient after a long day of hiking.
Guest House Kollata: Very clean chalets with peaceful gardens and possibility of having breakfast and dinner at the hotel. The location is perfect since it is only 15 minutes by foot from the Grlja Waterfall.
Bungalows Katun Maja Karanfil: These bungalows are close to the Volušnica trail in the Grebaje Valley, so a perfect location if you're planning to hike in this area!
Best Things To Do In Prokletije National Park
If you're traveling to Prokletije National Park and want to save time searching for directions to all of the places we mention in this article, then look no further than our custom map. Simply click on a point in the map below to get directions there for yourself!
Let's now jump into the 5 best things to do in Prokletije National Park!
5. The Blue Eye & Ropojane Valley
Located in Ropojane Valley, the Blue Eye, or literally translated the “Eye of the Grashopper” (Oko Skakavice in Montenegrin), is a turquoise mountain lake that was formed by a karst spring. It’s easy to get here from the Grlja waterfall, which we highlight next. After walking the wide trail through the valley, you’ll come to this magical location and if you’re lucky, you’ll have the place to yourself like we did.
4. Grlja Waterfall
The Grlja waterfall is located next to the parking lot just before entering the Ropojana Valley walking trail. It’s powered by water from the Blue Eye and fresh water from the surrounding mountains. The falls are a majestic sight to take in, cascading 12 meters or 39 feet down into a canyon. Be careful near the edge since there’s only a small section that is fenced.
3. Kusije Waterfall
From the Grlja Waterfall, you can follow a 1.8 kilometer or 1.1 mile trail that leads to the Kusije Waterfall. Surrounded by a lush forest, nature is at its best here. We tried to get here from the Blue Eye, which wasn’t a good idea as there weren’t any markers on the trail and we got lost multiple times. So we definitely recommend accessing it from the Grlja waterfall area. You'll find the sign to the waterfall at the Grlja waterfalls.
2. Ali Pasha’s Springs
Located right outside of Gusinje, Ali Pasha’s Springs are numerous pools that join together into one big stream flow. It is said that the water here is rich in minerals and has multiple health benefits. Surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. The Springs are named after Ali Pasha of Gusinje, a previous Albanian commander.
1. Volušnica TalIjanka Popadija trail
If you only have time for one hike in the Prokletije Mountains, head to the Grebaje Valley. From here, you have numerous trail options and Volušnica is the most scenic one. This moderate hike takes you close to the dramatic Karanfili peaks, the most photogenic grouping of mountains in the National Park. After hiking for about 3 kilometers, you’ll come to a junction.
We chose to go right at the junction and continue past waterfalls and up along the ridge to Talijanka and Popadija, which straddles Montenegro and Albania. The loop hike that we did takes between 5 to 7 hours to complete and is a total of 11.5 kilometers or 7 miles long. With an elevation gain of 978 meters or 3200 feet, it’s definitely a leg burner. But the 360 views of surrounding mountains and majestic scenery makes it 100% worth it. This was our favorite hike in all of Montenegro!
Use These Websites To Save Money On Your Trip To Prokletije National Park
Booking.com for places to stay
Skyscanner for cheap flights
GetYourGuide for local tours
Rentalcars.com for affordable car rentals
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Other Top Prokletije National Park resources:
If you're looking for some other suggestions and tips on Prokletije National Park, here are some great articles that will help you:
Prokletije National Park by Visit Montenegro
Prokletije National Park & Surroundings by Budget Bucket List
Hiking In Prokletije National Park by The Next Crossing
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