Of all the Durmitor National Park tours we run, the jeep safari around the Durmitor Ring is the one that surprises people most. Everyone comes to Zabljak for the river; the jeep day shows them the mountain — and the mountain is arguably the better half of the park.
What the Durmitor Ring is
The Ring is a spectacular mountain road circuit that loops around the Durmitor massif, climbing over high passes and threading between peaks — the range has dozens of summits over 2,000 metres, crowned by Bobotov Kuk at 2,523 m. In a jeep with a local driver-guide you cover in one relaxed day what would take a strong cyclist a brutal one.
The route, stop by stop
Black Lake (Crno Jezero)
We start close to home. The park’s most famous glacial lake sits 3 km from Zabljak town centre, ringed by dark pine forest under the Međed peak. Depending on the group we either walk part of the shore or save the full lake circuit for another day — it deserves its own two hours.
Climbing to Sedlo pass
The road climbs above the treeline into bare limestone country. Sedlo, at around 1,900 m, is the highest point of the circuit and the classic photo stop: on a clear day the ridgelines stack to the horizon. Even in July, expect wind and a temperature drop — bring a layer.
The high plateaus and shepherd huts
Beyond the pass the route crosses open plateaus dotted with katuni — traditional summer shepherd settlements that still operate. This is where we stop for domestic cheese, prosciutto and mountain tea when the huts are open. It’s the least photographed and most remembered part of the day.
Canyon viewpoints
The northern arc of the route brings the big reveal: viewpoints over the Tara canyon, 1,300 metres of drop from rim to river. If you’ve rafted with us, this is where you finally understand what you were at the bottom of. The 36 km rafting run passes directly below these rims.
Zminje Lake and the forest lakes
On the return leg we can detour to Zminje Jezero, a small dark lake hidden in old-growth forest — quieter and moodier than Black Lake, and a favourite of photographers. Durmitor has 18 glacial lakes in total, known locally as gorske oči, “mountain eyes.”
Timing and practicalities
- Duration: a full but unhurried day, typically 5–7 hours with stops
- Season: roughly June to October — the high passes hold snow late into spring
- Effort: almost none required; short optional walks at the stops. This is the tour for grandparents, small kids, and tired legs the day after rafting
- Bring: warm layer, sunglasses, camera, cash for the shepherd-hut snacks
Combine it with the river
The classic TKR two-day: jeep safari one day to see the canyon from above, rafting the next to run it from inside. Book both from our Zabljak office (Narodnih Heroja bb, 200 m from the central intersection) or browse everything on the experience page. Questions? +382 69 202 254.