Lake Plav
One of Montenegro’s striking natural wonders, Lake Plav is often overlooked for more popular destinations along the Adriatic coast and in other parts of the country. Nevertheless, this beautiful lake is an impressive piece of Montenegrin real estate, carved almost one thousand meters up into the heavenly Dinaric Alps.
With a depth of 9 meters, a length of 2160 meters, and a width of 920 meters, Lake Plav is the largest glacial lake in Montenegro. It is fed by the Ljuca River and was formed due to a glacial retreat during the last Ice Age – more than 10,000 years ago. In the daytime, the peaks of Mount Visitor are reflected on the lake’s surface which, depending on the time of the year, is also covered with lovely, blooming water lilies.
Lake Plav attracts a small but growing number of tourists who come here for tranquility, fresh mountain air, clean water, fishing, and hiking. The lake is surrounded by lush and expansive meadows giving it a rugged and wild feel – perfect for kayak exploration!
Things to do around Lake Plav
The picturesque, glimmering blue lake is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws for visitors to this region. The lake is a happy place in summer when cheerful groups of friends unwind on the large wooden pier and watch others jump from the diving platform into the sparkling clearness of the lake.
Kayaks and paddleboats are parked at the pier as well and are available for hire at very affordable rates; paddling along the beautiful shores at your own speed is certainly one of the most rewarding activities at Lake Plav. The atmosphere at the pier gets more peaceful in the evening hours when fishermen replace sunbathers and swimmers.
Lake Plav is rich in various species of fish such as Black Sea Salmon, Northern Pike, Artic Grayling, and Danube Salmon (also called Huchen) which is highly appreciated in the world of sports fishing. The largest Huchen ever caught here weighed an impressive 41kg and measured 145cm while caught pikes regularly come in at more than 10 kilograms.
The lake offers a unique opportunity for belly boat fly fishing enthusiasts. Belly boats are available for rent from the local fishing club. This innovative way of fishing allows you to snag the perfect trout or huchen on the deeper outside edges of the lake. The Lim River that drains the lake at its northern end shouldn’t be overlooked either.
The European Fly Fishing Tournament was organized here in 2019, cementing the importance of the river as one of the region’s flyfishing hotspots for both recreational and professional anglers. Two-foot trouts and graylings are regularly caught here. On the southern end, the Ljuca River acts as a tributary to Lake Plav, making it replenish its water levels every three days.
The Ljuca River carries ice-cold water from the Accursed Mountain’s karst springs through some of the most stunning mountain landscapes of Montenegro and is a major kayaking destination in its own right, especially during the snowmelt in May. This is when the creeks swell and the river picks up speed, making the paddling more exciting.
Plav is a small town on the edge of Lake Plav, with a beautiful Ottoman architectural heritage, most notably the 17th-century Redzepagic Tower which today houses a small ethnographic museum, and the Old Mosque which dates back to 1471. This was the first mosque built in Montenegro by the Ottomans and is still in use today.
Lake Plav transforms into a beautiful icy wonderland in winter against the backdrop of the soaring snowy peaks of the Visitor mountain range. The lake is frozen from at least the end of December to the end of February, attracting locals and visitors for ice skating and other fun winter activities.
Several hiking trails start near Lake Plav and, depending on your skill and fitness levels, you can choose between leisurely mountain walks and more challenging multi-hour hikes. The hike up to Lake Hrid is relatively easy and can be completed within 90 minutes when starting at the trailhead in Bajrovica Katun.
Lake Hrid is part of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail and sits at an altitude of 1970 meters. It is engulfed by the peaks of Hridski Krs (2358m) and Krs Bogicevica (2374m) which are accessible via hiking trails as well. On the other side sits Mount Visitor, offering four summits exceeding 2,000 meters and making it one of the most popular hiking destinations in the region alongside the Prokletije peaks.
Climbing Mount Visitor is actually the far better choice if you are after a picture-perfect panorama of Lake Plav, the Plav-Gusinje valley, and the beautiful Lim River. Following the marked trails, you can reach the highest peak at 2211 meters in a strenuous one-hour hike. If you start from Lake Visitor (also accessible by offroader), it’s a scenic 90-minute hike from there, and there are plenty of raspberries along the way.
Hotels and Accommodation
There are only a handful of very modest 3-star family-run hotels around the lake. The Lakeside Camping site offers accommodation in caravans and has also pitches at a very affordable rate. Plav’s town center is within footwalk distance from there. The Holiday Cottages & Food Plav are rustic chalets near the Holy Trinity Monastery that offer great year-round accommodation that fits perfectly within the landscape.
Surrounding the lake are dozens of guesthouses and eco-lodges where you can meet Montenegro’s hospitality, spirit, and customs in a peaceful ambiance. These places are heaven for fresh homemade food and hosts often include a food option, too. Experience local specialties first-hand such as Kacamak, Kajmak, Cicvara, and Baked Trout in Cheese.