Lovcen National Park
Wedged between the stunning Bay of Kotor and the former Royal Capital Cetinje, Mount Lovcen features two imposing peaks – the Stirovik at 1,749 meters and the Jezerski Vrh at 1,657 meters altitude. It makes up a beautiful karst landscape with rocky mountain slopes and countless fissures and pits.
The Lovcen lies in the middle of two climate zones: the Mediterranean and the Continental which makes it unique compared to the other National Parks in Montenegro.
source: Cetinje Travel
The Lovcen mountain is probably the most important in Montenegro’s history. The country’s rich history was heavily influenced by this particular and magical ‘Black Mountain’, a name given to the Lovcen to describe its topography at sunset.
This narrative later made its way into the future country name for Montenegro which translates into ‘Country of Black Mountains’.
Is Lovcen National Park worth visiting?
Yes, the Lovcen National Park is a must-visit if you are visiting from May till the end of October. Even if you cannot have the same sentimental affiliation with the Lovcen as a local would have, it is still worth exploring for its impressive and unique mountainscape.
Njegos, the country’s most famous poet and statesman who ruled Montenegro in the 19th century, choose the Lovcen as his eternal burying site. You won’t get better social proof than that.
Many come primarily to see the Njegos Mausoleum which adorned the peak of Jezerski Vrh at 1,657 meters above sea level. But the Lovcen National Park has so much more to offer, particularly to families with children and nature enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, and having fun in Adventure Park are some of the most popular pursuits. You can also rent ATVs and buggies.
The national park is easily accessible from all major Montenegrin towns and cities on a day trip.
Ivanova Korita
The Ivanova Korita Valley is a lush green oasis halfway to Mount Lovcen from Cetinje. It is named after the 15th-century ruler of Montenegro, Ivan Crnojevic. This was the same Ivan who lay the foundations for nearby Cetinje.
Due to its elevation of 1,250 meters, it is the ideal location for all sorts of outdoor activities. This area is particularly popular with Montenegrins: it is one of their favorite day retreats and weekend getaway locations. There are fixed tables, open-air barbeque spots, and public toilets free of charge.
source: Cetinje Travel
Adventure Park
Looking to occupy your children for a couple of hours? The rope park near the visitor center of Lovcen National Park might tick all your boxes. The small Adventure Park has a series of ropes trails for you to navigate, all varying in difficulty, depending on age, ability, and experience.
source: Ivanova Korita
- White, Yellow, and Orange: 4 – 8 years (8€)
- Green, Blue, Purple: 9 – 13 years (12€)
- Black: 14+ (18€)
It makes up for a great family activity because every family member can choose according to his ability. Each trail features dozens of obstacles, some easier and some harder to tackle. Luckily, there are trained instructors on site who can assist.
Info: Some of the zip lines are long in the tooth and would need soon-to-be replacement.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm (May – October)
Hotel Ivanov Konak
The 4-star Hotel Ivanov Konak caters to families, and organized summer and winter children’s vacations, and sports teams. The main hotel building is separated from the recreational-educational center where the children and sports teams are hosted in a more motel-like lodging.
The rustic accommodation options in the main building are comfortable and spacious. They might not be to everyone’s taste because of the dark wooden ceilings and unsophisticated decor but at least they come across as intimate and homely.
source: Hotel Ivanov Konak
All rooms are equipped with a minibar, wifi, and cable TV. Should you consider staying here, take the Studio with Balcony – the panoramic views of the Lovcen are fantastic.
There is another building as part of the Ivanov Konak Hotel, King Nikola’s former Villa Palac. The villa might be an interesting option if you travel with a large group. It has a spacious garden and patio with barbeque facilities and offers abundant privacy.
Hotel Restaurant and Bar
The traditional interior of the hotel restaurant centers around two beautiful fireplaces that immediately induce a feeling of warmth. On the menu, you can expect traditional Montenegrin cuisine along with international specialties. If you visit in the warmer months, you probably will rather choose a spot on one of the extensive outdoor terraces.
source: Ivanov Konak
What we have experienced were big portion sizes and fresh ingredients. The service quality needs improvement, however. The blooming red roses and the carefully landscaped garden make you feel as if you were visiting a good friend or family.
Kraljicin Vrt Cafe
Just opposite the hotel, you will find the enticing Kraljicin Vrt (Queen’s Garden) cafe which also serves surprisingly good pizza. Sitting on the shaded terrace is tranquilizing. In spring and summer, you will just hear the birds chirping and nothing else.
Hotel Monte Rosa
The 4-star Monte Rosa mountain hotel is your next best bet if you consider staying overnight in the national park. It is just a 10-minute walk from the visitor center and the Hotel Ivanov Konak. From some of its rooms, you can even see the Njegos Mausoleum.
In terms of amenities, it comes with a swimming pool and a sauna. It is rustic in design and some fixtures and facilities are a bit dated. This is not a luxury hotel after all but it does the job.
The hotel’s extensive outdoor terrace offers a panoramic view of the surroundings and is popular with passing bikers. They serve decent local cuisine and portion sizes are larger than average.
Prices start at 69€ per night for the double room.
Flora & Fauna in the National Park
The Lovcen National Park is especially rich in plant life with even some endemic species such as the Lovcen Bellflower and the Viburnum maculatum. It also produces optimum living conditions for medicinal herbs and teas. You can find Wormwood, the Mountain Germander, lemon balm, and St. John’s in the meadows and slopes of the national park.
photo: showing Lovcen Bellflowers
In terms of wildlife, the well-protected habitat promotes natural diversity. On the 62 square kilometers of reservation area, there exist various small and larger mammals such as wild boars, wolfs, bears, and foxes.
The Cultural Heritage
The Lovcen cultural heritage is dominated by old traditional stone and wood architecture. Most notably, driving around the national park, you will come across many quaint small churches, stone cottages, and Guvnas, i.e. communal gathering places.
source: Cetinje Travel
Formerly, the Guvnas were a sort of status symbol – the bigger and better decorated, the more it said about the wellbeing of a family or hamlet. Each village possessed a good deal of them.
One could also argue that the old narrow caravan route from Kotor via Njegusi constituted cultural heritage for the people of the Lovcen region. This was like the Montenegrin silk road and the only connection between Kotor and the country’s interior.
Entrance fee: 3,00 €
Njegos Mausoleum
Without a doubt, the Njegos Mausoleum makes up the most significant landmark on the territory of the Lovcen National Park. Towering atop the Jezerski Vrh mountain peak at an altitude of 1,657 meters, the observation deck offers one of the most incredible views of the whole country including Lake Skadar and the Croatian borderland.
Hiking & Biking
The terrain within the borders of the national park is ideal for outdoor adventurers, offering several well-marked hiking trails and mountain biking trails with different levels of difficulty. You can rent bikes and hiking gear at the visitor center. There, you’ll also be able to hire a guide and get a hiking map.
Wolf Trail & Babina Glava
The Lovcen Wolf Trail is the most popular hiking trail, starting at the Hotel Ivanov Konak and taking roughly 3 hours to complete. The path will walk through a beautiful beech forest and continues uphill to the Babina Glava peak. From here you have breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and the Budva and Tivat Riviera.
Besides the Wolf Trail, there are several other well-marked trails such as the Njegos Mausoleum Trail and the hike to the Krstac Pass.
Tip: Hike early to avoid the burning sun in the afternoon hours and take plenty of water with you.
Lovcen National Park in Winter
Though most people visit the Lovcen National Park during the summer months, it is also a popular winter destination, especially for families with children. When the first snow has fallen, the younger generation will most likely already have prepared their sleds and winter gear.
Lovcen National Park from Kotor
If you have the chance, start your trip to the Lovcen National Park in Kotor. That way you can also experience the Kotor Serpentine Road which gives you very beautiful lookout points of Kotor Bay including the San Giovanni Fortress and its ancient city walls.
That way you will also come across the small hamlet of Njegusi, the birthplace of Njegos who is still considered to have been one of the best south Slavic poets. Today, it is more popular for its excellent ham and cheese production. The savory prosciutto is produced using techniques and methods that have been passed down through generations.
From Kotor, it is just a short drive – less than one hour without breaks. But it would be a pity if you did not pause at least three times on the way to admire the incredible landscape and to take some pictures.
Info: Public Transportation options are limited.