Prokletije National Park

National Park Remote Balkan national park with dramatic peaks

Part of the Prokletije range on Montenegro’s borderlands, the national park offers steep peaks, remote trails and glacial valleys-favoured by mountaineers, hikers and backcountry campers.

Main image

Prokletije National Park protects the rugged, high-mountain terrain of the Prokletije or Accursed Mountains in northeastern Montenegro within Gusinje Municipality. The park includes steep limestone and granite peaks, glacial valleys and high alpine habitats that support diverse flora and fauna.

The area is prized for high-altitude hiking, mountaineering and wilderness scenery; the range contains sharply rising peaks and remote ridges, with the highest Montenegrin summit in the range reaching 2,534 metres. Trails and mountain routes vary from valley walks to sustained climbs requiring alpine experience.

The park was designated to protect the distinctive mountain landscapes and biodiversity of the Accursed Mountains and to regulate use by visitors and pastoral activities. It conserves traditional pastoral territories and alpine meadows alongside the wild mountain environment.

Prokletije National Park sits close to Montenegro’s border with Albania and is accessed from the local towns of Gusinje and Plav; the nearest settled places are small mountain communities and mountain huts used as bases for routes into the park.

  • Access routes: Most approaches start from the towns of Gusinje or Plav where trailheads and mountain guides are available for higher routes.

What to See #

  • Zla Kolata (highest peak): The mountain peak Zla Kolata reaches 2,534 metres and is the highest point on Montenegro's side of the Prokletije range; it lies on the border with Albania.
Prokletije National Park
Prokletije National Park, Gusinje Municipality, Montenegro
42.5317, 19.9139
Open year-round
Entrance free (park entry). Guided climbs and hut bookings vary.

How to Get to Prokletije National Park #

The two main gateways from Montenegro are the towns of Plav and Gusinje. From Podgorica (Montenegro’s capital) drive northeast on E65/E80 toward Berane, then follow regional roads to Plav (about 2.5-3 hours by car). From Podgorica there are also seasonal minibuses to Plav/Gusinje. From the Albanian side, the towns of Theth and Valbona act as trailheads for southern approaches. Once in Plav or Gusinje, local guides and guesthouses will arrange transfers to trailheads and huts.

Tips for Visiting Prokletije National Park #

  • Hire a local guide for multi-day traverses - the terrain is steep, the weather changes fast.
  • If attempting peaks such as Zla Kolata, start before dawn; the ascent can take 8-10 hours round-trip from nearby huts.
  • Bring a good map and GPX route; many trails are unmarked and cell coverage is patchy - ask in Gusinje or Plav about seasonal stream crossings.

Best Time to Visit Prokletije National Park #

Best visited late spring through early autumn for walking and climbing; winter is for experienced mountaineers only.

Summer (June-August)
Jun-Aug · 5-20°C
Warmest, longest days and the best window for high passes and long treks; alpine meadows are in bloom.
Late Spring / Early Autumn (May, Sep-Oct)
May; Sep-Oct · 0-15°C
Fewer hikers and dramatic light on the ridges, but nights can drop below freezing and sudden snow is possible at higher elevation.
Winter (Nov-Apr)
Nov-Apr · -10-5°C
Heavy snow, avalanche risk; suitable only for experienced mountaineers with proper equipment.

Weather & Climate near Prokletije National Park #

Climate

Prokletije National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -8°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1081 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 48 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-8°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-8° -1°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

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