Prokletije National Park National Park

Address: Prokletije National Park, Gusinje Municipality, Montenegro

Website: https://nparkovi.me/en/national-parks/prokletije/

Hours: Open year-round

Admission: Entrance free (park entry). Guided climbs and hut bookings vary.

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.

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.

• 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.