Piva Natural Park
The Piva Nature Park is one of the most beautiful sights in Montenegro. It borders the Durmitor National Park.
The region offers a very interesting destination during a trip to Montenegro. It is part of the Piva region and is close to the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina. It owes its name to Lake Piva with its enchanting turquoise waters.
Nature park and national park
The Piva Nature Park is an extension of the Durmitor National Park in the north of Montenegro, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Both protected areas are also worth seeing on a study trip. Both areas will be opened up by a new tourist route. Over 80 km, travelers discover the highest peaks in the country and the deepest gorge in Europe. In addition, the Durmitor mountain range is a popular destination for tourists and is often used for winter sports activities in the cold season. But hikers also get their money’s worth here all year round.
The most beautiful sights
The area around Lake Piva is suitable for a visit in both summer and winter. Especially in summer it is often used to escape the Montenegrin heat. Particularly worth seeing natural beauties are the Piva lake and the Piva river with its imposing gorge. Lake Piva was artificially created and was created in 1976 after a dam was built. With its crystal clear water, it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. From the 220 meter high dam, visitors can expect a fantastic view of the river on the other side.
More lakes
Also worth a visit are the Trnovacko lake, which is shaped like a heart, and the Skrcka lakes, which can only be reached on foot. But they are among the most popular hiking areas in Montenegro.
What can be done?
The region is known for its wonderful idyllic landscape, in which numerous activities can be undertaken. In addition, Lake Piva is considered a perfect fishing spot. Hikers are busy all day long exploring the impressive mountains such as the Durmitor. Other attractive leisure options include rafting, kayaking, swimming, horse riding, bike tours and a jeep safari.
Durmitor National Park
Image: Durmitor Mountains
The breathtaking Durmitor National Park in Montenegro was formed by glaciers and is crisscrossed by underground streams and rivers. Along the Tara Gorge, which is considered to be the deepest European gorge, the dense forests are interspersed with clear lakes and are home to a large selection of rare plants and animals.
Durmitor is a breathtaking limestone massif in the north of Montenegro that belongs to the Dinaric Alps or Dinarides. It is also the name of Montenegro’s largest protected area, Durmitor National Park, which forms the heart of a landscape shaped by glaciers. Underground streams and numerous rivers are embedded in the much larger biosphere reserve of the Tara River. About fifty peaks, which are more than 2,000 meters above sea level, rise above plateaus, mountain meadows and forests. Numerous glacial lakes, known as “mountain eyes”, cover the landscape.
Despite its many attractions, Durmitor National Park is best known for the spectacular gorges of the Draga, Komarnica, SuĊĦica and Tara rivers. The latter is considered to be the deepest gorge in Europe. Durmitor is a popular tourist destination and is known for ideal hiking, climbing, mountaineering and canoeing opportunities. The nearby town of Zabljak is Montenegro’s main ski resort.
Flora and fauna in the park
In addition to the extraordinary natural beauty and fascinating geological heritage, Durmitor National Park is also home to impressive biodiversity. Favored by the difference in altitude of more than 2,000 meters and the climatic influences of the mountains and the Mediterranean, there are more than 1,600 vascular plants in the broader Durmitor massif. A large percentage can be found in the park and many are rare and endemic species. Large mammals such as brown bears, gray wolves and European wild cats live here. The 130 registered birds include golden eagles, peregrine falcons and the capercaillie. Also noteworthy is the rich fish fauna, which includes the endangered Danube salmon.
How can you discover the region?
A new tourist route leads through the Durmitor Mountains. You can admire panorama after panorama by car for around 80 km. The route leads through the Durmitor National Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, and the Piva Nature Park.
