Montenegro
4×4 Family Vibes

After picking up the Lada, you will soon leave the capital and hit the brand new motorway towards Kolasin, the town that serves as a hub into the Bjelasica mountains. Soon we will now swop asphalt for mountain roads as we climb above the treeline. Expect 2-3 very scenic hours. Every now and then you will pass a katun, a summer village where shepherd families and their cattle spent the summer months. It the point where Lada cannot go any further you will reach katun Senica. This amazing guesthouse is run by 2 brothers. You will be sleeping comfortably in a private room for the first 2 nights of your 4×4 adventure and home made food is provided.

After breakfast you return to the valley along the same route for about an 40 minutes and then drive up the mountain that separates Montenegro from Kosovo. This is a very scenic and sometimes challenging ride that will take all morning. Just before the border lies Katun Cakor, the most rural of all the Katuns where you will stay. The people at katun Cakor like it when you lend a hand on the farm. There is always a job to do and Shepherdess Gordana invites you to roll up your sleeves. Pitch your tents in the designated meadow, that is fenced to keep the cows away. At an altitude of almost 2000m you will enjoy a view westward that guarantee an amazing sunset here. Again, lovely homemade food is provided. Please note sanitary facilities here are basic.

We descend via a more common road and so we are back in the valley much faster than we were at the top. We climb back up again via the town of Plav. A very beautiful climb awaits you to the border triangle between Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. A short walk to that point is also an option. And Lake Hridsko is also practically on the route. Highly recommended for a quick swim at almost 2000m altitude.

Ultimately you arrive in katun Bajrovic, where you will be warmly welcomed by Samel and his mother, who together run the katun here. Expect a festive farm-to-table dinner with a great view. You sleep in your (roof) tent and can use the central sanitary facilities.

Gearing up for a bit more comfort! This ride is the longest on your journey and connects the mountains of Prokletije with Montengero’s most famous  national park; Durmitor. The first section follows the main road, but it wouldn’t be a Montenegro 4×4 Adventure had we not discovered a nice little detour over the mountains later on today; a scenic ride over the Stozer plateau. Via the bridge over river Tara (try the zipline if you dare!) you will reach your wooden Durmitor lodge where you will have a little break from driving. This is your home for the next 3 nights.

The lodge has enough beds to fit in all of you and a private bathroom & kitchen. Meals are not provided here but Zabljak has a decent shop where you can buy supplies. During your stay in Durmitor we will encourage you to try a few of the hikes we have designed for you (from easy going to serious full day hikes). Or try a guided ferrata climb (+ € 60,00), a day on the e-MTB (+€ 45,00) or the long version of the Tara Rafting experience (+ € 130,00).

Via the northern side of Durmitor national park you continue driving towards the Piva Lake. You will first pass Montenegro’s highest village, equally called Crna Gora (lit.: Montenegro) The descend towards the Tara river is again on scenic gravel roads. Early afternoon you reach the border town of Scepan Polje where an optional afternoon rafting can be booked (+€ 75,00). Then head on to a lovely little campsite on the shores of Piva river. Pitch your Lada on the waterfront and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. And don’t miss the fresh grilled trout at the camps restaurant. If you consider booking an extra night here, we will propose a nice hike to a nearby mountain lake for you. Or you can simply spend a lazy day on the shore sof the lake, swimming, SUP’ing and enjoying a long lunch in one of the restaurants.

You will spend the last 2 days of your trip in coastal Montenegro. By lunchtime you should reach the shores of the Adriatic in the bay of Kotor. Forests, rivers and mountains make way for Mediterranean vibes. Instead of sheep & cheese there will be fresh fish on your menu tonight. Before the final descend into the bay we recommend making a little detour to the fortress of sveti Andrija. It requires a dramatic ride and a short hike but the views over the bay are very rewarding.

The nights are spent on a small campsite with a beach nearby and our favourite restaurant on the Montenegrin littoral is located within walking distance. A lovely pebble beach with beach bear is located just across the road. You will have plenty of time to explore the ancient towns of Perast and Kotor. Do consider an extra night here if you want more time to fully enjoy all this beauty. For off-road fanatics we have described a nice circular ride over mount Orjen, again with hiking options here and there to stretch the legs.