Lovćen (Lovcen), Montenegro

Lovćen (Lovcen) highlights

Known for nature, park, viewpoint

Lovcen is a mountain and national park in southwestern Montenegro. It is the inspiration behind the name of Montenegro which means in Serbian language Crna Gora. The Lovcen National park covers an area of 6.220 ha and encompasses the central and the highest part of the mountain massif.

Other places in Montenegro that we are familiar with

Bar - Known for coastal town, fortress, marina, medieval old town, ruines, seaport, viewpoint

Besac - Known for fortress, viewpoint

Budva - Known for coastal town, marina, medieval old town, monument, museum, promenade, venetian empire

Dajbabe - Known for cave, orthodox monastery

Kotor - Known for coastal town, fortified town, fortress, marina, museum, promenade, venetian empire, viewpoint, orthodox church, catholic cathedral, franciscan church; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nikšić (Niksic) - Known for orthodox cathedral

Ostrog - Known for viewpoint, orthodox monastery

Perast - Known for coastal town, island, venetian empire, catholic church, benedictin monastery; coastal town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Risan - Known for beach, coastal town, mosaic, museum, promenade, roman empire; archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sveti Stefan - Known for beach, coastal town, island, promenade, resort, viewpoint

Tivat - Known for beach, coastal town, marina, promenade, orthodox cathedral

Last reviewed: 17 November 2022

Lovćen (Lovcen) description

Mount Lovcen is the inspiration behind the name of Montenegro which means in Serbian language Crna Gora, and it was first mentioned in a charter issued by Stefan Milutin in 1276. The name Montenegro deriving from the appearance of Mount Lovcen when covered in dense forests.

Mount Lovcen rises from the borders of the Adriatic basin, closing the long and twisting bays of Boka Kotorska and making the hinterland to the coastal town of Kotor. The mountain has two imposing peaks, Stirovnik 1,749 meters and Jezerski vrh 1,657 meters.

The mountain slopes are rocky, with numerous fissures, pits and deep depressions giving its scenery a specific look. Lovcen stands on the border between two completely different natural wholes, the sea and the mainland, and so it is under the influence of both climates. The specific connection of the life conditions has caused the development of the different biological systems. There are 1,158 plant species on Lovcen, four of which are endemic.

The Lovcen was proclaimed as a national park in 1952. Besides Lovcen's natural features, the significant historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the area are protected by the national park. The area has numerous elements of national construction. The old village houses are authentic as well as the cottages and summer settlements of cattlebreeders.

A particular architectural relic worth mentioning is the road, winding uphill from Kotor to the village of Njegusi, the birthplace of Montenegro's royal family, the House of Petrovic.

The biggest and most important monument of Lovćen national park is Petar Petrović Njegos's Mausoleum constructed in 1971. The location for his burial place and the mausoleum at the summit of Jezerski vrh was chosen by Njegos himself as his last wish.

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Kotor Serpentine

Kotor Serpentine is one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world. It belong to the 36.3 km long road running from the base of the Lovcen mountain to one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays, Kotor, a Venetian city of traders and famous sailors.

The road is mostly a narrow one-lane road offering stunning views of Kotor from above through 30 hairpin turns. The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. Ideal time to travel is daylight. Not adviced night drive. With inward leaning concrete barriers on one side and jagged rock on the other, multiple vehicles may have to reverse their way back up the road when meeting a bus or construction vehicle coming the other way.

The most famous section of the road is called Kotor Serpentine: an 8.3 km long stretch, pretty steep, with 16 hairpin turns. Along this section, the road starts at an elevation of 458 meters above the sea level, and ends at 881 meters. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 423 meters.

The views are spectacular and particular the morning light gives this landscape an indescribable touch. This road has been featured on Top Gear and high-end auto commercials. The road offers great views of Boka Bay.

Lovćen (Lovcen) related tours

We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Lovćen (Lovcen) during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Lovćen (Lovcen).

We have developed several private tours that visiting beautiful Lovćen (Lovcen). But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. We charge nothing for develop a custom itinerary. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.

All seasons 17 days outdoor tour exploring Bosnia +Montenegro +Albania from Sarajevo. The Balkans outdoor tour: scenic roads, parks with waterfalls, hilly fortresses. all seasons tour 17 days Price from € 3,562 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina tour finishes in: Tirana, Albania tour duration: 17 days (16 nights) tour countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro tour destinations: Apollonia, Bar, Berat, Blagaj, Bosnian Pyramids, Budva, Dajbabe, Divjakë, Durrës, Jajce, Kakanj, Ključ, Kotor, Kraljeva Sutjeska, Kravica, Krujë, Lezhë, Livno, Lovćen, Međugorje, Mogorjelo, Mostar, Perast, Počitelj, Radimlja, Risan, Shkodër, Stolac, Travnik, Trebinje, Tvrdoš, Una National Park, Vjetrenica, Zavala, Šćit All seasons 17 days outdoor exploring tour across the Balkans to discover 3 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania. The tour require good physical condition due to the more than usual tour walking, include walking in steep hills. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the tour will cover historical center of Sarajevo, visit controversial but famous Bosnian Pyramids, walks inside fortresses Travnik, Jajce, Blagaj, Kljuc and Stolac, walks in parks with waterfalls, climb narrow streets of medieval town Pocitelj and Mostar, visit several monasteries and museums. In Montenegro, we going to see medieval Venetian towns Kotor and Budva, hilly fortrees Kotor, ancient settlement Stari Bar, use scenic Kotor serpentine road to visit Lovcen National park, see monastery in Budva and cave monastery Dajbabe, visit picturesque coastal town Perast and its island's church, and admire ancient Greek mosaic in the Risan museum. In Albania, we need to see fortresses in Shkoder, Lezhe, Berat and Tirana, fortified town Kruje, Apollonia archaeological site, Divjake park and beach, and walk in Durres historical center. Prepare yourself for scenic roads, panoramic views from the hills and mountains, climbing on walls of Ottoman fortress and castles, taste local food and local wine, visit few UNESCO World Heritage sites, and all that across three Balkans countries definitely worth to see. Depend on the time of year and whether condition, some places like Lovcen national park and Una national park can be unavailable due to the heavy snow. This tour can be extended for the adventure with a herd of real wild horses. Ask us for that!