Snowshoe trail from Black Lake to Savin kuk
A marked winter trail from Black Lake to the Savin kuk ski centre above Žabljak: 6.7 km one way, about 268 m of ascent, about 2 hours, graded easy; snowshoes and poles are hired at the park visitor centre and the ski centre.
Black Lake to Savin kuk, Žabljak · About 2 h one way (6.7 km)
Photo: Calistemon · CC BY-SA 4.0
The snowshoe trail from Black Lake to the Savin kuk ski centre is Durmitor's marked winter walk: 6.7 km one way, about 268 m of ascent and about 2 hours, graded easy. Snowshoes and poles are hired in Žabljak at the national park visitor centre and at the ski centre, €4 for snowshoes and €3 for poles. The season for snowshoeing and ski touring in Montenegro runs from December to March.
Key facts
| Route | Black Lake to Savin kuk ski centre, linear (one way) |
| Length | 6.7 km |
| Ascent | about 268 m |
| Time | about 2 h |
| Grade | easy |
| Marking | marked winter trail |
| Season | December-March |
| Hire | snowshoes €4, poles €3 |
The route
The trail is linear. It starts at Black Lake on the edge of Žabljak and climbs about 268 m over 6.7 km to the Savin kuk ski centre: a gentle gradient, which is why it is graded easy and takes about 2 hours. Walking back the same way makes it roughly 13 km and 4 hours; the alternative is a ride back to Žabljak from the ski centre.
Hiring snowshoes
Snowshoes cost €4 and poles €3 to hire, at two places:
- Durmitor National Park visitor centre, Jovana Cvijića bb, Žabljak, 052 360 228.
- Savin kuk ski centre (TC Durmitor), 052/363-036.
When to go
December to March is the season for snowshoeing and ski touring in Montenegro. Outside the snow months the same lake is the start of the summer walks on the hiking in Durmitor page.
Getting there
Both ends are reached from Žabljak: the trail starts at Black Lake and ends at the Savin kuk ski centre, whose lifts, status and access are on the ski resort page.
Safety
Check the weather, the snow depth and the trail conditions before setting off. The emergency number is 112.
Nearby
The trail ends at the Savin kuk ski resort; the Savin kuk viewpoint is at the top of the lifts. In summer the lake is the start of the walks on the hiking in Durmitor page, inside Durmitor National Park; the skiing hub has the other winter pages.
Questions
How long does it take?
About 2 hours one way for 6.7 km; about 4 hours there and back.
Where do I hire snowshoes?
At the park visitor centre in Žabljak (052 360 228) or at the Savin kuk ski centre (052/363-036): €4 for snowshoes and €3 for poles.
Is it a loop?
No. It is linear, from the lake to the ski centre; walk back the same way or get a ride from the ski centre.
Highlights
- 6.7 km, about 268 m of ascent, about 2 h
- Marked winter trail, graded easy
- Snowshoes €4, poles €3 to hire in Žabljak
- Season December-March