Crno-Jezero in Montenegro: description and rest

In many corners of our planet you can find unique natural sights, preserved in its pristine beauty striking the imagination. A country of lakes and forests, Montenegro will be able to surprise a seasoned traveler with exactly protected areas with unique objects. The most famous and visited is the reserve Durtomir in the northern part of the country, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the mountainous glacial lake Crno-Ezero (translated into Russian - Black Lake) located on its territory attracts many tourists all year round.

The lake is located at an altitude of 1416 m at the foot of the Bear Mountain, 3 km from the resort town of Zabljak in the territory of the municipality of the same name. Locals call the reservoir "mountain eyes" for its unusual shape. According to an ancient legend, Saint Sava, who visited these places, was offended by the locals by the unfair accusation of stealing a rooster.

The angry saint wished the settlement to go underground and become a black lake, as a result of which two interconnected reservoirs formed at the place of the monastery and the village that had disappeared into the abyss.

The lake, which is considered the coldest in the Balkans, is fed by mountain springs and melt waters and consists of two parts: the Big and Small Lakes, which are connected by a small strait about 60 meters in length.

In winter, the black lake freezes, and in summer, in the dry and hot weather, the strait dries out, and the shallowed Crno-Jezero is divided into two separate parts.

Besides, The large lake with an area of ​​0.6 km² has a maximum depth of 25 meters, and the Small Lake, being three times smaller in area, reaches 50 meters in depth. At the same time, the water in the lakes is so transparent that with favorable weather the visibility reaches 10 meters. The dark emerald, almost black color of water is created by the reflection of a dense array of coniferous trees surrounding the black lake around the perimeter.

Copper present in the composition gives a greenish tint to the water. Silence, the mirror smooth surface of water, century-old trees, the harsh majesty of the mountains, foggy canyons make it possible to create a meditative atmosphere of detachment from the rest of the world.

Durdomir Park, on whose territory Crno-Jezero is located, is a protected forest with predominantly coniferous vegetation and a variety of water bodies, alternating with mountain meadows.

Depending on the time of year, the landscape of the park varies. Mountain streams, the largest of which are Mlyn, crossing the terrain, turn into picturesque waterfalls in the spring after the snow melts, and the glades around them are covered with spring flowers. In the summer, many berries appear in the woods - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and closer to autumn - mushrooms.

The temperate climate and lack of summer heat create an attractive resort area on the Crno-Ezero coastline for both locals and many tourists. The air temperature in summer here does not exceed + 20-22 ° C, and the water in the lake remains cool - lower than the air temperature by 4 ° C.

Rest here is possible the most diverse. Fans of sunbathing and swimming will enjoy the soft sun and the purest refreshing water. Boating will allow you to explore the lake at the maximum depth level, as well as enjoy fishing.In Crno-Ezero there is a trout of various species - lake, California. Fishing is paid, it requires a special license, the organization of fishing separately negotiated with the local caretaker. For catching without permission from the violator will be charged a significant fine.

3 km from Crno-Jezero there is a small Snake Lake, located at the source of the Mlinsky stream. This is a very convenient place for a picnic, equipped with benches and gazebos a little away from the mass routes. Fans of hiking will get to this paradise from the Black Lake in 1.5 hours.

Not far from Crno-Ezero there is a playground and a restaurant where you can taste local cuisine, for example, delicious and nourishing Montenegrin chorbu soup, dishes from different types of meat, cheeses, musaka-type vegetable dishes, and taste freshly caught trout.

You can also get acquainted with local wines, the most popular of which is wine "Vranac", the local beer "Nik" and "Nikshichko", from stronger drinks - local moonshine lozovach or brandy.

For dessert, the Montenegrin favorite drink is offered - coffee with various pies and sweets.

For lovers of the most active recreation is offered climbing. to Bear Mountain and climb to the highest peak - Bobotov Kuk, which height is 2523 meters.

Also in the mountains you can see another of the wonders of Montenegro - Ice cave. Since the entrance to it is located on a steep, inaccessible slope and covered with snow throughout the year, it is recommended to visit it in the summer, accompanied by an experienced instructor. Inside the cave you can see an extraordinary natural museum of ice sculptures - stalactites and stalagmites, created in the form of columns with beautiful ornaments.

The cave consists of several corridors with a total length of about 100 meters, the largest is a hall 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. The cave is constantly dripping with the purest icy water that can be collected in a flask on the way back.

Coordinates Crno-Ezero - 43 ° 08′43 ″ with. sh. and 19 ° 05′23 ″ c. e. Entry to the reserve is 3 euros.

You can get to the place in different ways.

• On a rented car. From Budva to Zhavlyak can be reached in 4.5 hours. It is necessary to leave early in the morning, as there will be many picturesque places along the way that you will want to see and be sure to plan an overnight stay in Zhavlyak.
• By bus from Budva or Kotor. There are no direct flights to Zhavlyak, it will be necessary to make a transfer to Podgorica or Niksic.
• With a group of tourists on the tour bus, looking around 2 or 3 canyons, with Russian guides, guided tours are held from April to October.
• With an individual guide on their own vehicles.

The nearest town to the Durdomir Park, where you can stay overnight, is the resort town of Zhavlyak, the highest mountain village in the Balkans. It is a center of mountain sports and entertainment.

You can rent a room in one of the more than 150 hotels in the city for every taste and budget - from small chalets to larger and more comfortable hotels. Zhavlyak resort is a real mecca for mountain fans. At any time of the year you can find a lesson for the soul and for the season. At your service:

• mountaineering;
• skiing;
• rafting (carried out in the canyon of the Tara River to a depth of 1.3 km);
• hiking.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable journey to the pearl of Montenegro - Durdomir reserve, and you will want to return to these fabulous places more than once.

The whole truth about Black Lake in Montenegro, see below.