Montenegro is a study of extreme parts brought together to form an exquisite whole. This little Balkan This country, bordered by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania in Southeast Europe, offers great adventure. Its varied landscape includes magnificent jagged mountain ranges that rise to nearly 8,300 feet and the Adriatic Sea on its southwest border. The fjord-like coastline, highlighted by the bay or Kotor, is juxtaposed with the red tiled roofs characteristic of the Mediterranean. From Europe’s deepest gorges, the Tara River canyon, to its dizzying peaks, Montenegro is every explorer’s paradise… whether adventure junkie, foodie or history buff.
Specialized tourist outfitter, Black Mountain is owned and operated by Hayley Wright and Jack Delf. The duo and their team work to create trips for specialist groups such as mountaineering associations and birding clubs, in addition to a number of direct tours. As an outdoor adventure company, the guides are committed to creating strong cultural interactions during tourism activities while leaving minimal impact to ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Wright says Black Mountain works to “connect guests with local guides, local accommodation providers, and local restaurants” in order to re-enter the local economy.
Giving back to the community is an integral part of Black Mountain’s philosophy. The company organizes an annual adventure race, which has since been organized by a triathlon club supported by the company. Each year, proceeds from the race benefit a local charity or youth project. To experience all that Montenegro has to offer with a philanthropic touch, Paste the journey recommends these three circuits highlighting this beautiful country which mixes the traditions of the East and the West.
Hike the Via Dinarica mega-trail
THE Via Dinarica is a 1,000-mile hiking trail connecting eight countries in the Western Balkans. Montenegro lies approximately halfway along this cultural corridor. The result of a regional collaborative effort between private operators, the trail brings together its members within the Via Dinarica Alliance. As a member of the Montenegrin Alliance, Black Mountain offers an eight-day stay hiking from the mountains of Montenegro and Durmitor National Park to Sarajevo, Bosnia. This route visits isolated highland communities and follows ancient trade routes to offer travelers insight into cultures and traditions.
Visit the Bay of Kotor
Kotor Old Town is a picturesque medieval village protected as UNESCO A World Heritage Site since 1979. Ideal for architecture enthusiasts and historians, this tour includes stops at St. Tryphon Cathedral and the Maritime Museum. Built in 1166, St. Tryphon Cathedral contains 700-year-old frescoes and a unique collection of works by Kotor’s master craftsmen. The maritime museum showcases the region’s extensive naval tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. At its peak, the fleet reached three hundred ships in the 18th century and stood as a rival to both the Croatian city-state of Dubrovnik and Italian Venice.
Night rafting in the Tara River canyon
Enjoy the warm months between May and September with an exhilarating trip down the Tara River. THE starting point in Durmitor National Park takes adrenaline seekers to the deepest depths of the canyon (the second deepest in the world behind the Grand Canyon), where the walls are so steep that the only way out is to take a raft. Through twenty-five miles of wilderness, paddle to the sound of waves and rapids. Enjoy the view with a lunch break by the river. After about six hours of rafting, dinner awaits you at the cabin camp. Relax around a campfire while enjoying traditional dishes and admiring the beautiful natural scenery.
Whatever the experience, be sure to interact and connect with local Montenegrins. Wright notes that their “warmth, hospitality, pride in country, traditions, and food” welcome strangers in a way that will leave travelers wanting to return.
Top image: Trish Hartmann, CC-BY
Molly Harris is a freelance writer based in Athens, Georgia.