Lakes on Durmitor
The beauty of the Durmitor massif is given special charm by 18 glacial lakes, called mountain eyes, at heights above 1500 m.
Observing the picturesque panorama of the Durmitor area, one cannot help but think about the creation of this dramatic landscape and the influence of powerful natural forces that participated in its formation. The lakes, with their clear, green-blue tones, give it a special character, because they are inevitable in all their impressiveness, the peace and quiet they bring to the space dominated by rocky cliffs, sharp, sky-facing peaks, gorges, canyons, meadows and pastures.
Below we give you brief descriptions of some of Durmitor's lakes.
Crno jezero
(Black Lake)
Three kilometers southwest of Žabljak, with which it is connected by an asphalt road, is located CRNO JEZERO, the largest and most famous lake of Durmitor and the second largest mountain lake in Montenegro by surface area and one of the symbols of this region. It is located under the gigantic Međed peak, as a guardian and protector, and is covered with dense conifers, which together with Međed are reflected in its blue-green depths. In the spring, when the snow begins to melt, a powerful spring ČELINA erupts from under it, noisily crashing into the lake with white waterfalls. It consists of two water bodies, the so-called Small and Large Lakes, separated by a narrow strip of land, called “struga”. The altitude of the lake is 1418 meters above sea level. Small Lake is 49.1 meters deep and Large Lake is 24.5 meters. The water temperature in summer exceeds 22 degrees, so during the hot summer months, this lake is a real paradise for swimmers.
Jablan jezero
(Poplar Lake)
At the foot of Crvena Greda, there is JABLAN LAKE or “Little Lake”, as some call it. Although it bears this name, it is wider and deeper (8.5 m) than some other lakes on Durmitor. Jablan Lake, at 1791 meters above sea level, with its beauty only complements the beauty of this entire region.
Zminje jezero
(Snacks' Lake)
ZMINJE JEZERO is located further from JABLAN LAKE, at the very source of Mlinski potok spring. Hidden in the depths of the forest, icy silence, as if his role is to remind of loneliness and to think about it. It is small in size and is planted in a narrow oval belt of spruce, most authentically conjures up the Mountain Eye, which looks at Crvena greda and the nearby peaks between conifer eyelashes. The altitude of this lake is 1520 m, and the greatest depth is 7.7 meters.
Barno jezero
(Swampy Lake)
In the area between Velika Poljana and the village of Pitomine on the east, and the village of Bosača on the west, at an altitude of 1489 m above sea level, there is BARNO JEZERO. The lake is small in size, and its sides are covered with dense marsh vegetation, while it is surrounded by coniferous forest. According to popular belief, the water of this lake is curative, especially for skin diseases. It is said that the shade of its spruce trees is a place where herds of young chamois graze. The maximum depth of this lake is only one meter.
Vražije jezero
(Devil's Lake)
On the ninth kilometer of the road from Žabljak to Nikšić, easily visible from higher terrain, is the DEVIL'S LAKE. At an altitude of 1411 m, 10.6 m deep, wide open to the sun, it is located on the Jezerska plateau, next to the main caravan route, which in the past connected Onogost with Taslidž. Legend has it that a winged horse with red hair lives there and comes out to the shore during starry nights.
Škrčka jezera
(Skrka Lakes)
In the central parts of Durmitor is the Škrka cirque, the deepest and widest on the Balkan Peninsula. This place should be visited to feel its value. There are two lakes in this small area. The first is VELIKO ŠKRČKO (Big Skrka Lake), and it is located at an altitude of 1686 m, with a maximum depth of 17.2 m. The color of the water of this lake is greenish, and the maximum transparency reaches 8.5 meters, which makes it the first among the lakes on Durmitor. MALO ŠKRČKO (Small Skrka Lake) is located at an altitude of 1711 meters, with an average depth of 5.9 meters.
In addition to these, the beauty of Durmitor is enhanced by lakes Sušičko, Srablje, Riblje, Valovito, Pošćensko, Zminičko, Modro, Zabojsko, as well as Zeleni vir, Ševarita lokva, and Suva lokva.
All lakes in Durmitor were created by the centuries-old action of glaciers, which hollowed out valleys at the foot of the mountain peaks. Rainwater and melted snow from the rocky peaks flowed into them, creating lakes.