What's up guys, we're here in Durmitor National Park and in this video we're going
to show you the Prutas hike. It was recommended by locals as a nice alternative to Bobotov Kuk.
So yeah, we're going to show you the route overview, we're going to show you
the beautiful views along the way, and how to get here. So hope you enjoy it.
Before we dive into the hiking route, we'll quickly touch on Durmitor National Park itself.
The park is located in the northeast of Montenegro. With nearly 50 Peaks over
2,000 meters above sea level, the Durmitor area attracts numerous hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The most visited spot is undoubtedly the stunning Black Lake, which is the largest glacier lake in
the park. Other highlights include rafting or zip lining in the Tara Canyon, mountain biking
or driving the panoramic P14 route, or hiking to one of the many peaks. Bobotov Kuk is the
most popular hiking trail and it's the highest peak at 2,523 meters or 8,277 feet of elevation.
But if you're looking for a hike that's less exposed and quieter than Bobotov Kuk but just
as beautiful, then we recommend hiking to Prutas Peak. The locals we talk to describe this hike as
having the best ratio of effort versus beauty and we totally agree. In this video, we'll break down
everything you need to know about the Prutas peak hike and showcase its beautiful views. We'll also
share three hiking tips at the end of the video so you can be fully prepared. Now let's dive in!
We're Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about
destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures.
First, we'll go over the route. This is a moderately difficult out-and-back hike
and it's about nine and a half kilometers or six miles round-trip. The elevation gain is about 850
meters or 2,780 feet and we recommend budgeting about four to six hours for the hike depending
on your fitness level. The altitude at the top of Prutas peak is 2,378 meters or 7,800 feet. And to
get to the final viewpoint of Veliko Skrcko lake, you need to go just a little bit past the summit.
In order to start the hike you need to drive the panoramic P14 route until you reach a wooden frame
that has Sedlo written on it. Note that there are other approaches to reach Prutas Peak,
but this southern approach is the easiest route. The first two and a half kilometers
or one and a half miles of the hike take you along the slopes of a beautiful green valley.
The ascent is gradual and the views are incredibly inspiring.
Before you realize it, you'll arrive at a ridge and from here you have breathtaking views.
So we made it to the ridge here which is a really nice spot to take a break and
eat some lunch. You have a nice viewpoint of Bobotov Kuk here behind us, and it's actually
the highest point in Durmitor and you can also see some really cool rock formations
with these wavy patterns. So we have about a kilometer and a half to go up the ridge here.
The path splits here in two different directions as there's a trail that also goes down to the
glacial lakes. But to pursue Prutas Peak like we did, you'll stay to the left and keep climbing up.
The trail continues along beautiful grassy slopes with stunning views both left and right.
Once you get closer to the peak, you'll be able to observe the impressive vertical
sedimentary layers of Prutas. This strange rock cliff is what gave the name to the peak,
which translates to "a mountain made of twigs". At the top, you deserve some time
to rest and soak up the beauty surrounding you. The 360-panoramic views stretch all across the
mountain peaks of Durmitor National Park. You'll even spot Tara Canyon to the north.
So we made it to the summit of Prutas. The views are really incredible but there's also
another viewpoint a little bit down there. So we're gonna check that out first now.
After another 15 minutes of hiking, you'll arrive at the final viewpoint. Here, you'll be able to
observe the Skrka Lakes. There is the option to descend down from here to the lakes themselves. In
this way you can make it a loop, but you also add at least another hour and it's a lot more exposed.
We only recommend that option for very experienced hikers. The easiest option is to return along the
same route that you came, which takes about two hours to get back to the parking lot.
As we promised at the start of this video, we'll now share three hiking tips that will
help you prepare for your own Prutas Peak hike. First, bring at least two liters of water and
nutritious snacks. There's neither water sources nor places where you can find shade along the way.
Second, it's best to base yourself in the nearby town of Žabljak which has a lot of accommodation
options. From here, you can either drive to the trailhead or take a taxi. Third,
it's best to hike Prutas Peak between mid-June to the end of October. During the winter, the
road to get to the trailhead will have snow which makes it very difficult to reach at that time.
If you do decide to go in the winter, make sure to have full winter equipment ready. And always wear
really good hiking shoes, because the last push to the top is rocky and can be a bit slippery when
it's wet. And finally, the most important thing is to stay safe and have fun. If you're planning
your Montenegro trip, we recommend keeping things organized with our interactive travel planner.
Find a discount code below. We also included a link to the route overview in the description so
you can follow the route for yourself on your phone. We'll catch you on the next adventure.