Day trips by car from Žabljak

Đurđevića Tara Bridge, Dobrilovina and Zminičko Lake from Žabljak

With five concrete arches above the river, Đurđevića Tara Bridge is one of northern Montenegro’s best-known sights. A deep, wooded canyon opens below the roadway, and a side view from the canyon rim reveals both the bridge’s structure and the scale of the valley. On a trip from Žabljak, the bridge visit is combined with Zminičko Lake below Sinjajevina and Dobrilovina Monastery, with lunch beside the river at Ravnjak.

Concrete arches of Đurđevića Tara Bridge above the river and wooded canyon slopes

Trip overview

Trip duration: 8-10 hours
Stops: 4
Driving distance: About 115 km

Why set aside a day for this trip

The view down over the Tara is accessible here even to visitors who do not plan to go rafting or take a long hike. You can drive to the approaches to the bridge and monastery enclosure, while the lake stop includes a short walk and a rest.

Trip and costs at a glance

Trip duration	8-10 hours
Transport	A car is needed · rental offers
Sights on this trip	Zminičko Lake Dobrilovina Ravnjak Đurđevića Tara Bridge
Fuel consumption	Estimated 9-12 L
Tolls	No charge
Admission costs	No charge
Navigation	1/3 · Žabljak → Njegovuđa → Zminičko Lake 2/3 · Lake → Njegovuđa → Dobrilovina → Ravnjak 3/3 · Ravnjak → Tara bridge → Žabljak

The complete drive from Žabljak via Zminičko Lake, Dobrilovina and Ravnjak to the Tara bridge and back, with a separate out-and-back walk along the lake’s eastern shore

The complete drive is divided into three connected parts, with the lake before the canyon and the bridge on the return journey. The out-and-back walk along Zminičko Lake’s eastern shore is drawn separately, from the parking area to the southern end of the lake and back the same way.

Full route 1/3 · Žabljak → Njegovuđa → Zminičko Lake Full route 2/3 · Lake → Njegovuđa → Dobrilovina → Ravnjak Full route 3/3 · Ravnjak → Tara bridge → Žabljak Žabljak → Zminičko Lake Lake → Dobrilovina Dobrilovina → Ravnjak Ravnjak → Žabljak-side approach to the bridge Bridge → ŽabljakThe Google Maps links are for driving to the approaches and parking areas. A separate walking diagram shows about 800 meters beside the lake, returning to the same car.

Route, visits and breaks

The plan includes the full out-and-back lake walk, approaches, visits, lunch and one 35-minute buffer. Plan the trip during Ravnjak’s summer season, after confirming that the restaurant is operating and that the bridge can be accessed during the works.

Via Njegovuđa to the lake and an out-and-back shore walk

35 min driving · 10 min parking · 1 h walking and visiting

Zminičko Lake with conifer forest and meadows on the opposite shore — Zminičko Lake below Sinjajevina

Leave Žabljak in the morning and open the provided driving directions to Zminičko Lake via Njegovuđa. The final approach is a narrow paved road through the village. Keep to this route: shortcuts across Sinjajevina may lead onto gravel roads. Leave the car in the parking area at the northern approach to the lake.

From the parking area, a short paved approach leads to a dirt road along the eastern shore. Pedestrian access along the shore road is allowed, while access by car is restricted. Walk to the southern end of the lake, spend some time by the water and return to the car the same way.

The full walk, including the approach and return, is about 800 meters long. Allow around an hour for walking, looking over the lake and resting, plus another ten minutes for parking. The dirt section can be muddy after rain, and signs at the entrance determine whether the route is open.

Down into the canyon to visit Dobrilovina

1 h 20 min driving · 10 min parking · 50 min visiting

The stone church at Dobrilovina Monastery with its dome and separate wooden bell tower — Dobrilovina’s church and wooden bell tower

From the lake, return via Njegovuđa toward the approach to the Tara bridge, then continue down the canyon toward Dobrilovina. The planned route stays on the Žabljak side of the river and does not cross the bridge. The winding road runs between wooded canyon slopes, so allow around an hour and twenty minutes to drive this section, including the village approach.

Leave the car by the monastery approach without driving into the enclosure. Allow one hour in total for parking, the approach and the visit. Look at the stone church with its dome and the wooden bell tower, and ask the nuns about entering the Church of Saint George. Arrange an interior visit in advance through the diocese’s contact page, as the church has no confirmed visitor opening hours.

If entry is allowed, take time to see the surviving frescoes, especially in the dome. After the visit, walk back through the enclosure to the car and continue down the canyon toward Ravnjak.

Lunch at Ravnjak at the end of the drive down the canyon

15 min driving · 5 min parking · 1 h 15 min lunch

The covered wooden terrace at Ravnjak restaurant, with tables, benches and a stone wall — Ravnjak restaurant terrace

From Dobrilovina, continue for around fifteen minutes to the restaurant at Hotel Ravnjak. The covered wooden terrace is beside the river, making lunch here a chance to rest by the water before the return drive through the canyon. Allow five minutes for parking and around an hour and fifteen minutes for the meal and a rest.

Boiled lamb or veal costs €15, and a seasonal salad €3.50, according to the published menu. Ravnjak operates seasonally: after the end of the 2026 season, the hosts announced that it would reopen in June 2027. Before the trip, confirm the opening date, kitchen service and current menu.

The bridge and canyon on the return from Dobrilovina

45 min driving · 10 min parking · 45 min sightseeing and return

After lunch, return along the same canyon road to the parking area on the Žabljak side of the bridge, by the Tara MB restaurant. Allow around 45 minutes for the drive. The parking area is private, with charges set out on the price list at the entrance.

Allow around 55 minutes for parking, walking to the viewing area and returning to the car. From the terrace at Tara MB, the bridge can be seen from the side: its row of arches, their supports and the river far below.

Access conditions for vehicles and pedestrians change during the bridge reconstruction. Before the trip, check the current AMSCG notice and whether access to the view by the restaurant is permitted. The planned visit stays on this side of the canyon and does not depend on crossing the entire bridge.

Return to Žabljak

35 min driving

From the parking area by the bridge, return to Žabljak on the main road, allowing around 35 minutes of driving.

Plan for approximately eight and a half hours for the whole trip, including breaks and the buffer.

Trip highlights

Zminičko Lake below Sinjajevina

Zminičko Lake lies near the village of Zminica, below Sinjajevina, at around 1,285 meters above sea level. Along the eastern shore, stretches of conifer forest alternate with open views of the water and village meadows.

The lake is around 280 meters long and 240 meters wide, with a maximum depth of approximately 3.8 meters. Its main inflow comes from melting snow in spring, while the water level falls during summer.

Wild ducks and other water birds live around the lake. Keep Zminičko Lake near Njegovuđa as the navigation destination: Zminje is a different lake, in the forest near Bosača and Black Lake.

Dobrilovina’s stone church and wooden bell tower

Dobrilovina Monastery is dedicated to Saint George and stands on a terrace above the Tara, in Donja Dobrilovina. A dome rises above the stone church, with a separate wooden bell tower in front of the entrance. The open bell tower has crossed wooden beams between upright supports. Because of its resemblance to Morača Monastery, the diocese also records the popular name Mala Morača.

The monastery is mentioned in the 16th century and was restored in 1609. It fell into neglect after the Second World War, while the church was restored and consecrated in 1989. The liturgy is still celebrated at Dobrilovina today.

Frescoes of the Apostles and the Savior are partly preserved in the dome. Vine motifs and rosettes in shallow relief add raised decoration alongside the painted figures.

Five arches above the Tara

Đurđevića Tara Bridge spans the canyon with a series of five reinforced-concrete arches. The largest has a span of 116 meters, while slender supports raise the roadway high above the river. A side view reveals the difference between the large opening above the canyon and the smaller arches that continue the structure toward the bank.

The bridge is 365 meters long and was completed in 1940 to a design by engineer Mijat Trojanović. It connected the roads from Žabljak, Mojkovac and Pljevlja at a point where the deep valley had been a major obstacle to traffic.

During the war in 1942, one smaller arch was demolished to prevent enemy units from crossing. Engineer Lazar Jauković, who had worked on the bridge’s construction, carried out the demolition in a way that preserved the rest of the bridge. The rebuilt bridge reopened in 1946.

Questions before this trip

Can you see the bridge during reconstruction?

This plan uses the view from the Žabljak side, by Tara MB, and does not require crossing the bridge. The works may also change pedestrian access, so check the current restrictions and whether the planned viewing area is open before setting out. A vehicle closure notice is not the same as a notice allowing pedestrian access.

Is the church at Dobrilovina always open to visitors?

Ask the nuns about entry and arrange the visit in advance if you want to see the frescoes. The monastery is an active monastic community, so services and the community’s duties determine when an interior visit is possible. No visiting hours have been confirmed.

Does the walk make a full circuit of Zminičko Lake?

No. The planned walk follows the eastern shore and returns to the car the same way, covering about 800 meters in total, including the approach. The shore road is not intended for sightseeing drives, and the dirt section can be muddy after rain.

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About the cityHow a former stop for travelers and traders became Žabljak, and what its mountain climate means for life here.Things to doFrom walking and rowing on Black Lake to climbs and guided outings, with a winter choice between skiing and snowshoeing.SightsDurmitor's landscapes and medieval stecci tombstones, what to see and how to reach them from Žabljak.Lesser-known placesLesser-known places around Žabljak, such as Zminje Lake reached by a forest path.With childrenWalks by Black Lake and boat rides on the lake, bowling and snow outings, plus guided horse riding and rafting for families.FoodHow Durmitor skorup differs from kajmak, and which dishes belong to mountain cooking.Where to eatWhere to have a Durmitor-style lunch or a different meal in Žabljak, with suggestions on what to order.Where to stayRecommended stays in and around Žabljak, what hotels and mountain bungalows offer.AirportsGetting to Žabljak from Podgorica or Tivat Airport and where to connect with public transport.ParkingWhere to park in central Žabljak and before a walk to Black Lake.Practical informationGetting between Žabljak and outlying accommodation, with mobile services for your stay.SafetyPreparing for Durmitor's changeable weather and knowing who to contact for help.Explore the city Stay plansDay-by-day plans for lakeside walks, scenic drives and excursions around Durmitor from Žabljak.

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