Ice Cave Hiking in Montenegro

Deep within the peaks of the Dinarac Alps, tucked away in a forgotten corner of the world, hides one of Europe’s best-kept secrets: Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to crystal glacial lakes, breathtaking scenery, flora and a wide variety of adventures.

Visitors can raft or kayak down Europe’s deepest canyon, or glide across it on a zip-line. They can hike among the grazing sheep and cattle and camp in the snow-capped mountains. But the most unique experience of all is undoubtedly Ledina Pecina, the ice cave.

A half-day’s walk takes hikers from the small mountain village of Zabljak, past the glittering Black Lake and up into the wild peaks of the mountains, where they are unlikely to meet another soul until their return to town. The hike will lead them past stunning valleys and through sheer mountain passes, far past the tree line and into the snows of the peaks.

Their effort is well rewarded when they peak down the mouth into the ice cave. It may be mid-summer outside, but inside it is winter. A steep slope of snow drops into the cave; its bottom is covered with a thick sheet of ice and sprouts azure stalagmites. Growing up to three meters tall, the tongues of ice soar overhead. Their counterparts hang from the ceiling and walking among them is otherworldly.

After visitors climb out of the cave, they are greeted by a panoramic of the mountain range from one of its highest peaks. The return is easier and quicker that the ascent, and leads hikers by a different route with opportunities for makeshift sledding. It is an experience not soon forgotten.

Other ice caves can be found at California’s Lava Beds, Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands, and New Mexico’s Bandera Volcano.