Deep inside Durmitor National Park, in northwestern Montenegro, Sedlo Pass tops out at 1,907 m altitude, making it the country’s highest paved road. A climb as spectacular for its scenery as for its remoteness.
Montenegro’s highest road
From Žabljak, the highest town in the Balkans at 1,456 m altitude, the P14 road climbs roughly 13 km to cross Sedlo Pass at 1,907 m, on a generally moderate but irregular gradient. The route crosses several unlit tunnels and stretches so narrow that one vehicle sometimes has to pull over to let another pass, before opening onto an exceptional panorama over Valovito Jezero lake and the Stožina rock formation.
A balcony over the Durmitor peaks
Sedlo Pass marks the high point of the roughly 50 km road linking Žabljak to Plužine, one of Montenegro’s most spectacular routes, comparable in scenery to certain Alpine roads but with far less tourist traffic. The Durmitor Ring, a loop encompassing this pass and several others, is considered one of the country’s best day rides, doable on a road bike for cyclists comfortable in the mountains.
Getting the ride right
Caution is essential through the unlit tunnels: front and rear lights remain a must even in broad daylight. The road sees little traffic, so it’s worth setting off with enough water, as refill points are scarce between Žabljak and the pass.
When to go
June to September, as the road is generally closed in winter due to heavy snowfall at this altitude. The summer months offer the best conditions, with pleasant daytime temperatures despite cool nights at altitude.
Good to know
Žabljak, the gateway to Durmitor National Park, offers a growing choice of accommodation for hikers and cyclists, with convenient access to other park highlights such as its glacial lakes and the Tara River Canyon, one of the deepest in Europe.
