Before a modern road existed, these switchbacks cut into the mountainside were how Kotor connected to inland Montenegro. Built between 1879 and 1884, the road climbs from sea level up to the village of Njeguši, on the slopes of Mount Lovćen, delivering one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Balkans over the Bay of Kotor.
Twenty-five hairpins above the bay
Over roughly 20 km and close to 950 m of climbing, the road strings out its numbered hairpins along the cliffside, with stretches nearing 8-10% on the steepest sections. Each bend reveals a little more of the bay below, its steep-walled inlets and Kotor’s red roofs shrinking as the climb goes on.
Njeguši, village of King Nikola
The village of Njeguši, birthplace of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty, makes a natural stop to catch your breath before heading back down or continuing on to Cetinje, the former royal capital. Known for its smoked ham and mountain cheese, it’s a welcome resupply point after the climb.
A road to share with care
Still open to regular traffic, it sees tour buses during the high season, especially around midday: an early start or a ride outside July-August avoids most of the traffic and the heat, since the road offers little shade over most of its length.
Good to know
Kotor, UNESCO-listed for its walled old town, has all the services you’d need before tackling the climb, while Cetinje, about 20 km beyond Njeguši, lets you extend the ride further into Montenegro’s interior.
