Montenegro, the often missed gem of the Adriatic coast. Many people know of Croatia as a holiday and hiking destination, but few people have considered Montenegro. That is changing very quickly. With some of the best hiking in Europe along with incredible food, wine and rich history, Montenegro needs to be on your list. Oh, and did I mention it's a lot cheaper than Croatia?

Where to hike in Montenegro

Montenegro isn't the biggest country, but it has an amazingly varied landscape. You have turquoise coastlines, dark green pine forests, vast mountains and national parks teeming with wildlife. You might be walking through a vineyard, exploring a rustic stone village or summiting a peak with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside all in the same day. The south coast is the most accessible and varied area of the country. There are numerous national parks and coastal walks to keep you busy, particularly around Skadar and Lovecen.

Montenegro Coast

What can I say about the coast! The sea is impossibly clear, a light topaz blue, reflecting the clear blue skies. Medieval villages cling to the shoreline. Well looked after yet quiet trails snake around the many bays and inlets. You are never too far from a potential swim. The walled seaside town of Kotor, with its thousand steps and ancient fortification, makes a welcome return to civilisation with excellent food and breathtaking architecture. If you are lucky, a friendly local taxi driver may give you a long and detailed history of the town, along with videos and photographs! The driver, Vlad, was genuinely passionate about the area, and happy share his knowledge. This is typical of the Montenegrin attitude to tourists; everyone wants to offer you advice or a helping hand.

Montenegro Mountains

    As soon as you step away from the coast, you are in the mountains. A highlight is the climb up Mount Jezerski, the biggest mountain in Lovecen National Park. The lower slopes are scattered with wildflower meadows and wild herbs. As you go higher, you wander through scented pine forests before you finally summit the barren and imposing stone peak. The top of the mountain houses a monument to the poet Njegos, a Montenegrin folk hero.

Montenegro Nature

Lake Skadar is the biggest freshwater lake in Europe. It is shaped like a dolphin and is one of the natural wonders of Europe. In spring, it is almost entirely covered in flowering water lilies. There are natural boatways you can navigate through the blossoms. The lake is home to 300 different kinds of bird, the wonderfully named 'curly pelican' being one of them. Take a sleepy boat ride through the lake and then a hike up to the surrounding hills for sweeping views of the lake as it horseshoes around a lush green mountain.

Pack your bags. Now!

Seriously, I was caught by surprise with the beauty of Montenegro. The warmth of the people, the richness of culture and the quality of the hiking can compete with most other destinations in Europe. I fell in love with this Adriatic beauty, and I hope you do too, it deserves to be firmly stamped onto the itinerary of every hiker. From bumping into lone shepherds herding goats high in the mountains or gleefully cooling off in a deserted bay to the thrill of spotting rare birds skimming across a lake, hiking in Montenegro will give you some great stories to share.'

Montenegro isn't the biggest country, but it has an amazingly varied landscape. You have turquoise coastlines, dark green pine forests, vast mountains and national parks teeming with wildlife. You might be walking through a vineyard, exploring a rustic stone village or summiting a peak with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside all in the same day. The south coast is the most accessible and varied area of the country. There are numerous national parks and coastal walks to keep you busy, particularly around Skadar and Lovecen.