A wartime bridge over Europe’s deepest canyon
Đurđevića Tara Bridge carries the road between Žabljak and Mojkovac across the Tara river on five concrete arches, built in 1940 and standing about 172 metres above the water at its highest point. It was, for its time, an ambitious piece of engineering: a reinforced-concrete span thrown across a canyon that drops far deeper than the bridge deck itself, since the Tara Canyon reaches depths of over 1,300 metres in places, second in the world only to the Grand Canyon in Colorado.
Most people see it on the way to or from Žabljak and the Black Lake, or on a Durmitor loop out of Kolašin. Very few make the drive from Kotor purely for the bridge, and that is the right instinct: on its own, the bridge is a 45-minute to 2-hour stop, not a destination that fills a day by itself. It earns its place on an itinerary when it is one stop among several around Durmitor National Park rather than the sole reason for the trip.
Getting there from Kotor
The drive is long and the road quality varies. Expect 3 to 3.5 hours from Kotor, longer if you stop for photos on the way, which you will want to. The most direct route runs via the tunnel of Sozina toward Podgorica, then north through Kolašin and over the mountains, or alternatively via Njegusi and Cetinje before joining the main north-south road. Either way, the final stretch into the Durmitor area involves mountain roads with sharp bends; drivers unused to this kind of terrain should plan extra time and avoid arriving after dark.
There is no direct bus from Kotor to the bridge. Public buses run from Podgorica to Žabljak, from where the bridge is a short taxi ride or a manageable walk along the main road, but this adds a transfer and makes a day trip impractical without a car. Most visitors either self-drive, join an organised tour that covers Durmitor and the canyon in one day, or stay overnight in Zabljak and treat the bridge as a stop on a longer loop.
A day tour from the coast that includes the bridge, the Black Lake and time in the canyon is worth considering if you would rather not drive the mountain roads yourself:
a full-day Durmitor, Black Lake and Tara Canyon tour covers the bridge alongside the park’s other highlights in a single organised trip.
What there is to see and do
The bridge and the viewpoints
The bridge itself is open to pedestrians along a walkway on one side, and walking across takes only a few minutes each way. The real draw is the view down into the canyon, best appreciated from the small viewpoint platforms at either end rather than from the middle of the traffic lane. On a clear day the scale of the drop is obvious even without doing anything more adventurous than standing at the railing.
A cluster of stalls near the bridge sells local honey, rakija, wool socks and other souvenirs, along with basic food. It is a functional, low-key setup rather than a manicured visitor centre, and prices are not unreasonable by Montenegrin standards.
The zipline across the canyon
A zipline installed near the bridge lets you cross a stretch of the canyon at speed, several hundred metres above the river, with the bridge itself visible below or to the side depending on the exact line. It is a short activity, a few minutes of actual riding once harnessed, and operates seasonally, roughly May to October depending on weather and staffing. Prices vary by operator and by how many lines you ride; budget in the range of 15 to 25 EUR for a single crossing. Check current opening hours locally, since the operating hours narrow outside peak summer months and the line can close in high wind or heavy rain.
If the idea of the canyon appeals more from water level than from a cable, a canoe trip on the Tara covers a gentler stretch of the river with a picnic included:
a canoe outing on the Tara with a riverside picnic is a lower-adrenaline way to spend time in the same canyon.
The Lazar Jauković story
A plaque at the bridge commemorates Lazar Jauković, the engineer who had supervised the bridge’s construction. During the Second World War, as occupying forces used the bridge to move troops and supplies, Jauković detonated one of the arches to slow their advance. He was captured and executed as a result. The damaged arch was rebuilt after the war, and the bridge as it stands today includes that reconstructed span alongside the four original ones. The plaque is easy to miss if you are not looking for it; it sits near the bridge approach rather than in the middle of the crossing, and it is worth the two minutes it takes to read.
This is one of the more concrete, verifiable pieces of Second World War history on the Montenegrin tourist circuit, in contrast to some of the vaguer wartime claims attached to other sites in the country. It is worth knowing the story before you arrive, since there is no substantial on-site interpretation beyond the plaque itself.
Combining the bridge with the rest of Durmitor
Because the drive from Kotor is long, the bridge rarely justifies a standalone day trip. It works better as one stop on a Durmitor loop that also takes in the Black Lake near Zabljak, a short easy walk around still water framed by pine forest, and the wider Tara Canyon itself, which can be explored by raft, canoe or simply from viewpoints along the road.
Travellers who want to see the canyon from below rather than the bridge deck should look at rafting: it is one of the most established outdoor activities in this part of Montenegro, with sections graded for beginners as well as more technical stretches upstream. For something closer to Kotor logistically but still capturing canyon scenery, the Sedlo pass area gives sweeping mountain views by e-bike:
an e-bike ride over Sedlo pass to Devil’s Lake covers a different, higher stretch of the Durmitor massif for those with an extra day in the area.
For a longer stay, Zabljak is the obvious base: it sits closest to the bridge, the Black Lake and the national park trailheads, and has more accommodation than any other town in the immediate area. Kolasin is a reasonable alternative if you are approaching from the Podgorica side and want a smaller, quieter base with its own hiking access into Biogradska Gora.
Practical information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance from Kotor | Approximately 140 to 150 km, 3 to 3.5 hours driving |
| Distance from Zabljak | About 25 km, 30 to 40 minutes |
| Bridge access | Free, pedestrian walkway open during daylight hours |
| Zipline | Seasonal, roughly May to October; approx. 15 to 25 EUR per crossing |
| Nearest fuel and food | Zabljak, or the stalls at the bridge itself |
| Parking | Free roadside parking near the bridge approach on both sides |
| Mobile signal | Generally reliable near the bridge; patchier on the approach roads |
Fuel up before leaving the coast or in Podgorica; petrol stations thin out on the final approach roads. If you are driving yourself, check the weather forecast for the Durmitor area separately from the coastal forecast, since conditions at this altitude can differ sharply from Kotor even in summer, with cooler temperatures and a higher chance of rain or fog.
Those wanting to see more of the wider canyon system by bike, including sections of the long-distance Peak of the Balkans route, can extend the trip:
an e-biking tour along the Peak of the Balkans route passes through some of the same mountain terrain north of Durmitor.
When to visit
Late spring through early autumn is the practical window. In May and June the canyon is green and the roads are clear of snow but not yet crowded with August traffic. July and August bring the warmest weather and the fullest car parks, along with the only period the zipline and rafting operators run at full capacity. By late September the water in the canyon is colder and some seasonal operators start winding down, though the road remains open and the views are just as good, arguably better with autumn colour on the slopes.
Winter access is possible by car with appropriate tyres, since the road over the bridge is a functioning year-round route, but the zipline and most tourist infrastructure close, and snow on the higher passes can make the drive from Kotor considerably longer and less predictable. This is not a winter day-trip destination.
Đurđevića Tara Bridge: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see the bridge itself?
Walking across and back, reading the plaque and taking in the viewpoints takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Add the zipline and you are looking at closer to two hours on site.
Is the zipline safe and is it worth doing?
It is operated commercially with standard harness and cable safety equipment, and it is a popular activity with a long operating history at this location. Whether it is worth it comes down to how much you want a few minutes of height and speed over the canyon; it is not a long ride, so treat the price as paying for the experience rather than for duration.
Can I visit Đurđevića Tara Bridge without a car?
It is difficult. There is no direct bus from Kotor, and while Podgorica to Zabljak buses exist, they leave you with a short local transfer to the bridge itself. A rental car or an organised day tour that already includes the bridge in its Durmitor itinerary is the practical option for most visitors.
Is this the same bridge people go rafting under?
Yes. The bridge crosses the Tara at a point close to some of the more accessible rafting put-in and take-out points, so many rafting day trips include a stop at or a view of the bridge as part of the itinerary.
What is the story behind the plaque at the bridge?
It commemorates Lazar Jauković, the engineer involved in the bridge’s original construction, who destroyed one of its arches during the Second World War to hinder occupying forces. He was executed as a result. The arch was later rebuilt, and the bridge today combines the four original spans with the reconstructed one.
Is the bridge free to visit?
Yes, walking across the pedestrian side of the bridge and using the viewpoints costs nothing. The zipline and any canyon activities booked through operators near the bridge are paid separately.
How does this compare to visiting the canyon by boat or on foot?
The bridge gives you a single dramatic viewpoint from above; it does not put you in the canyon itself. For that, a rafting or canoe trip on the Tara, or a hike along one of the marked trails in Durmitor National Park, gives a very different, closer perspective on the same landscape.
Should I combine this with a trip to Lake Skadar or stay focused on Durmitor?
They are on opposite sides of the country in practical terms; Lake Skadar sits much closer to Kotor and the coast, while Durmitor and the bridge sit deep in the north. Trying to cover both in one day from Kotor is not realistic. Treat them as separate excursions, or combine Durmitor with an overnight stay if you want to see both regions on the same trip.
