The Mountains of Montenegro. Rudolf Abraham

      Prokletije Hiking and Biking (1:50,000; GTZ/Huber, Belgrade); Peaks of the Balkans (1:60,000) also covers this area

      PROKLETIJE (Routes 14–17)

      Grbaja Valley (Routes 14–16): Prokletije Hiking and Biking (1:50,000; GTZ/Huber, Belgrade); Peaks of the Balkans (1:60,000) also covers this area; military sheets: JNA (1:50,000) sheet 628/4 (Ivangrad 4) or JNA (1:25,000) sheet 628-4-3 (Ivangrad 4–3: Gusinje)

      Ropojana Valley (Route 17): Prokletije Hiking and Biking (1:50,000; GTZ/Huber, Belgrade); Peaks of the Balkans (1:60,000) also covers this area; military sheets: JNA (1:50,000) sheet 678/2 (Skadar 2) covering the area SE of the Ropojana Valley or JNA (1:25,000) sheets 678-2-1 (Skadar 2–1: Jezerce) covering Maja Rosit, and 678-2-2 (Skadar 2–2: Dragobija) covering Maja Kolata

      Some useful sketch maps, originally published in Serbian mountaineering journals, can be found on the relevant pages of Summit Post (www.summitpost.org).

Trail markings

      Trail markings on Subra (Route 1)

      Most of the routes in this guide are clearly marked with a uniform system of waymarkings, the same as that found in Croatia, Slovenia and other republics from the former Yugoslavia. These waymarkings are known locally as markacija (‘markings’), and are found on rocks, trees or any other conspicuous object, in red and white paint.

      A new national system of numbering these marked trails has also been developed in recent years – a three-digit number, marked with a yellow sign or a number between two red lines. These augment (rather than replace) the long-established system of markacija, and often only appear on, or where the trail departs from, a road or 4WD track.

      Forestry markings will sometimes be encountered, typically a number of lines or bands spray-painted on a tree. However, these have no connection with marked hiking trails and can be ignored.

National parks

      There are five areas designated as national parks (Nacionalni Park, often abbreviated NP) in Montenegro: Durmitor (including the Tara Canyon), Biogradska gora, Lovćen, Skadarsko jezero (Lake Skodra) and most recently, Prokletije. In addition, a number of areas have been declared ‘nature parks’. Since 1980, Durmitor and the Tara have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

      There’s a small entrance fee for national parks, usually €3. As you might expect, national parks carry a number of rules and regulations, although there is rarely anyone present to enforce them. Use your common sense, and observe the following guidelines.

      NATIONAL PARK GUIDELINES

       Do not light any open fires, and be aware of the risks of forest fires

       Do not leave any litter – carry it out of the mountains and dispose of it in a town or city

       Bury toilet waste

       Do not pick wild flowers

       Do not disturb wild animals and birds

       Camp at designated areas or well off the main trail.

Safety in the mountains

      All those venturing into the mountains should be aware of the possible dangers, be prepared to administer basic first aid, and know how to react in an emergency. Note that although there is a mountain rescue service in Montenegro, basic problems such as communicating in an unfamiliar language and the remoteness of some areas – not to mention limitations in local funding – mean that it may take longer for you to contact help, and that help may take longer to reach you. In short, if anything goes wrong in the remotest corner of Prokletije, you should be prepared to be more self-sufficient than you might in other, more frequented mountain areas in Europe.

      Always observe the following basic precautions: