Hidden in the wild beauty of Prokletije National Park, Hrid Lake offers crystal-clear waters, epic views, and a perfect escape into nature. With challenging hikes, refreshing swims, and the chance to camp under the stars, it’s the ultimate adventure spot. Ready to uncover what this remote paradise has to offer? Your journey starts now.
About Hrid Lake
Located in Proketlije National Park, Hrid Lake is a small yet picturesque glacial lake in Montenegro. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,970 meters (6,463 feet) above sea level, and it’s one of the highest lakes in the country.
Unlike some of Montenegro’s more famous places such as the Black Lake or Bobotov Kuk, Hrid Lake remains relatively untouched by tourism. Tall pine and fir trees encircle the lake, creating a tranquil atmosphere, while the lake is only accessible via a scenic hike, protecting it from mass tourism.
Hrid Lake is primarily fed by rainwater and mountain springs. Since it’s a glacial lake located at a high altitude, it also collects runoff from melting snow in the surrounding Prokletije mountains. Unlike some larger lakes, Hrid Lake doesn’t have visible inflowing rivers or streams, making its water incredibly clear and pristine.
And the best part? Lake Hrid is the perfect spot for a refreshing wild swim after a hike. Many hikers take a dip in Hrid Lake, especially in summer, despite the water being icy cold year-round. Locals say swimming here brings luck and happiness, adding to the lake’s mystical charm.
How to Get There
Reaching Hrid Lake isn’t too challenging, but it does take some effort since it’s tucked away from major tourist spots. Located near the Albanian border, it’s about 15km (30 minutes by car) from the town of Plav and 35 km (1 hour by car) from the Grebaje Valley.
The hike begins at Samelova Koliba Prokletije (also known as Samel’s Cottage), located near Bajrovića Katun. Open from May to October, this shelter is a popular stop for those tackling the Peaks of the Balkans (POB) trail.
Often regarded as one of the best shelters along the entire POB route, it’s an ideal place to spend the night before your trek or to enjoy a meal after your hike. To reach the starting point, you’ll need to take a winding dirt road up the mountain, and a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended for the journey.
From this point, continue on the trail as we guide you step-by-step towards Hrid Lake.
Hiking Hrid Lake – Detailed Guide
Hike Overview
Distance: 3.4km (one-way)
Difficulty: easy
Elevation difference: +/-275m
We began our hike to Hrid Lake from Samel’s Cottage, early in the morning. Bajrovića Katun is just 100m away, and – unless you are cycling there – this is where you need to leave the main dirt road and start following the hiking trail n°542.
Follow directions towards Hridsko Jezero (istok). Here is the actual sign you want to find and follow:
The first section of the hike is a gentle ascent through a tranquil pine forest. We’ve classified this hike as easy since the terrain is relatively even, with no major obstacles, offering a smooth and enjoyable start to the trek. The path is well-marked and well-defined along the entire way, ensuring a smooth journey.
The moderate incline is accessible to hikers of all levels, and the forest provides shade and a comfortable atmosphere, even on warmer summer days. Along the way, keep an eye out as you may also spot local wildlife.
After about 45 minutes, the path becomes a little steeper as the trail climbs up towards the lake.
About an hour in, the trail flattens out, and you’ll spot a smaller lake by the side. It’s just a taste of the epic views coming up.
This spot’s also great for picking raspberries and blueberries, depending on the season. Check along the water’s edge—and good luck!
Keep walking for a few more minutes, and you’ll finally reach Hrid Lake! If it’s a calm day, the water will be perfectly still and crystal clear.
There are plenty of great spots to set up camp, and it’s pretty common for hikers to spend the night here by the lake in a tent.
We took the chance to relax by the lake, but we couldn’t resist jumping in for a swim. The water was cold, but in mid-August, it’s not too bad. If the sun’s out, it’s actually super refreshing and pleasant.
Just be prepared for much colder water if you’re hiking on a cloudy day or outside of summer.
After soaking in the lake, we decided to hike around it. The lake’s circumference is about 750 meters, but the trail isn’t as clearly marked as the one that leads to the lake.
There are a few spots where you’ll have to climb over big rocks or fallen pine trees.
Along the way, you’ll get great views of the clear water and a small islet in the middle, which adds to the lake’s charm. The islet makes for a unique focal point, enhancing the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
From the lake, we chose to head back to the starting point, which took us about 45 minutes. If you’re up for a longer adventure, there are several other trails to explore.
Extend Your Hike from Hrid Lake
The main one is the one to the summit of Hridski Krš (2358m) and Krš Bogićevica (2374m). As you can see in the map below, you can do it as a loop from and to Hrid Lake. The trail touches the summit of two mountains.
The hike to Hridski Krš and back is about 5km long.
Best Time to Visit Hrid Lake
The best time to visit Hrid Lake is during the warmer months, typically from late spring to early autumn. The ideal period is between June and September, when temperatures are milder, and the trail is clear of snow and accessible. This is when the weather is most stable, making it perfect for hiking and enjoying the lake’s beauty.
Hrid Lake experiences snowfall from November to March, which can make access to the lake and the surrounding areas more challenging. Snow typically starts melting in late spring, around late April to early May, though some areas at higher elevations may still have patches of snow into early June.
By mid-June, most of the snow should be gone, leaving the trail in its best condition for hiking. If you visit in the early spring, expect lingering snow in some sections of the trail, especially in shaded or higher-altitude areas. Once the snow melts, the landscape transforms into lush greenery, offering clear views and a more enjoyable hiking experience.
Eco-Friendly Practices & Leave No Trace
When visiting Hrid Lake, it’s important to respect the environment and follow sustainable practices to preserve its beauty for future visitors. There are several wild campgrounds around the lake where you can set up camp, offering a peaceful and natural experience. However, it’s essential to keep these areas pristine.
Unfortunately, we noticed some rubbish left behind at campsites and campfire spots, which not only harms the environment but also detracts from the experience. Always pack out everything you bring, and avoid making campfires in undesignated areas to prevent damage to the landscape. By following Leave No Trace principles, we can all help keep Hrid Lake as beautiful and untouched as we found it.
Prokletije National Park Entrance Fee
As of 2025, the entrance fee of Prokletije National Park is 3€ per day.
On the dirt road leading to Samelova Koliba Prokletije (Samel’s Cottage), you’ll come across a small hut where a man will collect the entrance fee.
Find Freshwater at Hrid Lake
If you’re in need of a water refill during your hike in Prokletije National Park, there’s a freshwater spring not far from Hrid Lake, on the way back toward the starting point.
It’s easy to find—just look for a couple of yellow signs pointing you in the right direction. The spring provides cool, clean water straight from the ground, making it a perfect spot to stop and hydrate. It’s a great place to refill your bottle before continuing on, especially if you’re heading further into the park where water might be harder to find.
