Plav

Plav sits on the shore of Lake Plav in the far east of Montenegro, in the valley of the upper Lim beneath the Prokletije mountains and close to the Albanian border. It is about two hours from Podgorica by road.

A glacial lake of around two square kilometres at 906 m, fed by the Ljuca and drained by the Lim. It is shallow, ringed by meadows and reed, and used for boating and fishing rather than swimming — the water stays cold.

The highest and wildest range in the Dinaric chain, shared with Albania and Kosovo and often called the Accursed Mountains. The Montenegrin side became a national park in 2009, and Plav is one of the two main gateways to it.

The Redzepagic tower, a fortified stone house several centuries old, and the Sultan's mosque of 1471 are the two landmarks. The town has a strong Bosniak and Albanian character, visible in the architecture and on the plate.

The Peaks of the Balkans trail, a long-distance route linking Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo, passes through the area. Shorter days go to Ali Pasha's springs, Hridsko lake and the katuns on the slopes above the valley.

June to September, when the high paths are clear and the katuns are occupied. Winter is severe and mainly of interest to ski tourers. Border-crossing permits for the cross-border trails need arranging in advance.