The road to Ostrog in Montenegro: by car from Kotor Bay

On the roads of Montenegro, you can write a whole book. They are steeper and more curved than you imagine, but as long as you do not turn into alleys from main roads, there is no particular reason for concern. The main roads are quite new and renovated. However, if you leave the main roads, the situation changes radically. The absence of tunnels in the mountainous terrain means that the roads are serpentine curves that are complex and sometimes dangerous for driving. Regardless of whether you drive on small mountain roads or on large motorways, do not exceed the speed indicated on the signs, as you risk meeting with police officers who will not stand on ceremony.

This small tip was written by a traveler from Europe, who together with her husband experienced all the difficulties of Montenegrin roads. We give a literal story about her trip to the car from Kotor to Ostroh, and to believe or not – you decide.

“Memo: try to use the main roads and do not turn into side streets and lanes.

And that’s why:

We planned to visit the Ostrog Orthodox monastery on the day of the Holy Trinity, to take part in the liturgy, which usually starts at 9-10 am. Staying in Kotor, we decided that getting there on time will not be difficult. But God has his own plans. At that moment, we did not imagine what a trip awaits us ahead.

Soon after we left the city, GPS offered a “better” route than the one we saved (along the main road). Usually his options justify themselves, so we agreed. But probably on that day the navigator decided to play tricks on us. Because as soon as we turned, misfortunes began.

We found that a new road to Ostroh

… suddenly starts to rise abruptly upwards

… it can be called asphalted only half. No, it still shows traces of asphalt, which poured the street in times of its laying, but call it an asphalt covering would be loudly said.

… it is so narrow that only one car can go through it (and thats not always so!), So forget about the return and hope that no one will go to meet (as a rule, the road is a two-way traffic)

… on the one hand a wall of falling rocks, on the other … nothing but the remains of the wall. Road barriers, artificial or natural? No, they did not.

… turns more often than any carousel, and the turns are so steep that you have to beep each time to warn other cars that might be around the corner.

In such conditions, you must move no faster than 10 kilometers per hour, completely concentrate on driving, and you will not be up to the scenic landscapes outside the window. Each meter further along the road became more and more complicated, the conditions worsened, and the turns became more frequent.

Our signals came in handy, because the other car really approached us from the front. Luckily, he heard the signal and lost speed, because he was not too slow (it was a local and he knew that the terrain allows you to do 20 km / h). With folding side mirrors and feeling like rope walkers, we eventually managed to part ways. It was an unpleasant experience, which I would not like to repeat. But, at least, we learned one thing: never rely on the GPS-navigator and always ask the road from the locals, otherwise you risk getting lost and getting tired of your nerves.

After a while we returned to the main road and took a breath. It took a short break. A few kilometers before the Ostrog monastery itself, the road started to rise again, but it became much better. There were even emergency barriers! They would never have thought that they could be so valuable a thing.

This was our most extreme driving experience in Montenegro, but not the only one. When I recall the conditions in which I had to travel by car in Montenegro, I have great respect for the driver (my husband) for being safe “