Kotor Serpentine
Montenegro, europe
16 km
1,000 m
difficult
April to October
The Kotor Serpentine is a dramatic mountain road that climbs from the medieval walled town of Kotor on the Bay of Kotor to the village of Njegugi and onward to Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro. The road ascends 1,000 meters through 25 tight hairpin bends carved into the limestone mountainside above one of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean.
The views from the switchbacks are extraordinary, looking down over the deep blue waters of the Bay of Kotor, the red-roofed old town, and the surrounding mountains. The road was originally constructed in the 19th century under Austro-Hungarian rule and retains its narrow, dramatic character. At the top, the landscape transforms into the karst plateau of the Lovcen National Park, a strikingly different environment from the Mediterranean coast below. The contrast between the lush coastal vegetation and the barren mountain top makes this one of the most visually diverse short drives in Europe.
Where is it?
Kotor Serpentine is located in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro (europe). Coordinates: 42.4247, 18.7712
Driving Tips
Drive up in the morning when the sun illuminates the bay below. The road is narrow with no guardrails in places. Expect tour buses in summer. Stop at the viewpoints for photos of the bay.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt, narrow
Road Details
- Country
- Montenegro
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Bay of Kotor
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,000 m
- Difficulty
- difficult
- Surface
- Paved asphalt, narrow
- Best Season
- April to October
- Coordinates
- 42.4247, 18.7712
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