Prokletije—the “Accursed Mountains”—are anything but cursed. Under winter snow, they are one of the most breathtaking alpine landscapes in Europe. And at the heart of this frozen kingdom lie Plav and Gusinje—two small towns with outsized potential.
Plav: A winter base for Alpine purists
Plav sits beside a glacial lake that, in winter, transforms into a sheet of ice beneath towering peaks. Its wooden houses, traditional kitchens, and panoramic valley views make it a perfect base for adventure travelers.
This is winter tourism that cannot be industrialized. Its value lies in purity.
Visitors come for:
• snow trekking above the lake
• photography expeditions
• cross-country skiing
• snowshoe circuits
• frozen waterfall climbs
• silence
Silence is important here. Prokletije’s winter quiet is deep, almost mystical.
Gusinje: The last outpost before the peaks
Gusinje feels like the edge of the world. From here, the peaks rise almost vertically, creating one of the most dramatic winter vistas anywhere in the Balkans.
In winter, Gusinje attracts:
• ice climbers
• professional adventurers
• mountaineering schools
• documentary photographers
• elite winter athletes training in extreme terrain
A future built on low-impact adventure tourism
Unlike Kolašin, Prokletije should not chase mass ski tourism. Its value is exclusivity.
The region could host:
• high-end eco-lodges
• premium adventure camps
• international photography festivals
• cross-border winter trails
• nature interpretation centers
Prokletije is Montenegro’s “Patagonia-lite”—a brand waiting to be launched globally.
Elevated by www.mercosur.me
