One of the most popular things to do in Kotor, is hiking the Ladder of Kotor trail. While walking the city walls or exploring the old town is a must, for the best view of Kotor, follow this hiking trail, connecting Kotor with Krstac Pass in Montenegro.
Atmospheric moated walled Kotor, is definitely one of the most majestic towns in Montenegro. Guaranteed to be high on your Montenegro Itinerary, roaming the cobbled streets of Kotor, discovering it’s historical buildings is a wonderful way to pass your time.
Even if you only have a day in Kotor, the Ladder of Kotor can easily be included in your list of sights.
Traverse seventy switchbacks, view stunning vistas of blue Kotor Bay, and admire the structural walls of the Fortress of Kotor. And as a reward for your climb? Say hello to the cats of Kotor, while enjoying a refreshing gelato in the Old Town!
Here is our guide to one of the best Kotor Montenegro hikes.
KOTOR HIKING MAP
Before we detail the Kotor Ladder hike, it’s important to differentiate between the other hiking trails in Kotor. Visitors often confuse the Ladder of Kotor hike with Kotor city walls walk or Kotor Fortress hike.
Both of these trails are accessed within the Old Town Walls.
The city of Kotor was protected by fortifications from the 9th century to the 14th century, when a protected loop was established.
Kotor City Walls provide a protective loop of the Old Town, around the Northern (Kotor Bay) and Western perimeter (Skurda River).
KOTOR CITY WALLS TRAIL:
Part of the Kotor city walls trail is accessible free of charge. This section is from the North Gate, via steps, to the Gurdić Bastion, near the South Gate. (Marked BLUE on the above map)
SAN GIOVANNI FORTRESS (ST. JOHN’S FORTRESS) OR KOTOR FORTRESS TRAIL:
From the Old Town, a trail ascends the fortifications up St. John’s Hill to St. John’s Fortress, via 1,350 steps. The path, or trail, is also known as San Giovanni Fortress trail. (Marked GREEN on the above map).
If you enter the Old Town from the River Gate, pass Bastion Restaurant on your left and continue straight until you reach an archway, also on your left. This is the main entrance to St. John’s Fortress.
You will reach a gated entrance point, manned by a security guard, where you have to pay 8 Euros per person. While some people reach the fortress without paying, I personally think it’s important to help maintain this pathway and don’t mind the fee.
HOW TO HIKE THE LADDER OF KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
LADDER OF KOTOR HIKE STATS
- Start Of Trailhead: Tabačina Road, near Apartments Ana | Google Maps
- Trailhead Coordinates: 42°25’38.0″N 18°46’24.1″E
- Distance: 4.34 miles (7 km) and 8.69 miles (14 km) round trip
- Elevation: 940 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Strenuous
- Time Taken: 4-6 hours for the round trip Kotor walk
WHERE IS THE START OF THE LADDER OF KOTOR?
The Ladder of Kotor trailhead starts outside the Old Town, within easy access of the River Gate (North Gate).
From the Old Town, pass through the River Gate and cross Skurda Bridge, to Tabacina Road. Turn right, passing Pekara AS Bakery. Keep right when the road curves to the left, and you will pass an Old Hydroelectric Power Plant.
This is the start of the Ladder of Kotor walk, and you will see the path ahead of you.
HISTORY OF KOTOR AND THE LADDER OF KOTOR
The Ladder of Kotor, is part of the old pedestrian route, Kotor Njegusi to Cetinje, which went from Kotor via Spiljar, Praciste, Krsc and Njegus, to Cetinje.
For a long time, this historical road was the only road connecting the Montenegrin capital Cetinje, with Kotor. Here, at Kotor Port, the country could connect with both the Mediterranean and the rest of the world.
The path climbs almost vertically, in the form of stone serpentines, with drywall sub-walls, along the slopes of Lovcen. Above Skurda Canyon, is Pestingrad, a mountain peak that dominates the view from Kotor.
Two branches of the trail lead from Praciste to the Krstac Pass (940 meters above sea level).
HIKING THE LADDER OF KOTOR
After passing the Old Hydroelectric power plant, the narrow gravel footpath crosses over the Skurda River, were the Ladder of Kotor trail begins.
The complete route starts from near the northern gate of the Old Town, and finishes 4 miles up the mountain, close to Restaurant Nevjesta Jadrana, on P1 road.
The path is rocky and uneven in places, but well traversed, with red markers painted on stones along the trail. You will gain elevation straight away as the trail zigzags like a snake, up the mountainside.
The still, imposing fortifications of Kotor will be in sight, as you turn every bend in the trail.
The bonus though, is that within 15 minutes, you are afforded great views over Kotor Bay. Even if you feel this Kotor trail is too strenuous for your fitness levels, it is worth getting to this point for the views alone.
Stop and look around you. You can see Skurda Canyon, flanked by the impressive limestone Lovcen Mountains. You will ascend steadily, along switchbacks, which never seem to end. But that’s because there are about seventy of them in total!
After walking for about 35-45 minutes, you will reach a stone building selling snacks and drinks.
A short distance later, a second trail breaks off to the right, heading over to the ruins of Spiljari, and the Chapel of St Ivan. I suggest you visit here on your way back down the mountain.
NB: This path also used to lead to a cut-through, which enabled you to continue in a loop, along the San Giovanna Fortress hike, back to the old town. This short-cut has now been boarded up, so there is no access to this trail from the Ladder of Kotor.
For now, continue along the Ladder of Kotor Trail. You will probably see a horse grazing, as you continue climbing. The views just keep on getting better, the higher you climb.
We turned around after about 90 minutes, as we were short on time, and felt that this was probably the best vantage point along the trail.
The trail from this point onwards, is not considered as scenic. Plus, unless you have transport arranged at Restaurant Nevjesta Jadrana, you have to turn around and return the way you came, making it a long hike.
As you make your way back down the switchbacks, take the fork on the left, and walk a few minutes to see the abandoned village of Spiljari.
You can also get a great view of imposing San Giovanni Fortress, also known as St. John or Kotor Fortress.
In the gorge behind Kotor fortress, is the village of Spiljari, probably the oldest settlement in the area. In 1838, there were 19 houses here, but today only two have been preserved, the others having collapsed. Keep a look out for the goats happily grazing.
In the central part of the village, is the Church of St. Dorda, built between the 13th and 15th century. (Named Sveti Juraj on Google Maps). An inscription on the lintel of the entrance shows the date that the church was rebuilt in 1559.
When you are ready, return to the Ladder of Kotor trail, and hike back to the starting point.
KOTOR LADDER QUESTIONS
1. IS THE LADDER OF KOTOR HIKE STRENUOUS?
No, anyone with a moderate level of fitness can enjoy this Kotor hike. The trail is well marked, and easy to follow. Although the elevation gain is 940 meters, the gradient is mild, so you don’t really notice the effort involved.
2. HOW MANY SWITCHBACKS DOES THE LADDER OF CATTARO HAVE?
The trail begins zigzagging its way up the mountain more or less straight away. There are approximately 70 switchbacks, but in no time at all, you have fantastic views over the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotor).
3. HOW MANY STEPS ARE THERE IN THE LADDER OF KOTOR?
You’ll be pleased to hear, that there are NO STEPS on the Ladder of Kotor, unlike the trail to Kotor Fortress, which has 1350 steps.
4. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COMPLETE THIS KOTOR HIKE?
The Bay of Kotor weather is pleasant and warm, and the best time for hiking in Kotor is between May and September. Hiking in Montenegro during the summer, can be very hot, humid, and tiring, so stay hydrated by bringing plenty of water along.
The trail will be in shadow early morning, with Vrmac mountain lit up. The Vrmac ridge separates the inner Kotor Bay and Tivat Bay. Late afternoon is also a great time to climb Kotor ladder, as there will be less people on the trail.
5. WHERE CAN I PARK IN KOTOR
To reach Kotor, head north on E65/E80 and turn right by Voli Supermarket. Continue down this road, then turn to cross Skurda River. Turn left at the road end and park in the large free carpark.
6. ANY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS?
Lighting is better in the early morning, as in the afternoon, you will be shooting directing into the sun.
OTHER ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
- Check Kotor weather before you set out on the trail.
- Get a Kotor map including a map of Kotor Old Town, and a map of Kotor Bay form the tourist information booth, located outside the Sea Gate.
- Take plenty of water, snacks and sun protection with you.
LADDER OF KOTOR HIKE
When you are visiting Montenegro, Kotor should definitely be on your itinerary. While there are many hikes in Montenegro to choose from, we think the images of Kotor seen from this trail are stunning.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Kotor, Montenegro. If you have any questions about hiking Kotor trails, or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
READ MORE ABOUT MONTENEGRO
- Why visit Montenegro?
- Useful things to know before travelling in Mpontenegro
- 12 Of the most popular things to do in Montenegro
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