Why This Road Exists
The Morača Canyon is a vertical limestone gorge cut by the Morača River through the Dinaric Alps between Podgorica and Kolašin. The walls rise hundreds of metres on both sides, sometimes almost vertically, with the river running blue-green at the bottom. For decades, this gorge was the main obstacle on the road connecting Montenegro's capital to its northern highlands.
The modern highway — the E65 — was carved into the canyon walls in the Yugoslav era and remains one of the most dramatic road-engineering feats in southern Europe. Tunnels punch through rock spurs, bridges leap across side gorges, and in places the road clings to the cliff with nothing between the tarmac and a 200-metre drop but a low barrier. It is thrilling, beautiful, and entirely safe at reasonable speeds.
What to Expect on the Road
The canyon section begins roughly 20 km north of Podgorica and extends for about 30 km. The road is a well-maintained two-lane highway with regular tunnels (keep your headlights on). Traffic can be heavy with trucks heading to Serbia, particularly on weekdays. Overtaking opportunities are limited inside the canyon — patience is required. The scenery is extraordinary throughout: sheer rock faces streaked with mineral stains, waterfalls dropping from unseen springs above, and the river far below, visible through gaps in the barrier.
Morača Monastery
Roughly halfway through the canyon, the Morača Monastery sits in a widened section of the gorge where the valley floor opens just enough for a walled compound, a church, and a garden. Founded in 1252, it is one of the best-preserved medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Montenegro. The church interior contains original 13th-century frescoes depicting the life of the prophet Elijah — among the finest medieval wall paintings in the Balkans. The monastery garden produces honey sold at a small shop by the entrance. Entry is free. The parking area is directly off the main road.
Best Viewpoints
Several informal pull-offs along the canyon road offer dramatic views. The most photogenic are found in the southern third of the canyon where the walls are highest and the river is most visible. Look for widened shoulders with parked cars — these are unofficial viewpoints used by locals and photographers. The bridge at Međuriječje offers a direct view down into the gorge. In the afternoon, the western wall catches direct sunlight, turning the rock face gold and orange.
Continuing North
The canyon ends near Kolašin, a small mountain town that serves as a gateway to Biogradska Gora and the ski resort of Kolašin 1600. From Kolašin, you can continue west to Mojkovac and then south-west to Žabljak and Durmitor National Park. See our complete Podgorica to Durmitor driving guide.
Practical Tips
- Driving: Keep headlights on in tunnels. Do not overtake on blind bends. Watch for trucks. The road is safe but demands attention.
- Fuel: Fill up in Podgorica. There are no fuel stations inside the canyon. Next fuel is Kolašin.
- Stops: Allow 20–30 minutes for Morača Monastery. Budget time for photo stops — you will want them.
- Photography: Afternoon light is best for the canyon walls. The monastery photographs well in any light.