Piva River
The Piva River is one of the most beautiful, impressive, and spectacular rivers in Montenegro. It flows through an exceptionally scenic and long canyon, although most of it was submerged with the construction of the Piva Hydroelectric Power Plant, giving rise to the famous Piva Lake.
At Šćepan Polje, the Piva meets the Tara River to form the Drina River. The canyons of these rivers are deep and often carved into rocky terrain, making them a natural attraction of global significance.
The Piva winds its way through the western part of Montenegro, navigating high mountain ranges. Between them, the river has carved an impressive canyon over 1,000 meters deep. It also forms the western boundary of the wider Durmitor National Park, which includes the Piva Mountain to the east of the river.
The Piva is fed by the Komarnica River from the south, one of the most beautiful rivers in the Durmitor region. On the western side, the river is flanked by peaks including Golija (1,942 m), Bioč (2,397 m), and Maglić (2,388 m). From its source at Sinjac, the Piva flows 33 km north to Šćepan Polje, where its waters meet the Tara River.
Vrbnica River
The Vrbnica River is the largest tributary of the Piva River. It is rich in water, fed by numerous smaller rivers and streams, including the Orašnica and Bukovica Rivers, as well as the Ljutovac, Sutulija, and Stabanski Streams.
Vrbnica originates below Ravno from the Ljutovac Stream. From the left, it receives the Stubica Stream below Sutulija, and further downstream the Stabanski Stream below Stabana. On the right, it is joined first by Orašnica and then by Bukovica, which springs beneath Crvena Greda, initially flowing east before turning north.
The river stretches approximately 12 km, flowing partly through deep, forested canyons and partly through a fertile valley, home to some of the oldest and most climatically favorable villages in the Piva region. According to tradition, there were once as many as 70 watermills along Vrbnica.
A particularly striking feature of the river is the Vrbnica Waterfall, admired for its exceptional beauty and charm.
Tara River
At 158 km, the Tara River is the longest river in Montenegro and one of the most beautiful and challenging rivers in Europe and the world. Its canyon stretches for 80 km, making it one of the deepest river canyons globally at 1,300 meters, second only to the Colorado River, but arguably the most stunning in terms of natural beauty. Tara originates from the confluence of the Opasanica and Veruša Rivers beneath the Komovi Mountains.
The last 40 km of the Tara flows through Bosnia and Herzegovina, forming part of the border between the two countries in several places. At Šćepan Polje, the Tara joins the Piva River to form the Drina River.
The Tara River and its canyon are UNESCO-protected, meeting not just one, but three criteria for natural heritage: biological, hydrological, and geological significance.
Tara is particularly famous for its 69 rapids, where water churns into foam and whirlpools, creating a thrilling experience for adventurous visitors. The river alternates between powerful cascades, diverse rapids, deep pools, calm stretches, potholes, and narrow gorges.
Its water is crystal clear, reflecting a spectrum of colors, while its banks range from lush and gentle to steep and rugged. The canyon is unique in the world due to the vividness and force of its current, the numerous springs (around 15 major ones), countless rapids (with a drop of 4.5 meters per kilometer), and the richness of its flora and fauna, including endemic and relict species.
Tara’s turbulent tributaries carry a large amount of sediment, stones, and sand, which the river sculpts into beautiful gravel bars and fine sandy beaches. The canyon, known worldwide as the deepest and steepest river canyon in Europe, along with this capricious mountain river, attracts tourists from all over the world.
Renowned for its purity, Tara is often called the “Tear of Europe”, making it one of the most pristine rivers on the continent.
Komarnica River
The Komarnica River flows from the southeast, originating in the Drobnjak region, where it is formed by several smaller rivers: Bukovica, Šavnik, Tušinja, and the Bijela River. Its riverbed and canyon make the Komarnica a distinct natural attraction.
Komarnica is part of the Piva River system and winds through the Dragišnica Valley, an area rich in diverse vegetation. The river enters the Piva region between Duži and Vojnik, below Lug Brezanski, and stretches for approximately 25 km as it flows through Piva.
