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Ladder of Kotor Hike in Montenegro: Complete Guide

Ladder of Kotor Hike in Montenegro: Complete Guide

Olly Gaspar

By Olly Gaspar, full-time traveler for 6 years. I visit every place I write about & share real tips, photos, & advice from my trips.

The Ladder of Kotor also known as the Ladder of Cattaro is the best viewpoint hike in Kotor leading to an epic viewpoint above the medieval walls of Kotor Old Town.

Adventure travelers looking for the best possible views of this stunning landscape have to check out the ever-snaking switchback trail known as the Ladder of Kotor. This is my favorite hiking trail in Kotor, and after climbing up to the top for sunrise, I can highly recommend the incredible views of Boka (Bay of Kotor), the Old City, the opposing Vrmac mountain range.

You’ll even glimpses of the Adriatic Sea beyond on a clear day!

However, what you might not know is that there are two primary ways to hike this switchback trail. In this updated hiking guide, I’ll detail both options, give you a quick rundown of my experience, and include some inspiring photos from my hike up the Ladder of Kotor to inspire your adventure.

About the Ladder of Kotor

The Ladder of Kotor is a rocky path made up of 72 switchbacks (I counted them on the GPX map) snaking its way up the mountain range to the east of Kotor Old Town.

The trail wraps its way behind the small crest that the Kotor Fortress City Walls are built on and leads all the way up to the Krstac Pass to an altitude of 940 meters above mean sea level.

This trail is both significant and historic, and for centuries served as the only route connecting Kotor to Njegusi village and the region of Cetinje. The constant switchbacks allow for a less steep ascent, enabling travelers to navigate over this mountain range with livestock and goods.

Ladder of kotor aerial

The Ladder of Kotor Hike

  • Hiking Distance: 6.5 kilometers one way | 13 kilometers return
  • Duration: 3-5 hours
  • Elevation: 940 meters
  • Difficulty: Moderate - Hard

Those hiking the entire Ladder of Kotor trail to the top of the pass will finish their hike at the P1 road, just after the Kotor Serpentine leading to Lovćen National Park. The trail ends near the Restaurant Nevjesta Jadrana. Since this is just a primary motorway, there isn't really an option for public transport, unless you leave your car by the restaurant or arrange a taxi in advance.

Furthermore, from my experience the views are just as good once you hit an elevation of around 600 meters, marking the end of the switchback ladder, and marked as "Top of the Old Kotor Fort Trail" on Google Maps.

As a result, the majority of hikers beginning the walk in Kotor will finish at this viewpoint.

There are also two main options for hiking up to this viewpoint via the Kotor ladder. The first begins beside the old hydroelectric power plant and follows the entire rocky path to the top.

The second option, and the one I took and would recommend to most, is to instead form a loop by walking up the Kotor Fortress, and then taking the small shortcut through the wall, and descending back down the Ladder of Kotor.

Below is a small illustration marking the two routes. However, I'll go into more detail below as well.

Hiking tip: The path is easy to follow and you'll find small red and white markers along the trail indicating the route.

Map showing two routes to hiking the ladder of kotor in montenegro

Option 1: Up and Down the Ladder of Kotor

The first and most straightforward way to tackle this hike is to begin near the Old Hydroelectric Power Plant. The trailhead is easy to find, and you can simply plug in "Start of the Ladder of Kotor" in Google Maps.

Here are the updated Google Maps coordinates for the start of the trail: 42°25'37.9"N 18°46'24.0"E

The benefit of taking this out-and-back trail is that you will not need to pay the entrance fee for the city walls. Furthermore, the trail is easy to find and follow, with a clear rocky path leading all the way to the top of the mountain at Krstac Pass.

Kotor mountains in montenegro

Option 2: Shortcut Via Kotor Fortress City Walls

The second option is to begin your hike at the entrance to the Kotor Fortress.

There is an entrance fee payable to pass this access point costing €8 between 8 am and 8 pm from May to September. However, I've noticed that if you visit earlier than this, there won't be a guide and you can technically walk up for free.

Following the city walls, you'll be able to walk all the way up to the Castle of San Giovanni, a famous hilltop castle with panoramic views over the Bay of Kotor. Then, from just below the San Giovanni Fortress, you'll find a small shortcut with a wooden ladder leading to a trail that quickly merges with the Ladder of Kotor Trail.

Keep reading for the exact location of this shortcut.

The benefit of this option is that you will be able to tick off the Kotor Fortress walls and the Ladder of Kotor on the same day and this is why we opted for this option. Furthermore, the hike turns into a semi-loop by taking the Ladder of Kotor path back down to the North Gate, meaning you won't have to follow back on the same trail.

Rental car in montengro at kotor bay viewpoint

How to Get Around in Montenegro

Rent a car! Montenegro is very safe for motorists, & you can drive across the entire country in less than 3 hours! Best of all, rental cars are very cheap (starting at €30) & easy to book by comparing rates across dealerships in Kotor and Budva using DiscoverCars.

My Experience Hiking the Ladder of Kotor

To help you better understand what to expect on the trail, I've given a quick recap of my hike, along with some photos that I took on the way up during the early afternoon, and photos from the Kotor Viewpoint at the top during sunset.

Ladder of kotor viewpoint trail

Climbing the Old City Fortress Walls

Since we were beginning the trail at around 4:30 pm the security guard at the city walls gate asked us for the entrance fee.

So, we paid the 8 euros, walked through the turnstile gates, and began climbing the stone steps up the 14th-century stone fortifications. Along the way, there were plenty of places to stop and enjoy breathtaking views over the Old City.

Old buildings in kotor old city
Fortress walls, kotor
Photographing kotor bay from the san giovanni fortress
Hiking the kotor fortress city walls in montenegro

Shortcut to the Cattaro Ladder Via the "Window in the Wall"

While it wasn't necessary to walk all the way up to the Castle of San Giovanni, we decided to anyway as this was the first time we had walked the walls. Then we descended back towards the city walls shortcut.

At first, this is slightly difficult to find. But, what you want to look for is the large opening, or "window", in the stone wall in the area just below San Giovanni Castle.

The exact coordinates of this window are 42°25'24.0"N 18°46'29.8"E.

Update on the Shortcut: I hiked this trail for the first time in 2022, and since I've been told of several updates and changes to this shortcut in the wall. In August 2023, Cameron, a traveler in Montenegro emailed me to let me know that "a large metal plate has been installed to prevent people from accessing the walls". However, more recent updates as of November 2023 indicate that the window in the wall is now open again and that large numbers of tourists are transiting through it, both ways.

I'll continue to update this blog post, but I suggest checking the comments section at the bottom of this post to stay informed on the latest news from other travelers.

Shortcut to the ladder of kotor from the city walls

I've also been told that sometimes there is a security guard patrolling this shortcut. I believe that they are usually more concerned with people trying to access the city walls for free by first walking up the Ladder of Kotor– rather than the other way. However, when we went up there were no security guards.

Fortress walls shortcut

So, we continued down the wooden fixed ladder and followed the beautiful hiking trail passing the small catholic church named Chapel of St Ivan to our right (marked as Sveti Juraj on Google Maps).

Update: Note that as of September 2023, Melanie, another traveler who left a comment on our blog post below states that the fixed wooden ladder has now been removed. Therefore, if you're taking this shortcut through the "window", then you may need to get creative or have somebody help you down. As of February 2024, John F has confirmed there is no ladder at the window anymore but there is a pile of rocks to climb down/up. Still, I'm estimating that the distance to the ground is roughly 2 meters, which makes it quite tricky. Remember, scroll down and check the comments for any more recent updates, and if you have any news, please let us know!

Hiking in montenegro
Small church near the fork

Next, the trail veers around, passing a local house and merging back onto the Ladder of Kotor hiking trail. This is roughly the halfway point of the many switchbacks and you'll now have the option of returning back down the ladder, or continuing to the top viewpoint.

Catholic church near the ladder of kotor

Hiking Up Endless Switchbacks

From the fork, the endless switchbacks continue for roughly 3.3 kilometres until you reach the Kotor viewpoint, climbing an additional 350 meters of elevation gain.

While it might seem tempting to turn around at this point, I highly recommend continuing up as the views improve the higher you get.

It took us roughly 45 minutes or so to get to the top from the fork at a decent pace and carrying heavy camera gear. The path is rocky and seems to become more so as you make your way up. However, overall it is well-graded and you can reach the top without any scrambling.

Hiking the ladder of kotor, montenegro
These trails are among the most beautiful places in Montenegro
Ladder of kotor hike
Hiking the ladder of kotor

Bay of Kotor VIewpoint

If you're not interested in walking all the way up to the P1 highway like we weren't, then a good turnaround point is the Bay of Kotor Viewpoint, marked as "Top of the Old Kotor Fort Trail". We went a bit off the trail here and found a large rocky outcrop where we sat and admired the phenomenal views of the Bay of Kotor as the sun set behind the Vrmac Ridge and the Adriatic Sea beyond.

Ladder of kotor hiking trail in montenegro
Outcrop with a spectacular view of the Bay of Kotor

Below us were the small houses and tiny old buildings that form one of Montenegro's most beautiful medieval towns. And, of course, the iconic anchored cruise ships which now resembled miniature model boats from our high perch!

As you can see from the photos, this vier is absolutely spectacular, and make sthe high well worth the effort in my opinion!

Ladder of kotor viewpoint, montenegro
Looking over the Old Town of Kotor
Mountains in kotor bay

Descending to Kotor Old Town

When it was time to descend back to Kotor Old Town, the sun had well and truly set. So, we donned our headlamps and began the long, winding descent down the Ladder of Kotor. Of course, there are no street lights here, so a reliable light source is required if descending in the dark.

Full route: My Strava

  • Our Hiking Distance: 9.75 kilometers return
  • Duration: 2.5 hours moving time
  • Elevation: 664 meters elevation gain

Best Kotor Outdoor Experiences

Looking for epic outdoor and adventure experiences in Kotor? Below are my top tours in Kotor that I recommend to everyone based on inclusions, price, and customer reviews

Islands in the bay of kotor, montenegro

1. Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik

Don't have time to stay in Kotor? Visit the top attractions including the old city and bay of Kotor on an easy and cost-effective day trip from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

Boat in croatia blue cave

2. Kotor Blue Cave Tour Must-Do

Visit the one and only Blue Cave, as well as the other famous Boka Kotorska highlights including Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula, and the WWII submarine tunnels.

Viewpoint at lovcen national park

3. Lovcen National Park Day Trip

A 12-hour tour featuring spectacular viewpoints and iconic Montenegrin vistas including Lovcen National Park, Cetinje, the Crnojevic River, and Sveti Stefan.

Durmitor, tara & ostrog monastery day trip, kotor

4. Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Day Trip

An epic day trip to Durmitor Mountain. Visit the deepest canyon in Europe and hike around the iconic black lake.

Where to Stay in Kotor

The best places to stay in Kotor are the Old Town, Muo (west side of the bay), or Dobrota (east side of the bay).

If you're planning your trip, don't miss this up-to-date Kotor accommodation guide to find the best neighborhoods and hotel deals. Otherwise, below is a quick roundup of the top-rated picks & recommendations for every budget.

Blue kotor bay aerial view of outdoor areas

1. Blue Premium Spa Resort Luxury

An Amazing adults-only luxury spa resort overlooking Boca Kotorska.

Perla apartmani with kitchen and lounge area, split

2. Apartmani Art Karampana Mid-Range

A beautiful apartment in the Old Town district. Rated 9.7 out of 10 with hundreds of reviews.

Centrum hostel outdoor view with old town buildings

3. Centrum Hostel Budget

With hundreds of reviews, this is still the best-rated hostel for its location and vibe in Kotor Old Town.

When is the Best Time to Hike The Ladder of Kotor?

It is possible to hike the Ladder of Kotor all year round. The best time for hiking in the coastal regions of Montenegro are Spring and Summer, from March to September. However, during peak season summer months, expect hot and sunny hiking conditions. During winter, the trail can be cold and icy.

While this isn't an arduous hike by any means, it can be challenging, especially if you do not have a decent level of fitness. As a result, you'll definitely want to prepare by bringing plenty of water.

Photography tip: for the best lighting conditions, hiking up the Ladder of Kotor is a better option in the early morning, as the sun will illuminate the bay. In the afternoon, the majority of the bay is darkened by the opposing range.

Ladder of kotor viewpoint during sunset

FAQ About Climbing the Ladder of Kotor

What is the Ladder of Kotor?

The Ladder of Kotor, also known as the Ladder of Cattaro, is an ancient path in Montenegro that zigzags up the steep slopes above the Bay of Kotor across 72 switchbacks. It offers breathtaking views and is one of my favorite hikes in Kotor.

How challenging is the climb?

This hike is moderately challenging, involving a steep and long climb. However, there are no technical elements to the hike, so it mostly just comes down to fitness. I'd recommend a decent level of fitness to prepare for the many winding switchbacks!

How long does it take to climb the Ladder of Kotor?

It took us 2.5 hours to hike up and down the Ladder of Kotor. However, we kept a strong pace and finished at the 'Top of the Old Kotor Fort Trail'. Expect between 2-4 hours for the return trip, on average.

What should I pack with me?

Essentials include decent footwear, plenty of water (there are no reliable water sources along the way), sunscreen, a hat, and snacks. Also, i wouldn't ever forget my camera, the views are great and you'll get some excellent photos from the top!

Is it safe to climb the Ladder of Kotor?

Yes, it's generally safe for those in good health. Always check weather conditions before you start, as the path can become slippery in the rain. And, it’s advisable to let someone know your plans before you embark since conditions can change quickly.

Am I allowed to go through the window shortcut on the Kotor Fortress Walls?

I have emailed the Kotor tourism beureau and got a reply from Sofia. She informed me that they are aware that people are climbing through the window and while this is not prohibited, they do want to stress that it is prohibited if you are climbing through the shortcut to avoid paying the 8 euro entrance fee. Therfore, I recommend doing this on the way up, or pre-purchase your tickets if you're taking the shortcut to descent the walls. To contact the beureu yourself, call +38232325947.

More Montenegro Travel & Adventure Guides

I hope you've enjoyed this hiking guide to the Ladder of Kotor trail in Kotor, Montenegro.

Take a pick from the below articles for more Montenegro travel guides and adventure inspiration! Otherwise, if you have any tips or advice for adding any activities or points of interest to this Kotor travel guide, let me know in the comments!

Thanks for Reading

I'm Olly Gaspar, adventure traveler from Australia. I’ve spent the last six years traveling the world full-time, sharing my first-hand experiences & photography in over 700 travel guides on We Seek Travel. I visit every destination I write about to bring you unique travel itineraries, epic hiking routes, fun tour ideas, travel & photography gear ideas, & interesting places to stay.

I only make genuine, worthwhile recommendations based on my experience, expertise, & research. If you buy through my links, I may get a commission, supporting this website at no extra cost to you. Read my Publishing Ethics Statement.

Guy

Friday 11th of October 2024

We went through the window 2 days ago. Sorry, no ladder anymore. A precarious pile of stones and a few sticks are there. My wife and I are NOT hikers and we were seriously considering going back down as we had come, but some helpful people showed us a trick where you step on a person's leg to get some height higher than the highest stone. Felix helped us that way and we got through! We were expecting to pay and we did when we got to the bottom. It's 15 euro now. Felix (and his leg) will forever be our hero! A memorable experience

Olly Gaspar

Friday 11th of October 2024

Hey Guy, thanks for letting us know, and glad Felix was able to help you out lol!

Ryan

Tuesday 17th of September 2024

Hi. I just wanted to provide an update regarding this walk. You'll be pleased to know that the ladder is back! I did the walk in the opposite direction, so I ended up climbing up the ladder and headed to the fortress. It's worth noting that if you come back down from the fortress they're checking tickets at the bottom, before you leave. So you will have to pay either way.

Olly

Wednesday 18th of September 2024

Hey @Ryan, glad to hear that the ladder is back! Thanks for the useful information.

Sabina

Monday 20th of May 2024

We did the loop hike this morning (May 20 2024) starting about 6.30am. At this time there was no one at the walls entry gate so we were able to squeeze passed the turnstile and head up for free (we believe they begin to charge visitors at the gate from 7am). We enjoyed beautiful morning light from the top then headed down via the Ladder path. The window is open to climb through, no wooden ladder but a decent pile of stones to help you climb down so it wasn't too difficult.

Olly Gaspar

Monday 20th of May 2024

Hi Sabina, thank you for your update, sounds like you had a great hike!Great to hear the climb down via the Ladder path wasn't too difficult. Appreciate the heads-up about the gate charges and the stone pile—super helpful! Olly

John F

Monday 26th of February 2024

As of Feb 26, 2024 (during the off season), there is no climb fee, and no ladder up to the window. There is a pile of rocks, though. Proceed carefully, and hopefully you’ll do just fine! I went up the ladder trail, and back down through the window. Beautiful morning!

Olly Gaspar

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Thanks for the update John, I'll add it to the blog post!

Melanie

Tuesday 12th of September 2023

The window from the Ladder of Kotor to the city walls is not bolted shut by a metal plate anymore. However, the ladder has been removed, so you need to be creative or have someone to help you climb up!