The Ladder of Kotor is a legendary hiking trail in Montenegro that weaves its way from the coastal town of Kotor up to the majestic Lovćen mountain range. Renowned for its sweeping, panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor, this historic path challenges adventurers with its countless hairpin turns, rewarding every step with jaw-dropping scenery and a sense of timeless beauty.

Viewpoint - Top of the Old Kotor Fort Trail

Hike Overview and Map

Old City Walls and San Giovanni Fortress

Trailhead: Located inside the Old Town City Walls (northern end of the city) through a traditional gate adjacent to the Church of St. Mary | Google Maps

Trail Turn Point: St. Ivan Fortress | Google Maps

Total Hiking Distance: 2.4 km

Total Hiking Duration: 45 minute hike | return

Difficulty: Moderate

Altitude: 260 meters above sea level

Price: Before 8:00AM and After 20:00PM there is no charge as the gate is not occupied. Within these hours the charge is 8 Euro per person paid in cash.

Highlights: Views of the Kotor Old Town, and visits to the Church of Our Lady of Remedy and San Giovanni Fortress.

Ladder of Kotor

Trailhead: Located just outside of the Old Town City Walls (north side) | Google Maps

Trail Turn Point: Top of the Old Kotor Fort trail | Google Maps

Total Hiking Distance: 9.5 km

Total Hiking Duration: 3.5 hour hike | return

Difficulty: Difficult

Altitude: 500 meters above sea level

Price: There is no charge to hike this trail

Highlights: Views of Kotor Old Town, the Bay of Kotor and Lovćen mountain. Make a stop at the iconic Cheese Shop part way along the trail to pickup some snacks or water.

The trail is well marked with red and white blazes painted onto rocks leading up to the switch backs.

The turn point indicated above is not the official end of the ladder trail, however the remaining section offers limited reward for effort., so it is an ideal place to stop.

Note: the two trails can be connected via a window through a tradional castle wall.

Getting There

From Perast:

Bus - Perast to Kotor (Ladder of Kotor Trailhead)
30-minute duration one way
Runs every 30-60 minutes
Earliest around 7:00 AM and last return around 22:00 PM
Price is approximately 2-3 euros per person, one way

General Tips

Begin the hike early morning (before 8:00AM) starting with the Old Town City Walls trail to avoid paying the entry fee and to beat the heat and crowds.
Alternatively if you were only planning on completing the Old Town City Walls trail, then after 20:00PM at sunset is also a great option.
Continue the hike stopping at the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, before continuing up to San Giovanni Fortress for some panormaic views of the Bay of Kotor and the Old Town below.
From this point descend back down towards the old town for around 5 minutes where you will return to a small section of ruins you passed on the way up. At the ruins there is a fairly discrete window that looks out behind the fortress towards the mountainside. Climbing through this window and dripping down onto the platform below allows you to continue the hike connecting up with the main Ladder of Kotor trail.
Note that the drop through the window is around 2 meters in height with a cliff edge directly behind the small landing. At the time of visiting a wooden chair was placed at the base of the ladder to assist with getting in and out of the window. To climb through and lower yourself down you will need to be confident around heights and have a moderate level of physical strength.
Once through the window there is a short mostly flat walk around the abandoned village of Špiljari and the church St. Ivan before ascending up to towards the cheese shop and connecting onto the Ladder of Kotor.
From this point hike all the way up past the multiple switchbacks until you reach the Top of the Old Kotor Fort Trail viewpoint. Spend some time taking in the incredible scenery before hiking back down the original ladder of Kotor, finishing the hike on the north side of the Old Town.
The combined hike will take around 3.75 hours to complete
Note that a water fountain is located at the very start of the trail whilst still inside the old town. However, from this point water options are limited with some vendors only located aroud the San Giovanni Fortress or the potential option to purchase water at the cheese shop.
To be completely honest the view stays relatively constant throughout the hike as it ascends up the switchbacks to the top lookout. As such the full ladder of Kotor is reccomended primarily for those looking to build their fitness.

Viewpoint - Last Descent Into Schwarzsee

Return to Kotor

After you return from exploring the fortifications of Kotor, take some time to walk around the Old Town and potentially have lunch at a local restaurant. This is a great opportunity to try some traditional Montenegrin dishes, like seafood, cured meats, and cheese.
At the heart of the Old Town is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a Romanesque-Gothic church built in 1166. It’s one of Kotor’s most famous landmarks, known for its stunning architecture and rich history.
The town also features the Kotor Maritime Museum, where you can explore the maritime history of the Bay of Kotor and learn about the region’s naval past, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
There’s a scenic area to walk along the Kotor waterfront, providing great views of the bay and surrounding mountains. It's an ideal spot for photography, with the dramatic backdrop of the fortifications and azure waters.

Where to Next

Perast: located just a 20-minute drive from Kotor, Perast is a charming coastal town on the Bay of Kotor, known for its stunning baroque architecture and beautiful island churches. A highlight is a man made island known as “Our Lady of the Rocks,” hosting a stunning Catholic church.
Lovćen National Park: about 45 minutes from Kotor, this park is home to the famous Mausoleum of Njegoš, perched atop Mount Lovćen. The park offers stunning mountain scenery and hiking trails with panoramic views of the Adriatic and Bay of Kotor.
Boka Bay and Blue Cave Boat Trip: a 3 hour cruise through the scenic Bay of Kotor, with a stop at the island of Our Lady of the Rocks to explore its iconic church and museum. The tour continues with a visit to the Blue Cave, where you can swim in its mesmerizing blue waters and explore hidden submarine tunnels.

Guide to Hiking the Ladder of Kotor, Montenegro