Pestingrad Peak Hike via The Ladder of Kotor

If you’re looking for the best views across Kotor Bay in Montenegro, then hiking Pestingrad Peak is an absolute must. Better still, while the medieval streets of Kotor Old Town are bustling below with tourists and locals alike, you can find mountainous solitude atop this fantastic vista offering extraordinary panoramic views. Surely then, Pestingrad Peak is the best seat in the house when visiting this part of Montenegro.

Pestingrad is often completed as a short out and back hike by driving up the mountain road towards Lovcen National Park to a small area called Njeguši. But, we think the longer day hike from Kotor is a much better option, especially for fellow hiking enthusiasts.

So, in this quick hiking guide, we’ll provide all the details about how to hike to Pestingrad Peak from Kotor Old Town, via the famous Ladder of Kotor.

Hiking Pestingrad Peak From Kotor

Pestingrad Peak is a 1,009m high mountain located immediately behind the beautiful old town of Kotor. Its sharp rock face looks somewhat impossible to ascend. But, what an adventure awaits those who take on this steep challenge.

Reaching Pestingrad Peak and enjoying those extensive views can seem unattainable for those travelling without a car and relying on public transport. Basically, there’s little in the way of public transport heading towards Pestingrad, and taxis to the short route trailhead at the top of the mountain road are expensive.

But, if you’re travelling without a car, or simply love a good hiking challenge, there’s good news! The Pestingrad hike can be easily combined with the Ladder of Kotor trail, meaning a direct hiking route straight from Kotor. Yes, it’s a big day out with a distance of around 21km. But, it’s completely worth it.

No doubt the Ladder of Kotor hike is already on your to-do list. It was on ours. This way, it’s two-birds-one-stone territory, as you get to tick off two phenomenal Kotor attractions on one outstanding hike.

Pestingrad took us 7.5 hours in total, including stops and having lunch at the top. Which, I might add, we had all to ourselves!

Where Is Pestingrad Peak?

Pestingrad Peak is located to the east of Kotor in Montenegro. The towering peak overlooks the impressive Kotor Old Town, the Fortress Walls and almost all of Kotor Bay. It can be reached via the road that leads to Lovcen National Park, where you can complete a short out and back hike. Or, as you’ll read in this guide, Pestingrad Peak can be reached from Kotor Old Town, on one long day hike via the Ladder of Kotor.

You can check out its location here, on Google Maps.

Pestingrad Peak From Kotor Details

Type: Out & Back
Distance: 21km
Time: 7.5–9 hours
Accumulated elevation gain: 1,400m
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead: Google Maps
Map: Wikiloc

The combined Ladder of Kotor and Pestingrad hike is hard. It’s a relentless uphill slog, which, if you hike in the summer (like we did), is a hot and thirsty affair. Make no mistake, this combined Ladder of Kotor and Pestingrad hike should not be attempted by anyone with less than a reasonable level of fitness and some hiking experience.

Having said that, the trail is very well marked with the typical white and red waymarkers present throughout the trail, so navigation is made easy. Still, we recommend downloading the above trail map as well.

Pestingrad Peak via The Ladder of Kotor Trail Description

Below, we’ll describe this fantastic hike to Pestingrad Peak via the Ladder of Kotor, breaking down the hike into three key sections.

1. Climbing The Ladder of Kotor

The first section of the Pestingrad Peak hike involves tackling the famed Ladder of Kotor. This fantastic switchback trail offers some wonderful views of Kotor. So, if you find that’s enough for the day, you won’t be too disappointed if you only make it to the top of the ladder and back.

The Ladder of Kotor hike begins here on the outskirts of Kotor Old Town. The trailhead is at the end of the road running parallel to the Scurda River on the northern side of the fortress walls. As the walk begins, you’ll pass an old hydroelectric powerplant before the long and arduous switchback trail up the mountainside begins.

The trail terrain heading up the Ladder of Kotor is somewhat uneven but is certainly easy enough to walk on. Dan and I were glad to have our trekking poles to aid with some of the steeper sections. They were also especially helpful due to the four litres of water we were each carrying on our backs. You take no chances when contending with 30°C heat and wall-to-wall sunshine!

As you climb higher, the views become ever more extensive. It’s not long before you’re towering above the Kotor Fortress and its crumbling walls, which lie directly in front of the trail. The switchbacks become more and more elongated the higher you climb, eventually finishing here, as marked by Google Maps.

Dan and I found the Ladder of Kotor trail to be relatively quiet, which is understandable, given the effort required to reach the top. Take a rest and soak in the views. There’s still plenty to come on this hike to Pestingrad Peak.

2. Heading Through the Forest

Once at the top of the Ladder of Kotor, you’ll see that the trail heads away from the views of Kotor for the first time. The switchbacks end and the path climbs into a shaded forest. If you’re hiking on a sunny day, you’ll be very glad of this shade.

You’ll follow this woodland trail until you reach the P1 mountain road at the top. The trail through the woodland has some unexpectedly steep sections, so again, trekking poles are a good idea. Navigation is simple enough though by following the red and white waymarkers.

We came across a couple of mountain bike groups as we headed through the forest, so keep a look out for other trail users.

Once you reach the mountain road, head north, passing the zip line kiosk, and then on towards Sveti Georgiji in Njeguši. Here, you’ll take the minor road on the left. Just before this minor road, you’ll pass Konoba Krstac kiosk at a small intersection, where you can top up on supplies. We bought more water from here on our hike back down.

At the start of this small road are a number of layby parking spots for hikers choosing to drive up the mountain road and complete a shorter Pestingrad hike. Along the road, you’ll pass several dwellings as you gently ascend the hillside. You’ll have wonderful views towards Lovcen National Park behind you.

3. Pestingrad Peak

At around the 10.5km mark of the hike, the trail veers off onto a small path. There is a yellow signpost pointing the way to Pestingrad. Keep a look out for it so you don’t overshoot this turn. When we visited, someone had written on the signpost about the trail to Pestingrad being overgrown. In comparison to the rest of the hike, it is. But, the trail is defined and perfectly fine to hike.

This last section of the hike is undulating and a little scrambly in sections. Nothing particularly technical, until you reach the rope descent. The very last part of the Pestingrad hike involves descending a steep rocky section of the mountaintop. Use the rope there to carefully descend the rock wall. Once at the bottom, it’s then a fairly simple scramble up the other side to reach Pestingrad Peak.

Pestingrad Peak Views

The summit of Pestingrad is marked by a small spray-painted sign on the boulders. The rocky outcrop is then free to be explored. The views are phenomenal. The 360 vistas stretch across all of Kotor Bay, out to Lovcen National Park and beyond to the Adriatic Sea. The air is cooler and feels wonderful after a non-stop uphill climb. As you’ll see, your efforts are totally worth it.

After soaking up the views, simply return the way you came to complete the hike.

Other Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is a truly beautiful place to visit in Montenegro. Simply surveying the area from Pestingrad Peak shows you that. Dan and I spent a fabulous long weekend in Kotor, experiencing a mixture of all there is to do in the area, including other hikes, exploring the old town of Kotor, kayaking on Kotor Bay and taking the popular Blue Cave Boat Tour. Find out more in the guide below.

Read more: Perast, Montenegro – The Perfect Weekend Getaway Guide

Pestingrad Peak Hiking Gear

Below are some of our recommended hiking gear to ensure a smooth full-day hike in the mountains. You should also carry at least 3L of water, wear a hat and remember to take snacks and lunch with you.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Where to Stay in Kotor, Montenegro

Dan and I opted to stay in Perast over Kotor for our trip. For anyone looking for a quieter stay, Perast is a wonderful option. We actually stayed in the incredible Heritage Grand Perast by Rixos. This old Venetian Palace is hard to beat, offering a tranquil breakfast on the waterfront, afternoon drinks in the courtyard and relaxed evening entertainment. If you’re looking for somewhere special to stay for your trip to Kotor, this is it.

Pestingrad Bonus Tips

• Summer hiking: be sure to pack plenty of water if you’re hiking in the summer months. Also, set off first thing in the morning when the Ladder of Kotor is still in the shade. You’ll be glad of this once the sun hits.
• Trekking poles: I can’t stress enough how useful trekking poles are on this hike, there’s a huge amount of elevation gain.
• Weather: as you can see, Dan and I were extremely lucky with the weather when we hiked to Pestingrad. Although the hike is enjoyable in itself, it’s all the better for the reward of good views at the summit. Check the forecast before setting out.
• Water views: after enjoying Kotor views from above, we highly recommend checking the views out from below, specifically from the water. Take a boat tour to admire the grandeur of Pestingrad Peak from below.

For more excellent hiking destinations in Europe, check out our posts about Sicily, Malta and Mallorca.