
Cafa Belega
Montenegro, europe
N/A
2,183 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Cafa Belega is calling – a seriously epic international mountain pass straddling Montenegro and Kosovo. We're talking about a lung-busting 2,183 meters (that's 7,162 feet!) above sea level.
Now, be warned: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the top is gravel and bumpy, so expect a bit of a rattle. Plus, because it's so high up, snow can be a real issue in winter, potentially shutting things down completely. You'll absolutely want a 4x4 to tackle this beast.
But hey, the views! Connecting the Peć District in Kosovo with Plav in Montenegro, the scenery is absolutely worth the effort. Just make sure you and your vehicle are prepped for some serious adventure!
Where is it?
Cafa Belega is located in Montenegro (europe). Coordinates: 42.5384, 19.5704
Road Details
- Country
- Montenegro
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,183 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.5384, 19.5704
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