SUP Touring: River Crnojevića - Virpazar

After the 2025 season came to an end, we finally had the chance to do something we had been talking about for a while — a longer SUP tour where we could simply paddle, explore, and enjoy the day without rushing.

The only question was timing. The channel of the Crnojevića River is long and surrounded by hills, which means it can get very hot during the warmer months. So we waited patiently for the right moment — a perfect autumn day.

Our plan was simple: start in the village of Rijeka Crnojevića and finish in Virpazar. To make the logistics easier, we asked a friend to give us a ride to the starting point. We drove along the old panoramic road from Virpazar and reached Rijeka Crnojevića in about 45 minutes. This road never disappoints. No matter how many times I travel along it, the views are always breathtaking. Every time feels like the first time.

It was early in the morning and already October, so the air still had that fresh autumn feeling. Because of that, we packed a bit too many layers of clothing. But once we started paddling, it didn’t take long for our bodies to warm up. Within the first twenty minutes we were already peeling off layers one by one and stuffing them into our dry bags.

Ahead of us were around 20 kilometres of paddling before reaching Virpazar. The river channel passes the famous Pavlova Strana viewpoint. From above, you can see the river bending through the landscape in a perfect snake-like shape — one of those views that stays in your memory long after you’ve seen it. The Crnojevića River is one of the eight rivers that feed Lake Skadar, slowly carrying fresh water through this peaceful canyon landscape. That day rewarded us with everything we could have hoped for — calm water, no wind, and the warm colours of autumn all around us. We glided quietly across the surface, surrounded only by the sounds of birds and nature. Moments like these remind you how special this place really is. From time to time we passed a fisherman, slowly working along the riverbanks. Otherwise, we had the channel almost entirely to ourselves. The canyon is magnificent, and every turn reveals a new view — another bend, another reflection, another quiet corner of nature.

About halfway through, we stopped for a picnic. A well-deserved pause to stretch, enjoy the scenery, and simply take in the peaceful atmosphere. By the end, the whole tour — with one short and one longer break — took us about five and a half hours. We didn’t rush. We took our time, enjoyed the day, and let the river set the pace.