If you ever googled “Tara, Serbia” you would know at least 5 more reasons why everybody should visit this place immediately. And if you ever been to mt. Tara, you yourself would gladly, if not eagerly, write this article in a matter of minutes. Because, truth be told – Tara has it all.
The Tara national park, with its endlessly green and dense forests, vast meadows, lush pastures, mesmerizing lakes and breathtaking peaks, has all the attributes it needs to steal your heart away.
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or someone who wishes to relax, spend some time outdoors and enjoy amazing nature, mount Tara is the destination for you!
So, what can you do and discover here?
Hiking
The clean air and untouched nature of mount Tara make it a perfect place for any outdoor activity you could imagine. Beginning from hiking – there are over 20 marked hiking and mountaineering trails on Tara.
Covering over 120 km in total, every single one of them is not only beautiful but interesting as well. What better way to get to know the beauty of Tara first hand than to walk its paths of intact nature.
Mountain cycling
But the fun doesn’t end here. You can also enjoy cycling in the Tara national park. The “Tarocikl” (Tarocycle) project offers hundreds of bicycle paths which guarantee a rare experience.
Witness Tara’s diverse landscapes which feature everything from meadows to mountains, from canyons to fields, from rivers to lakes. Cycling through her climbs and slopes, there’s no way you could ever get bored here.
Canyoning
For adventure seekers, there is also the option of canyoning – a 1000 metres climb down Tara’s attractive canyons. From the starting point on Predov Krst, you can head to the following canyons: the Grlac, Dolovi or Brusnice canyons or the river Rača canyon, and explore the magic of mt. Tara.
Conquer some of Tara’s challenging terrains and try your hand in one of the youngest extreme sports. As we’ve already said there are several canyoning locations on this mountain, but we recommend two: the Brusnice and Rača river canyons.
And water is not an obstacle, but an opportunity… For more fun!
If you’re into watersports or wanted to try something new and exciting, Tara offers multiple choices. The most popular one being, of course, rafting. A merry crowd and the Drina river canyon, the second deepest canyon in Europe, are for sure the best way to experience the emerald river.
You can also experience mt. Tara’s rivers and lakes from a totally different perspective. A kayak ride enables you access to the delights of Tara’s hidden nooks. And if you’re up for a more laid-back tour you have the option of a cruise down the enchanting Drina river canyon.
The Carpet Meadow and the Red Creek nature reserve
The Red Creek nature reserve (“Crveni potok”), located in the central part of Tara national park, got its name from a creek that flows through red loam which turns the soil red during heavy rain. Apart from its amazing colour, this locality has managed to preserve a rainforest type of forest.
In the middle of this reserve you can find an even more fairy-tale site (as if a red forest wasn’t enough) – the Carpet Meadow. Why is it called so? Because you feel like you’re sinking into a soft carpet and not walking on the ground. How is this possible? Because of the looseness of peat layers. A must see!
Lookouts that will instantly take your breath away
In the Tara national park there are phenomenal observation points. Each of them provides a stunning vista of both untouched, wild nature and charming villages with old mountain houses. You can choose from 5 of them: Crnjeskovo, Banjska stena, Bilješka stena, Osluša and Sjenič.
The Banjska and Bilješka stena lookouts will give you a magnificent view of the Perućac lake and Drina river canyon. The Crnjeskovo viewing point will show you the beauty of the Sokolarica and Krstata rocks, Rača river valley and the Rača monastery, and Bajina Bašta. But all of them are more than worth visiting.
Real treats for Medieval enthusiasts
The first treat are the stećci (medieval tombstones). These 88 medieval tombstones are located in Mramorje in Perućac, date possibly from the 14th and the 15th century and weigh over three tons. This well-preserved medieval cemetery has been proclaimed a cultural monument of exceptional importance.
The second one is the Solotnik fortress located on a rock next to the village of Solotuša, on the eastern side of Tara national park. This inaccessible but impressive medieval castle was built during the mid 15th century by an unknown nobleman.
Mesmerizing Lakes
The two lakes you have to see while in the Tara national park are the Zaovine lake and the Perućac lake. These two gems are great places to swim, sunbathe, rent a boat, dive and enjoy life. As they say – a picture is worth a thousand words, so…
A reason more to visit Tara’s mesmerizing lakes are the to-die-for cabins next to them. What better way there is to wake up, during any season really, than by opening the doors of your wooden house to a view of fragrant meadows full of wildflowers, and a crystal clear lake?
The magic of Mokra Gora time-traveling
Once you’re at Tara, it would be foolish not to visit two amazing tourist attractions which will ensure you end off your already unforgettable trip to Tara with additional unique experiences. The first of them is Drvengrad, an enchanting ethno village made by Emir Kusturica. In this gorgeous oasis just beside Mokra Gora, you can stay in authentic log cabins and enjoy traditional Serbian cuisine.
A visit to Drvengrad wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the world-famous “Šargan Eight” railroad. Don’t miss the opportunity of taking a ride on the “Ćira”, a one-of-a-kind tourist museum railway, whose rich history and winding route through unimaginably beautiful surrounding landscapes will make sure you leave with memories for a lifetime.
Featured photo: www.taraplanina.com
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