Overview
An eight-day, self-guided adventure walking in Tara National Park, in western Serbia. Based in two different hotels from which you are either transferred to or walk straight onto a wide array of stunning trails. These include the national park’s well-preserved coniferous forests, Drina River Canyon, Lake Perućac and the summit of Mount Veliki Stolac (1,673m) just over the border in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is the highest peak in the Mount Tara massif. With almost three hundred kilometres of marked alpine trails in Tara National Park, there are plenty of wild trails to choose from.
- Drina River Canyon
- Lake Perućac
- Banjska Stena viewpoint
- Crnjeskovo viewpoint
- Raca Monastery
- Mount Veliki Stolac (1,673m)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bajina Bašta
Transfer from Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport to Bajina Bašta (3h). If time allows, explore Bajina Bašta and see the Drina River house, one of the most famous landmarks of the river. It was originally built in 1968 by a group of swimmers who needed shelter.
- Accommodation: Zepter Hotel Drina in Bajina Bašta
Day 2: Banjska Stena and Pasjača viewpoints I 17km
After breakfast, you are transferred to the village of Mitrovac (35mins). Begin a circular hike to two of the many viewpoints in Tara National Park, Banjska Stena and Pasjača viewpoints. From the Banjska Stena viewpoint (1,065m), there are panoramic views of Drina River Canyon as well as the Osat region in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You are transferred back to the hotel from Mitrovac.
- Accommodation: Zepter Hotel Drina in Bajina Bašta
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6h, ↑461m ↓ 461m
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 3: Summit of Mount Veliki Stolac (1,673m, in Bosnia-Herzegovina) I 20km
You are transferred to Predov Krst (45mins). The trail starts from here, following well-kept gravel and dirt paths through forests of Serbian spruce, fir and pine, to the most remote and best preserved part the Mount Tara massif, Mount Veliki Stolac (1,673m), which you summit. This summit is actually over the border in Bosnia-Herzegovina but you won’t even realise you have crossed the border. On the way back, stop at Sjenic viewpoint, the lookout at the highest altitude in Tara National Park. You are transferred from Predov Krst back to your hotel in Bajina Bašta.
- Accommodation: Zepter Hotel Drina in Bajina Bašta
- Walking for the day: 20km, 7h, ↑872m, ↓647m
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 4: Boat ride to Višegrad (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
You are transferred to Lake Perućac (20mins) where you board a boat for a 3h boat ride through the Drina River Canyon to Višegrad. The most well-known landmark of Višegrad is Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, after which the Nobel Prize winning author, Ivo Andrić , named his novel On the Drina Bridge. One fascinating aspect of is the Višegrad is the contemporary homage to the past, which takes the form of a contemporary construction of an historic centre – Andrićgrad. Completed in 2014, it was the vision of Serbian film director Emir Kusturica, paying homage to the region’s history. Board the boat and return to Perućac, where you are met and transferred back to Bajina Bašta.
- Accommodation: Zepter Hotel Drina in Bajina Bašta
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 5: Kaluđerske Bare and Raca Monastery I 15km
You are transferred to Kaluđerske Bare (20mins), where the trail takes you through dense coniferous woods and the 13th-century Rača Monastery. Return to Kaluđerske Bare where you spend the next three nights.
- Accommodation: Hotel Omorika in Kaluđerske Bare
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5-6h, ↑733m, ↓733m
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Crnjeskovo, Gradina and Ljelenska Stena viewpoints I 12km
Today’s route starts from Kaluđerske Bare and takes you to the Crnjeskovo viewpoint. From there, there are views over to Sokolarica, Krstata Stena viewpoints, the Rača River and the town of Bajina Bašta. Afterwards, continue walking through beech forest towards Gradina and Ljelenska Stena viewpoints and return to the hotel on a circular route.
- Accommodation: Hotel Omorika in Kaluđerske Bare
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4-5h, ↑471m, ↓512m
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 7: Solotnik viewpoint I 17km
After breakfast, follow the trail to Solotnik viewpoint and a fortress on a rocky plateau with views of the surrounding hills and mountains of Tara National Park. Return by the same path to Kaluđerske Bare.
- Accommodation: Hotel Omorika in Kaluđerske Bare
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5h, ↑364m, ↓364m
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 8: Departure
You are transferred to Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport (3h 30mins) for departure.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in two different hotels, which are three or four-star. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Zepter Hotel Drina (Bajina Bašta)
- Hotel Omorika (Kaluđerske Bare)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Seven breakfasts and three dinners provided. On the days when dinner is not included, you can order a meal either at your hotel or in some of the nearby restaurants. Lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
The holiday is suitable for regular walkers and requires a reasonable level of fitness. The trip covers an average of 16km (5h) of hiking per day. The average daily elevation gain is 530m (read more about difficulty grades).
During the tour you walk mostly on unpaved roads and hiking trails, with some sections on asphalt. Most of the trails are well marked and signposted. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from mid-May until mid-October. The best time for walking is between June and mid-September when the wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is generally good. Earlier in the season, there may be some residual snow patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season. In general, the climate is mountainous with fresh summers and cold snowy winters. Rain is most common in May. The driest months are July and August, while autumn is sunny and a warmer season than spring.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights in three to four-star hotels as listed in the itinerary
- Meal plan as described in the itinerary (seven breakfasts, three dinners)
- All transportation as described in the itinerary
- Complimentary airport transfers from/to Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport
- Boat ride to Višegrad on day five
- Detailed route notes and maps (a digital copy, provided before the tour)
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers, unless you fly into Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights in Belgrade, Bajina Bašta or Kaluđerske Bare are available upon request
- Train ride on the Sargan Eight railway, including an extra night in Bajina Bašta
- Brandy tasting at BB Klekovača distillery
- Visit to the ethno-village of Drvengrad, which is en route to the airport on your return transfer.
