9 Serbia’s most beautiful hikes for the country's best views

Nature in Serbia is remarkably beautiful with the best hiking places for outdoor lovers. Here is the list of Serbia’s most beautiful hikes and the best views!

The name of this incredible place translates as the Devil’s Town. However, there is nothing to be afraid of here. Quite the contrary! Đavolja Varoš is a very picturesque, natural phenomenon. This natural monument consists of two rare the world – natural phenomena: earth figures, as specific forms of relief attractive for its location, and two sources of very acidic water with high mineralization. A collection of more than 200 most peculiar rock formations will blow your mind!

Another beauty of Serbia is Lake Zaovine, or just Zaovine – located in the Tara Mountains. Zaovine was an artificial lake near the village of Zaovine in 1980. The upper surface of the lake is at an altitude of about 900 m, and the maximum depth is 110 meters. Here the water is clean, and with little processing in water treatment plants, it is used even for drinking. But this lake is also used for trout farming – 14 types of fish here. The lake spreads in all directions forming a star-like shape in the lower parts of the village of Zaovine. Come to Zaovine, an ideal place for swimming, bathing, kayak fishing, picnicking, and hiking during the hot summer days. This place is perfect for adrenaline adventures!

The largest meanders and natural treasures in Europe are in the Uvac nature reserve. This landscape is of exceptional importance in the first category, and it will amaze you! You can find this captivating Serbia nature in the southwestern of the country. It is surrounded by the mountains Zlatar, Murtenica, Čemernica, Javor, and Jadovnik. It covers an area of ​​7543 hectares. In Uvac, you can also find the springs at an altitude of 560 meters.

There are three artificial lakes: Zlatar Lake or Kokin Brod, Sjenica or Uvačko Lake, and Radoinjsko Lake. Unique trapped meanders have become a trademark of Uvac. Besides, you can see many karst forms, karst areas, bays, sinkholes, ditches, caves, and pits. Also, the largest known cave system in Serbia is here – the Ušački cave system – 6,185 m. This cave was a secret until recently, and at its exits. There is a perfect place for camping. I need to mention some other beautiful caves: Tubića cave, Durulja cave, and Baždarska cave, with rich cave jewellery deposited from dripping waters, in the form of stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, draperies, glass needles.

The area of ​​the nature reserve Uvac is widely known for its rich fauna. Especially for the enormous bird habitat – 130 species of birds. The most important is the griffon vulture – Gyps fulvus – one of the two remaining species of vultures that nest in Serbia. Its role in the food chain in the ecosystem is irreplaceable because its primary food is dead animals. That prevents the spread of infections. In 1994, this bird was protected by law. Today they are the largest in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe. Endless views and silence full of secrets will make you fall in love with this paradise on Earth. Besides hiking, Uvac offers a wide range of activities: fishing, cycling, or sustainable camping. Here are the most popular viewpoints on Uvac:
– Molitva
– Veliki vrh
– Ledeni
– Ravni krš

For the freshest air – look no further! Indeed, Tara National Park is the best hiking and the best rafting place in Serbia. Here is also Tara canyon – 60 kilometres long and the largest in Europe. Tara is also the second-largest in the world after the canyon of the Colorado River in the USA. This place will amaze you with its beautiful viewpoints, untouched nature, and rich flora and fauna. Fifty-three species of mammals and 153 species of birds have registered on Tara. Bear, chamois, and roe deer are under special protection. If you love thrill-seekers activities, embark on Tara rafting adventure!

Within the park, there is a nature reserve called Crveni Potok. The biggest attraction of this nature reserve is the so-called Meadow Carpet. Set aside one day or more to enjoy a hiking adventure on Tara. Here are the most popular viewpoints on Tara:

– Banjska Stena

– Bilješka Stena

– Osluša

– Sokolarica

– Janjač

Rtanj is one of the most popular mountaineering and hiking destinations in Serbia. Who is usually visiting Rtanj? Nature lovers, adventurers, and mountaineers. People climb in all seasons. However, it is possible to experience the change of several seasons to the top. You should start the hike well equipped, with suitable clothes, depending on the season, hike with caution and all the hiking essentials. Beware that it is dangerous to climb thunderstorms because the top Rtanj is exposed to lightning strikes. Incredible stories are circulating about Rtanj. Read our hiking for beginners guide!

Rtanj is the mountain of salvation, the mountain of aliens, the generator of energy, and a place visited by strange beings. Take the Southern hiking trail if you are a beginner hiker – that trail is a lot easier. Do not underestimate Rtanj, but put it on your bucket list! Embark on Rtanj mountain hiking adventure!

Đerdap Gorge is known as the Iron Gate of the Danube. This place is a river comprising three gorges. A perfect blend and sort of beauty that will leave you speechless! Water, cliffs, caves, greenery, and a lot more to see here. The medieval and imposing Golubac Fortress is here, and Lepenski Vir is as well. Lepenski Vir is the cradle of European civilization. National Park Đerdap is also part of the E4 European long-distance walking path. Đerdap is one of my favourite places in Serbia due to its perfect blend of nature and history. The best viewpoints are:

– Ploče

– Veliki Štrbac

I bet you would not associate sand with Europe! But here comes the surprise – Serbia has one of the largest deserts in continental Europe. You can find the Deliblato Sands in the Northwest of the country, between Pančevo and Vršac. Surprisingly, the desert is almost 12,000 years old! Some people call it The European Sahara. This miracle of nature wind created that brought the sand. So if you visit Deliblato sands, you will be walking across the last desert in Europe – how cool is that!?

Also, thanks to its diverse flora and fauna, this area was declared a special nature reserve. With more than 300 square kilometres of dunes and hills, you will encounter numerous plant and animal species. This place is a true delicacy for all nature explorers and outdoor lovers. Come and see some of the 900 species of plants and many rare species. Oh, even twenty species of orchids that attract flower connoisseurs from around the world are found here. So if you come here in the springtime, you will fall in love with the awakening nature. Besides, many animal species living here are rare species. That means you cannot see them in the rest of the old continent – just here in Serbia, in Deliblato Sands!

Fruška Gora is a mountain located in Vojvodina. This national park is one of the most developed tourist destinations in Serbia. Serbia is nature at its best! Beautiful landscapes and spacious picnic areas are what make Fruška Gora a perfect destination for hiking. Apart from this, Fruška Gora also has an exceptional cultural value thanks to a group of religious buildings of magical architecture and great historical significance. Besides, hiking trails on Fruška Gora lead through beautiful deciduous forests and across meadows. Also, you can choose less demanding hiking trails that offer walking without much effort. But also, you can take a little harder ones that require more effort due to their length and ascent. Please know your physical and mental condition well! Enjoy horseback riding in Fruska Gora!

Most of the trails have mountaineering signs, which ensures the safety of the park visitors. Fruška Gora is famous for its monasteries starting from the late Middle Ages. Serbia’s tourism develops thanks to Fruška Gora. If you choose Fruška National Park and its hiking trails, you will admire over 1400 species of plants! Here are the most popular viewpoints:

– Kesten
– Orlove Stene
– the Orlovo bojište
-Dunavski
– Brankovac
-Duškov viewpoint

Eastern Serbia perhaps lacks modern cities and towns but not in natural goodness. The Vratna Gates is one of the natural wonders you will love in Serbia. Three natural stone bridges are all unique and spectacular. The gates formed when the flowing Vratna river caused the roof of a cave to collapse. Then Erosion and time did their job too. The river Vratna created more caves whose ceilings collapsed over time. Collapsing of the caves formed unique natural monuments called. Those are called Prerast. Prerasts are in the shape of unusual stone bridges. Three stone arches are the most beautiful ones in this area: Suva Prerast, Velika Prerast, and Mala Prerast. These three are amongst Europe’s biggest and highest natural bridges. The best time to hike in this area is in autumn and in spring.

Then, there is a marked path that will lead you to the arches. It begins near Vratna Monastery and continues through the dense forest. Mala and Velika Prerast are closer, but Suvi Prerast is not that close. You will reach it after more than two hours of walking through the canyon. That is the youngest of the three gates and also the most challenging. On top of all, there are also unexplored caves nearby! Vratna Gates is indeed a delicacy of Serbia’s nature and one of the best hiking places in the country, perfect for romantic getaways for couples or adventure team-building activities.

In a nutshell, almost anywhere you go in this country, you will explore Serbia’s most beautiful hikes, perhaps even the most beautiful hikes in Europe. Serbia offers the best views across its majestic landscape and surreal viewpoints. You must visit Serbia and embark on a hiking adventure!