Things to see and do Western Serbia

Tara Park is certainly the most beautiful park in Serbia and one of the main ones in the Balkans, rich in a wide variety of animal and plant species. It is distinguished from other parks by its forests of Serbian spruce (a protected species and classified as endangered), which was discovered by the botanist Josif Pančić in 1875. In addition to spruce, the park is also characterized by primary forests of beech and fir. As for the mountain fauna, they are all here: bears weighing up to 250 kg, chamois taking refuge on the high walls, skilful lynx and reckless eagles. Also wolves, foxes, wild boars and... hedgehogs. Finally, more than 140 species of birds live and grow freely in the park, with some species preserved because they are endangered. As for the flora, it is represented by an omnipresent forest, composed of very high and dark green alpine trees: high firs, pines up to 150 years old, flaming larches and numerous beeches. But the most amazing is the famous pančićeva omorika: a fir tree that grows only in these remote areas, and reaches considerable heights thanks to a special orography. Finally, more than 1,000 species of flowers are present here, a third of the species growing on the territory of Serbia! From daffodils and violets that can be found in all the Alps, to protected species endemic to the region: the božur so purple or the jeremičak with white and ochre colors.

The Uvac River, nestled comfortably between the mountains of Zlatar and Zlatibor and the towns of Nova Varoš and Sjenica, is especially known for its dazzling meanders.

The best way to enjoy it is to take a boat or kayak ride, as this will allow you to appreciate the full grandeur of the gorge and, at the same time, to follow the flight of many rare and protected bird species, as well as to watch them fly proudly from the cliffs surrounding the gorge. The meanders can be admired from the Uvac lake, created by the construction of a dam. A great view is also offered by the many viewpoints overlooking the Uvac River.
The slopes of the gorge hide entrances leading to several caves, the most important of which create the Ušac Cave Complex, consisting of the Ušac, Ledena, Bezdana, Tubića and Baždarska Caves. This reserve is known as the habitat of the last (endangered) European Griffon vultures, which form their nests on cliffs and in caves overlooking the lake. This area is inhabited by more than 100 pairs and recently other species such as the black vulture and the Egyptian vulture, as well as the golden eagle and the white-tailed eagle have established themselves here, which is great news for biodiversity! The gorge is rich in spruce and birch forests and there are also many species of medicinal and aromatic plants.

The Gradac river gorge, which stretches south of Valjevo, is one of the natural attractions of Western Serbia. Numerous meanders and significant erosion contribute to form, a few kilometers from the city, interesting canyons for climbing or walking. The walks on the paths cross a dense forest, while below flow the pure and clear waters of the Gradac. Springs proliferate in this favorable environment. We suggest the following walk: start from the Gradac spring called Zelenaca (only 3-7 °C); following the Kolovrat spring, you will arrive at the point called Šareno, where the Gradac association has a bivouac. A night at this place is full of charm, close to three springs and some dantesque whirlpools! The Gradac valley is also popular with fishermen - Degurić and Novaković are their favorite places - and bathers. A few typical Western Serbian waterwheels adorn the route, like the one in Savina, magnified in a poem by Milovan Glišić.

For caving enthusiasts, there is a cave that is still untracked and unmarked: Petnića. Next to the village of Petnica, 8 km from Valjevo, this cave is an important paleontological and archaeological site. The entrance to the cave can be visited without a lamp; the cave is 580 m deep and has 414 m of corridors. In front of the cave, whose entrance is impressive, the site has been developed.