2024

GORGES DU GRADAC ET GROTTE PETNICA

Natural site to discover

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.

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