Active Holidays in TAKE the Region A DEEP of Western BREATH Serbia AND LOOK UP HIGH IN THE SKY ear guests, friends, travelers, children and young people, the young Dat heart and you living your best age… Dear nature, challenge and relaxation lovers, dear adventurers and inquisitors welcome to the region of Western Serbia, a heavenly retreat in nature and the home of hospitable people. We want to surprise the uninformed, make the indecisive happy, change the mind of the sceptics! On these pages we offer you a little piece of heaven, a short guide to active holidays on wonderful locations in Western Serbia. We offer rest if you get tired, relaxation and oblivion if you are tense; we offer excitement and thrills to curious minds, and adrenaline-pumping activities to the brave. There are plenty of reasons to visit! You can choose going on a leisurely hike across flowery meadows of Mount Zlatibor, Tara, Kamena Gora…Or fishing in the Drina, Lim and Skrapež, crystal clear mountain rivers…Or the Drina and Lim rafting. You can go cycling through attractive landscapes or hunting in the Tara woods. Or would you rather go canyoning in the Djetinja, Dubočica and Mileševka rivers? It’s possible you prefer skiing on Tornik or snowmobile and four-wheeler riding in beautiful mountains of Zlatibor, Tara, Zlatar and Golija. You may as well choose horseback riding or just enjoy gathering medicinal herbs. You can also enjoy taking deep full breaths of fresh air while taking in the incredible scenery of Golija Mountain. Whatever kind of holiday you choose, we are convinced you will recognize, even for a brief period of time, the place you have always wanted to explore. We will be waiting for you! Tourist Organization of Western Serbia WESTERN SERBIA RELAX YOUR BODY, FEED YOUR SOUL The region of Western Serbia is rich in picturesque and idyllic countryside making life look unreal in its beauty and making you feel special and privileged. Shady, lush evergreen and deciduous forests; clear, hot mountain streams, sparkling waterfalls and crystal clear springs; rolling plateaus, magnificent mountain peaks connecting you to the blue heavens... Such an environment is a haven for activities that relieve the stress of the urban din and inject a dose of blissfully pure air, enjoyed among friendly and cordial folk. f you travel through the region from east to west, make sure to visit Arilje. Follow the marked hiking trails to reach the village Tara has 18 marked hiking trails with a total length of 120km. If you decide to of Brekovo and visit Vodena Cave (Water Cave), an attraction I use these trails, you should take a hiking of the region in the vicinity of the Church of St. Nicholas built in map with you, which you can get at the 13th century. information points in the park. Hiking lovers can enjoy the hiking trail between Roška Ploča and Drežnička Gradina situated in the shiny Požega basin that leads to the local tourist attractions: Roška Spa and a suspension bridge spanning the river Rzav. There is also the ranch “Orlovo gnezdo” (“Eagle’s Nest”) aimed at experienced mountaineers. There are few who haven’t heard of the mountain goddess Tara with its slopes unreal in their beauty making it a real heaven for hikers and mountaineers. While hiking any of this area’s numer- ous trails of different length and severity, the scent of various fragrant forest plants and rare endemic species such as Pančić Nova Varoš invites you to enjoy the natural beauties and pearls of spruce will follow you on your way. At the end of the road there Uvac and Zlatar for climbing the Uvac River Canyon and Mount are beautiful lookouts you just need to climb. Zlatar represents a true enjoyment. The 7 km long trail connects Those who prefer challenges and a harsh environment can visit two beautiful lakes – Zlatarsko and Radoinjsko Lakes. The starting Golija, the Biosphere Reserve and the only nature park in Serbia point of the hike is Kokin Brod, in the vicinity of the visitor centre, declared by UNESCO’s MAB Council. If you are not brave enough while the finishing point is the lake beach at Radoinja. The long- to visit Golija, you can go to Mucina voda (Mucina Water), Gliječ, est section of the trail passes through the Special Nature Reserve Ravana, Palibrčki grob (Palibrčki Tomb), Šljivičko brdo (Šljivičko Uvac in the vicinity of the ethno village of Vraneša so the hike Hill)...You should visit Taorska vrela (Taorska Springs), Divčibare, can be combined with a visit to the village, a lookout or the visi- caves and waterfall in Skakavci in the municipality of Kosjerić. tor centre. In the municipality of Priboj there are a Glacier Cave, medieval After a short break in Užice, you can go to Jelova Gora (Jelova towns, the monasteries of Uvac and Orahovica, Crni vrh, Ljesko- Forest), Kadinjača, Zlakusa, Bela Zemlja (White Land). If you vac and the hermitage Bjeličkovica. In the region of Prijepolje decide to hike all the way to Mount Zlatibor, take a break at the you will find a real pearl in the form of the Sopotnica River monument on Šumatno Hill, and visit Ribničko Lake and the cascades, the air spa of Kamena Gora (Stone Forest), Jadovik, the Natural Monument of Stopić Cave. Mileševka River Canyon... STEP BY STEP... Recreational hiking in the region is an attractive recreational alternative for those seeking a challenge. Famous painter Paul Klee once said “on foot you see better”. Hiking is more than just walking – it is an intense experience of nature through its scenery and scents. In Western Serbia you will get to know and experience nature from the marked hiking trails of Mount Tara, Zlatibor, Zlakusa, Jelova Gora near Uzice, in the area of Mount Zlatar and elsewhere. One exceptional challenge is conquering Kamena Gora near Prijepolje, a beautiful village of centenarian residents. Hiking has an important tradition in the Prijepolje area and there are around 100 kilometres of marked trails. Jarevac hiking trail at Kaludjerske Hiking – educational trail There are several beautiful hiking trails Bare, 1.300m long and 1.060m above “Banjska Stena” (“Spa Rock”) at Zlatibor. The famous Čigota, well sea level. An easy beginner trail at Mitrovac, 6.5km long, for known for its weight loss program, uses passing through fields where you visitors of all ages. All you these popular hiking trails on can see rare plants characteristic for need is comfortable shoes the beaten path. Mount Tara wet habitats (Siberian Iris, and a good will. The trail is Gladiolus Imbricatus…) an easy 1 hour 30 min walk. Apart from the recreation and pleasure, enjoying the natural beauties and CONTACTS rarities of this area, Tourist Information Centre of Arilje municipality you will be able to see tel/fax: +381 31 891 287 numerous cultural and [email protected] historical monuments. Mountaineering Association “Stari Vlah” Section Well marked hiking Based in Čačak trails connect Zlatibor Contact person: and Zlakusa, Mokra Miljan Vasiljević +381 63 71 62 404 Gora and Kadinjača, Jelova Gora and the Bajina Bašta Mountaineering Association “Omorika” Derventa River Gorge. “Vukovi sa Drine” Ivanjica PSK “Golija” Aco Marković The hiking trail “Terzića +381 65 64 08 299 avlija” is devided into four PSK “Stari vlah” sections according to Zdravko Ćurčić +381 64 32 77 902 the length and severity. Darko Ćurčić They intersect each other +381 64 32 77 902 so they are available to [email protected] all the types of hikers. Tourist Organization of Kosjerić The longest trail is called +381 31 782 155 “Dušan the Mighty“ [email protected] (24.8km). Then there are Mountaineering and Ecology Club “Subjel”, Kosjerić the trails “The First Užice Milan Vasović Partisan Detachment” +381 63 10 94 146 [email protected] (14.9km) and “The Potters of Zlakusa” (14.2km). “The Požega “Maljen” Mountaineers Association Trail of Health” (5.8km) is Milovan Vuksanović the shortes and the easiest +381 69 74 04 01 one. The starting and Priboj finishing points of all the “Ljeskovac” Mountaineering Association trails is in the ethno park Haris Djidić +381 64 15 89 234 of Terzića avlija. Prijepolje Mountaineering Club “Kamena Gora” There are marked trails at Ilija Andrejić +381 64 8289 888 Golija and nearby Ivanjica Ilijaandrji’@yahoo.com with a total length of 100km. Užice “Rujno” Mountaineering Association Ivan Obućina Hikers can enjoy the +381 65 50 00 622 circular trail, a part of Zlatibor the European Walking Institute for the Thyroid Gland and Metabolism “Čigota” Route E7, connecting +381 31 841 141 the natural and cultural Mountaineering Association monuments of Priboj, +381 64 815 52 64, +381 64 248 09 96 Prijepolje, Nova Varoš, Tourist Organization of Zlatibor Sjenica and Ivanjica. +381 31 841 646 The track connecting Zlatibor and Tara via Mokra Gora is a real paradise for cyclists. Along with the main route connecting the two mountains, there ENJOY THE are circular cycle routes at Zlatibor, Mokra Gora and Tara. MOVEMENT Due to specific geographic features and natural charateristics of the region of Western Serbia, you can choose different types of outdoor recreation. The adventure spirit and imagination joined together in the intense feeling of enjoyment will lead you to the cycling adventure down the beautiful cycle routes through the fragrant forests of Mounts Tara, Zlatibor, Golija and Zlatar as well as through the unbelievable beauty of the Uvac River Canyon. Terrain configuration of the region of Western Serbia will influence your cycle route choice. There are all types of routes: from the easy ones for beginners, to the medium-hard ones for those seeking recreation to the hard ones for lovers of mountain cycling.