Tara National Park
Pristine rivers, ancient forests, and bears that mind their business.Ancient pine forests and deep river canyons stretch across this mountain wilderness in Bosnia. Limestone cliffs rise above crystal-clear lakes where brown bears and wolves roam freely.
Tara National Park covers western Serbia along the Bosnia and Herzegovina border. You can hike through dense forests of Serbian spruce, stand at the edge of the 1,000-meter-deep Drina River Canyon, or swim in mountain lakes beneath limestone cliffs. The park's peaks reach 1,591 meters, with trails leading to viewpoints like Banjska Stena where you can see three countries at once. The 13th-century Rača Monastery sits among the beech forests, while brown bears roam the remote areas of the park.
Getting to Tara National Park
The park lies 200 kilometers west of Belgrade. Drive via Šabac and Loznica in 3-4 hours. Buses run twice daily from Belgrade to Bajina Bašta, but they don't reach the park itself. Your best options are renting a car or joining a day tour from Belgrade. Enter through the town of Bajina Bašta or go directly to the visitor center in Mitrovac.
Natural Landmarks in the Park
The Drina River Canyon cuts between Serbia and Bosnia, with walls dropping from 1,000 meters to 250 meters. You can swim and kayak in Perućac Lake, which fills part of the canyon. Higher in the mountains, Zaovine Lake sits at 800 meters elevation, surrounded by meadows where you can camp or swim during summer months.
Viewpoints and Observation Points
From Banjska Stena at 1,065 meters, you'll see three countries: Serbia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. Nine other observation points dot the park, including Kićac with its views of Perućac Lake, and Vranovina overlooking the spruce forests. Stop at Zelenika viewpoint right off the main road from Perućac to see the canyon without hiking.
Hiking and Activities
Walk any of the 290 kilometers of marked trails throughout the park. For short walks, start at the trails near Omorika Hotel. More challenging routes climb to the highest peaks and connect to long-distance trails in western Serbia. Kayak or raft on the Drina River from April to October, or fish in Perućac and Zaovine lakes with a permit from the park office.
Flora and Wildlife
More than 2,000 plant species grow in the park, including the Serbian spruce - a tree that botanist Josif Pancic identified here in 1875. Brown bears live in the remote areas, though they rarely come near hiking trails. Beech and fir forests cover the mountain slopes, with wildflower meadows opening up at higher elevations.
Cultural Sites
Walk through the stone archways of Rača Monastery, built in the 13th century under King Dragutin. Monks here preserved medieval Serbian manuscripts through centuries of Ottoman rule. In Perućac town, see the Vrelo River, which runs exactly 365 meters from spring to waterfall - one meter for each day of the year.
Practical Information
Get maps and trail information at the visitor centers in Bajina Bašta and Mitrovac. Most areas are free to access, except the Red Stream – Carpet Meadows area (100 dinars). The park's center has restrooms, information points, and small shops selling local products. Visit in July-August for swimming and hiking, or May-June and September-October for clear skies and moderate temperatures.
