TARA MOUNTAIN
Tara National Park encompasses a mountainous landscape in western Serbia that was placed under protection in 1981. year. A protected area of nearly 25,000 hectares covers most of the Tara and Zvijezda mountain ranges emanated during the Drina between Bajina Basta in Serbia and Visegrad in Bosnia.
Tara is one of the medium tall mountains and represents limestone surfaces, average altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 meters, which are cut by numerous canals and gorges and from which peaks rise – Kozji rid 1,591, Zboriste 1,544, Janjac 1,473, Smiljevac 1,445, Galinik 1,305… The lowest point in the park is the Vrelo River at 234 meters.
The basic value of Tara National Park is mixed forests covering over 80% of the park’s surface. So far, one-third of Serbia’s flora, or close to 1,200 plant species, has been registered in the area, including Serbian spruce, an endemic and relic species of conifers that survived the last ice age. Also, Mount Tara is a refuge for over 140 species of birds, 19 species of fish and 60 species of mammals, among them the largest black bear population in Serbia.
Throughout the park, there are numerous archaeological sites and monuments dating from the Neoliths to the late Middle Ages. The most important are the Raca Monastery, the 13th-century endowment of King Dragutin. and necropolises with stacks in Perucac and Rastiste, which in 2016 were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Many viewpoints, such as Banjska and Biljeska Stena, Sjenic, Crnjeskovo, Sokolarica and Oslusa, attract the most attention, with unforgettable views. Also a major attraction is the Drina River Canyon with Perucac Lake , where boat cruises are organized.
Visitors can enjoy about 290 km on designated hiking trails and more than 75 km of bike routes, starting from tourist centres. Also, 6 educational walks have been arranged, as well as the first track in Serbia tailored for people with disabilities. Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, drina rafting, board rowing (SUP), and the novelty offers bear-watching tours.
CURIOSITIES ABOUT TARA
Tara National Park has 290km of hiking trails, 1,156 plant species, 58 mammal species and 140 bird species.
Since 2006. the Junior Ranger Camp is organized in Tara National Park. It is a unique educational programme for primary school children (7-15 years old) developed in the model of the European Association of National Parks (Europarc Federation) – Junior Ranger Camp.
Tara National Park is home to more than 50 individuals of THE DARK BEAR (Ursus arctos), which is the largest beast in Europe. On Tara, you can see him in his natural habitat from safe checks in the feeding grounds. This tour is organized by Tara National Park.
PHOTO GALLERY
EXPLORE TARA NATIONAL PARK
VIEWPOINTS ON TARA
Sightseeing in Tara National Park are the most attractive locations from which this protected area is introduced and experienced in a special and in its own way. The views on Tara are not counted, most of them are inaccessible, but the most beautiful, thankfully, can be reached.
