Welcome to a tour through one of the most authentic and least explored corners of Serbia! The Svrljig Mountains, located between the Svrljig Timok River, the Niš Basin, and the Sićevo Gorge, are a true paradise for lovers of untouched nature and the tranquility that is increasingly hard to find these days. The highest peak, Zeleni vrh (1,334 m), rises above vast pastures where the famous Svrljig sheep graze – a symbol of local identity.
Niševac Gorge is a natural gem and part of the 15 km long Svrljig Gorge. Its rugged yet enchanting landscape has always attracted those seeking peace, authenticity, and a connection with nature in its purest form.
Our trail leads us to the Belica River, a left tributary of the Svrljig Timok, known for its spectacular natural cauldrons – hollows in the rock formed by centuries of swirling water. During the summer months, the waters of the Belica offer true refreshment for both body and soul – forget about swimming pools, here you’ll find a natural spa in the most beautiful setting.
The Banjica swimming area on the Svrljig Timok is another spot that refreshes and delights – clean water, plenty of springs, and the tranquility of nature make it perfect for relaxation and recreation.
On this tour, you can expect:
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Passing through the fascinating Niševac Gorge
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Refreshing swim at the Banjica swimming area
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Exploring the Belica canyon and swimming in natural cauldrons
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Climb to the medieval fortress of Svrljig Grad
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Visit to the mysterious Kulska Cave
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Authentic local lunch in Svrljig
Why choose this tour?
On this tour in southern Serbia, you can expect a combination of natural wonders, historical sites, and active time spent in nature – all in one day. The tour is circular, starting and ending in the village of Niševac. The trail is diverse – easy to moderately challenging, passable, and well-marked. It’s ideal for warm summer days, as water accompanies you at every step – to refresh yourself, recharge, and fully experience nature.
| DEPARTURE LOCATION | Belgrade, the parking lot at the municipality of New Belgrade |
| DEPARTURE TIME | 7h |
| INCLUDED IN THE PRICE | Transportation from Belgrade
Hiking through the Nisevac gorge Guide, sightseeing according to the program and organization of the tour Accident insurance |
| NOT INCLUDED | Lunch
Other individual costs |
Additional notes:
- Equipment for the Svrljiške mountains tour - Niševac gorge and Belica canyon: Sports shoes with a stronger sole, sun protection (cap, hat), summer clothes, a small backpack, bring enough water (minimum 1.5 l) and some food (snacks, fruit). The tour also includes swimming at the Banjica beach on Svrljiški Timok, so a bathing suit is required. Also, those who want to enter the pots of the Belica river need sports shoes (slippers, sandals, or flip-flops are not recommended) and a swimming suit. Bring spare clothes and shoes.
- Trail information:
- Length: 14 km in total
- Total ascend/descend: 203/287 m
- Category: easy
- Duration: around 6 hours with breaks
- For the realization of the Svrljiške mountains tour, a minimum of 19 applicants is required.
- Own transportation: In case you are arriving with your own transportation, the price of the tour is 3.700 dinars.
- Transportation from Novi Sad: the surcharge is 1200 dinars. Another option is to take the train to the Novi Beograd railway station, where you can wait for our transport. You can see the timetable here.
- Accident insurance: in order for this type of insurance to be active, you need to send us your personal number (JMBG) when registering.
- In case of an insufficient number of registered passengers or unfavorable weather conditions, the deadline for notification of postponement or cancellation of the tour is 2 days before departure.
- Photos used: Naslovne i još neke u galeriji, Nenad Aranđelović Svrljig
Attractions
Ancient Svrljig town - dates back to Roman times, and belonged to the province of Moesia. In the vicinity of Svrljig was the first station from Nis called Timacum Maius or Veliki Timok. Roman traces were found in the settlement of Niševac and it is believed that there was a larger Roman settlement there. The Romans founded Svrljig in the 1st century AD. It was an important city of the Nemanjic state.
Evorsion pots of the river Belica - represent a real natural rarity. There are 16 of them in a row, and they are located in a specific canyon, which is only a hundred meters long. The boilers themselves are recessed, created by centuries of water circulation. It is ideal to visit them during the summer months as the water level is higher, and since their cold, drinking water is a real medicine for body and soul.
Kula Cave - is located under one of the towers of the old town of Svrljig. The entrance is difficult to access, and the cave channel is about 80 m long. Only the bottom of the cave is rocky towards the entrance, i.e. the gorge of Svrljiški Timok.
Milutin Milanković and Niševac
The village Niševac, where our walking tour begins, is also known as the birthplace of one of the most important Serbian scientists - Milutin Milanković (1879-1958), a world-renowned astronomer, climatologist and geophysicist.
Milanković is known for his theory of climate change based on changes in the Earth's orbit and tilt - today known as Milanković cycles, which explain the origin of the ice ages.
The Milanković family house can still be seen in Niševac today, and the locals proudly emphasize its importance.
The organizer of the tour is the travel agency Explore Balkans doo. With this program are valid General conditions of travel organizer and Rulebook on conducting tours by Explore Balkans doo.
According to Article 79 of the Law on Tourism, protection is not provided for one-day tours in terms of travel guarantees.
Belgrade - Svrljig - Niševac
- Gathering of the group in the early hours of the morning. Departure at 7 a.m. from the parking lot behind the municipality of Novi Beograd. Driving on the highway to Nis, with a turn off at Malče to Svrljig. During the journey, we take a short break of about 30 minutes for coffee and breakfast.
- We continue on the local road to the village of Niševac, which is located at the foot of the Svrljiške mountains and represents our starting point for hiking.
Hiking tour: Niševac Gorge - Banjica swimming area - Svrljig town - Belica canyon
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The tour starts in the village Niševac (355 m), and the first stop on the trail is the refreshing Banjica bath on the river Svrljiški Timok. After a short stop, we cross the railway bridge and pass through two short tunnels along the old railway route to the village Varoš.
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From here starts the ascent to the remains of the medieval Svrljig grada, an important site from the Roman and Nemanjic times. Nearby is the Tower Cave, hidden under one of the towers, available to enthusiasts who want an extra challenge.
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We continue to the Belica river canyon, where the famous erosional cauldrons - natural pools carved into the rocks over the centuries - await us. In the summer months, they are an ideal place for swimming and resting in the shade. Anyone who wants to will be able to enter the boilers, if the water level of the river allows.
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The trail is circular, occasionally challenging but accessible and well-marked – ideal for recreational hikers with basic fitness.
- Information about a hiking trail: dužine 14 km, sa usponom oko 300 m, spada u laku kategoriju i prelazi se za oko 5 do 6 sati sa pauzama.
Svrljig - Belgrade
- At the end of the hiking tour, we go to Svrljig, where we will have a late lunch with local specialties - Svrljig cheese, lamb, proja, and other local dishes from this region.
- After lunch and a short rest, we head back to Belgrade. The return is planned for around 11 pm.
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