Avala hiking – Lake Bela Reka, Beli Potok

• Hiking
• One-day

Avala is a Šumadija mountain and one of the symbols of Belgrade. With the highest peak of 511 m, dense forests of deciduous trees, it is an ideal place to escape to nature. About 20 km away from Belgrade is one of the favorite picnic spots of citizens of Belgrade.

Avala is a protected natural asset with about 600 plant species. In addition to medicinal plant species, some plants are natural rarities, such as zanovet, golden and zelenika. It is well wooded with wild trees, while part of it is under a planted pine forest.

The word avala is of oriental origin and comes from Arabic word havala, which means viewpoint. Back in Roman times, there was a military fortress on top of this mountain, in the same place in the Middle Ages there was the Serbian town of Žrnov, and today there is a monument to the Unknown Hero. At the top is the Avalski Tower, about 200 meters high, with a lookout point offering a beautiful view of Šumadija.

For many, it is a complete unknown that at the foot of Avala there is a lake called Bela Reka. On this trip, you will see exactly where it is. On a 16 km long hiking tour from Ripanj village Bela Reka, via Pinosava, to the "Čarapićev Brest" mountain lodge, you will enjoy the most beautiful viewu of Avala. The hiking trail leads through preserved forests of different species of oak, beech, cherry, ash and many others. You will enjoy the clean air, the smell and the sounds of nature.

Additional notes:

• Equipment for the Avala hiking tour: Deep hiking shoes with Vibram soles or deep snow shoes/boots, backpack, layered clothing, adapted to the weather conditions (for winter conditions - hat, gaiters, gloves), we recommend poles, bring enough water and some food (snacks, sandwiches, fruit) .
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • Length: 16km
  • Total ascend/descend: around 450 m
  • Category: easy
  • Duration: about 5 to 6 hours with breaks
• Author of the trail: Vlada Stajić
• For the realization of the Avala hiking tour, a minimum of 30 registrants is necessary.
• Due to winter conditions, possible deep snow and mud, the trail is not recommended for children under 10 years old.
• Price is for members of "Explore Serbia". You can find membership information here. For those who do not have a membership card, the price is 3500 dinars.
• Transportation from Novi Sad: for the organization of transportation from Novi Sad, a minimum of 10 passengers is required. The surcharge for transportation from Novi Sad is 1,200 dinars.
• Own transportation: for the Avala hiking tour, your own transport is not possible, because the starting point and end point of the hike are not the same.
• In case of 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.

• Trip cancellations by passengers: 

  • In case of cancellation of the trip by the passenger, 5 or more days before the tour date, the Agency retains the amount of 20% of the reservation costs.
  • In case the traveler cancels the trip less than 5 days before the trip, the agency reserves the right to the entire amount. In case of replacement by another passenger who is found either by the passenger himself or by the Agency, 90% of the paid amount is returned to the passenger.
  • In case of illness of the passenger and cancellation up to 3 days before the tour, the paid money can be returned or the amount can be transferred for another tour organized by the Agency, and the traveler is obliged to send medical documentation about the illness in writing. In case of illness of the traveler and cancellation less than 3 days before the tour, in addition to sending medical documentation about the illness, the traveler is obliged to compensate the Agency for the incurred costs (transportation and travel organization costs), and part of the money can be refunded.
• Photos used: Aleksandar Lakic, Aval tower view from the monument to the Unknown Hero CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Jeff Attaway, View from Avala Mountain

The organizer of the tour is the travel agency Explore Balkans doo. With this program is valid 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.