Svrljig Mountains - Nisevac gorge and Belica canyon

• Hiking
• Sightseeing

The Svrljig mountains are bounded by the Svrljig Timok in the north, the Sićevačka gorge in the south, the Trgoviška Timok in the east and the Niš valley in the west. The highest peak is Zeleni vrh 1334 m. The mountain is forested and covered with dense pastures where the famous Svrljig sheep graze.

The Nisevac gorge is an integral part of the 15 km long Svrljig gorge. Nature is untouched, and the gorge has retained its beauty that has always attracted people.

Belica is a left tributary of the Svrljig Timok and is known for the boilers that were created by the circular movement of river water. During the hot summer days, the water of the river Belica is a real refreshment for body and soul.

The Banjica beach on Svrljiški Timok is a real attraction. An exceptional place for rest and recreation, plenty of springs and drinking water.

On this tour, we will pass through the Nisevac gorge, cool off at the Banjica beach, and visit the canyon of the river Belica. On the trail are exceptional natural beauties and important historical sites. There is no better way to spend a hot summer day!

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.
• 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 4500 dinars.
• Transportation from Novi Sad: surcharge is 1000 dinars.
• Own transportation: in case you come by your own transport, the price of the tour is 2800 dinars (with Explore Serbia membership cards) or 3400 dinars (for those who do not have a membership card).
• 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.
• Photos used: 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.

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.