Vinatovača rainforest, Straža peak - the heart of Kučaj Mountains

• Hiking
• Eastern Serbia
• One-day
• Spring 2024

In eastern Serbia, in the region of Gornja Resava, not far from Despotovac, near the Kučaj Mountains, real rainforest wilderness and beauty are hidden. On 37 hectares, and at a height of about 600 to 800 m above sea level, the Vinatovača rainforest, the only Serbian rainforest, stretches. It is under state protection as a strict category I nature reserve. The real treasure of the Kučaj region, together with the Vinatovac stream, the left tributary of the Resava river, makes this region even more mysterious and wild, the fact that it is more difficult to access. 

The Kučaj Mountains stretch between the Resava and Zlotska Rivers and Crni Timok. They belong to the group of Carpathian-Balkan mountains, they are mainly built of slate and limestone, so there are numerous karst landforms, such as caves, coves, and pits. The entire area of the Kučaj Mountains is a real challenge for adventurers and lovers of caves and speleology. The Kučaj mountains are also the largest uninhabited area in Serbia. The area is also rich in cultural and historical heritage, since prehistoric times.

Nature protected area Kučaj-Beljanica is in the process of being declared a national park of Serbia. It is made up of two mountain units: in the north is the Beljanica mountain block, and in the south across the Resava valley extends the vast Kučaj plateau. It covers the area in eastern Serbia bounded from the north by the Žagubička basin, while the southern border is made by the mountain Rtanj. The protected area belongs to the municipalities of Despotovac, Žagubica, Bor and Boljevac. The great wealth of ornitofauna, the presence of rare and endangered plant and animal species enables Beljanica and the Kučaj mountains to receive the first degree of protection.

On this hiking tour, we will have the opportunity to walk through the Serbian rainforest and go on an adrenaline-pumping climb to the top of Straž. We will rest our eyes, learn something new, and come back full of impressions, great photos, and memories to remember. 

Additional notes:

• Equipment for the Vinatovac rainforest tour: Deep hiking shoes with a Vibram sole, backpack, layered wardrobe, adapted to the weather conditions, we recommend hiking poles, bring enough water and some food (snacks, sandwiches, fruit).
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • Length: around 15 km
  • The lowest point: 650 m
  • The highest peak: 1256 m
  • Total ascend/descend: about 750 m
  • Category: medium, the walk is mostly through the forest, along the ridge, and partly along the rocky cliffs
  • Duration: about 7h-8h with breaks
• A minimum of 18 registrants is required for the realization of the Vinatovača rainforest tour.
• 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 4800 dinars.
• Own transportation: in case you come with your transport, the price of the tour is 2,700 dinars (with Explore Serbia membership cards) or 3,700 dinars (for those who do not have a membership card).
• 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 insufficient number of registered passengers or unfavorable weather conditions, the deadline for notification of the postponement or cancellation of the tour by the organizers 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.

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.