Mountain Rudnik - winter ascent to Cvijić's Peak

• Hiking
• One-day
• Mountaineering

Mountain Rudnik is pictorially called the "roof of Šumadija", because it really is. Cvijićev vrh (1132 m) on Rudnik is the highest in the whole of Šumadija and represents its hydrographic hub between the catchments of Zapadna Morava, Velika Morava and Kolubara. The mountain got its name because of the lead and zinc ore it is rich in. The most interesting phenomenon related to Rudnik is volcanism, as evidenced by the rock masses that build it, but also the former volcanic cup Ostrovica.

On this tour, we will go up to Cvijićev peak and Srednji Šturac peak, from where we will enjoy the view of the heart of Šumadija. The mountain is characterized by exceptional forest cover, great sunshine throughout the year, currents and air ionization that make it an air spa. The adventure is completed by a play on words: on Mount Rudnik in the village of Rudnik there is a lead and zinc mine called "Rudnik".

Additional notes:

• Equipment for the Rudnik mountain tour: Deep hiking boots with a vibrating sole or deep shoes/boots for snow, backpack, layered wardrobe, warm for winter conditions (winter jacket, hat, leggings, gloves), we recommend trekking poles, bring enough water and some food (snacks, sandwiches, fruit).
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • Length: 17 km
  • Total ascend/descend: 700 m/500 m
  • Category: moderate
  • Duration: about 6h-7h
• A minimum of 18 applicants is required for the realization of the Rudnik mountain 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 3900 dinars.
• Own transportation: for this tour own transport is not possible, because the starting and ending point of the hiking tour is not the same.
• In case of unfavorable weather conditions or an insufficient number of registered passengers, the deadline for notification of postponement or cancellation of the tour is 2 days before departure.
• Photos used in the gallery: BrankaVV, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons Planina Rudnik, pogled iz Majdana, Obronci planine Rudnik – manastir Vracevsnica, Strogi prirodni rezervat Veliki Sturac, planina Rudnik

Nearby attractions

Ostrovica (758 m) - The local population calls it Ostrvica and it is often better known by that name. It represents a sharp volcanic cone, steep sides and is always recognizable in the relief of Šumadija.

The ascent to Ostrovica usually starts from the village of Varnice and lasts about 2 hours, but it is technically much more demanding and a challenge for hikers. On Ostrovica are the remains of a former fortified town, which is first mentioned in history in the 14th century.

Djuradj Brankovic renewed this fortification. The locality is also called Jerina's town, because according to the legend of Jerina, Đurađ Branković's wife died right there. Jerina is popularly known as "damned Jerina" because of the belief that she tortured the masters during the renovation of the town on Ostrovica.

Numerous archeological finds testify that the Romans mined here, and in addition to the old mining shafts, the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Mother Earth were found.

A mint was located in Rudnik in the Serbian medieval state during the reign of King Dragutin. King Dragutin's dinar was the first Serbian dinar with a Cyrillic inscription. When Serbia fell under Turkish rule, Rudnik became a Turkish town and administrative seat. The unique seal found during the research of the medieval city indicates that Prince Lazar stayed here and issued charters.

Cities - Remains of the Turkish town of Rudnik, located on a gentle slope of the highest peak of Veliki Šturc, about 3 km from the village of Rudnik.

Misa - This site was considered to be the remains of a Catholic church, Saxon or Dubrovnik, but research has shown that it is an Islamic place of worship. It is assumed that it was a sanctuary of Muslims who mined here.

Monument to Arsenij Loma - a monument was erected in honor of the fallen warriors in the First Serbian Uprising. Here are the remains of Arsenij Lome, a prominent duke of Kacer.

Petkovica Monastery (Petkovica Rudnička) - a cultural monument of great importance, built in the second half of the 13th century during the reign of King Dragutin.

Vraćevšnica Monastery - on the southern slopes of Rudnik, renovated by Prince Milan Obrenović. Karadjordj convened the National Assembly in the monastery, at which the provisions of the peace in Bucharest were read, and the decision was made here that the new capital of Serbia would be Kragujevac. The museum exhibition of the monastery contains objects from the Second Serbian Uprising and personal belongings of Prince Miloš Obrenović.

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.