Tara National Park: Wilderness, Lakes & the Drina Canyon
Tara National Park is one of Serbia’s most spectacular natural treasures — a vast, forested mountain paradise that plunges dramatically into the emerald-green canyon of the Drina River. Covering nearly 25,000 hectares of pristine wilderness, the park is home to dense pine and spruce forests, glacial lakes, deep limestone caves, and an extraordinary diversity of wildlife including brown bears, wolves, golden eagles, and the rare Serbian spruce (Pančićeva omorika) that grows only here. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Tara offers some of the most dramatic and unspoiled landscapes in the Balkans without the crowds of better-known European national parks.
A Brief History of Tara National Park
Mount Tara has been a protected area since 1981, when it was declared a national park to preserve its extraordinary ecosystems and the endemic Pančić spruce — a living fossil discovered in 1875 by Serbian botanist Josif Pančić. The mountain was named after the prehistoric Illyrian tribe of the Autariatae, who worshipped a “Tara” deity. During the Middle Ages, the area was part of the Serbian Empire, and the nearby Drina River became one of the most fought-over borders in European history. The park is part of the Dinaric Alps ecosystem, creating a crucial wildlife corridor that connects with neighbouring national parks in Bosnia. In 2001, UNESCO designated it part of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, recognising its global ecological importance.
Cost Breakdown: Visiting Tara National Park
Tara is one of Serbia’s best-value nature destinations. Here is a realistic daily budget per person:
Budget per person per day:
- Budget Traveller: €25–40
- Mid-Range: €45–70
- Comfort: €80–120
Sample Costs:
- Meal at a mountain guesthouse: €5–9
- Park entry fee: €3–5
- Guesthouse room per night: €25–50
- Boat rental on Zaovine Lake: €10–15 per hour
- Guided hiking tour: €20–40
- Local rakija and cheese tasting: €3–5
Top Attractions in Tara National Park
1. Banjska Stena Viewpoint
Banjska Stena is the most spectacular viewpoint in Tara National Park and one of the most jaw-dropping panoramas in the Balkans. A vertigo-inducing cliff edge overlooks the dramatic Drina River canyon, where the river snakes through a deep green valley 500 metres below. On clear days you can see across the river into Bosnia, and the dense forest stretches to the horizon in every direction.
Location: A 15-minute walk from the nearest road, about 3 kilometres from the Perućac dam.
History: This viewpoint was used as a strategic lookout during various historical periods, including World War II, and offers a glimpse of the legendary Drina river that has inspired countless Balkan folk songs and poems.
Highlights:
- Breathtaking vertical drop into the Drina Canyon
- Views across the border into Bosnia
- Perfect sunrise and sunset photography spot
- Easy access — suitable for all fitness levels
- The emerald-green river winding through the valley floor
2. Zaovine Lake
Zaovine Lake is a stunning artificial lake set at 920 metres elevation, surrounded by dense spruce forests on the Tara mountain plateau. The lake’s deep blue-green waters reflect the surrounding peaks, creating one of the most serene and beautiful landscapes in Serbia. Kayaking, fishing, and lakeside hiking are the main activities here.
Location: Central Tara National Park, a short drive from the main access roads.
History: The lake was created in the 1960s as a reservoir for the Bajina Bašta hydroelectric plant. Over the decades it has become an integral part of the park ecosystem, attracting birds, wildlife, and nature lovers.
Highlights:
- Crystal-clear water perfect for kayaking and canoeing
- 7-kilometre hiking loop around the lake
- Wild camping permitted at designated spots along the shore
- Excellent brown trout fishing
- Stunning reflections of the forest in the still water
3. The Pančić Spruce Forest
Tara is the only place in the world where the Pančić spruce (Picea omorika) grows naturally. This elegant, slender conifer is a living fossil — a remnant of the Tertiary period that survived the ice ages in the sheltered canyons of the Drina. It is now a protected species, and Tara’s forests contain the largest remaining stands of this unique tree.
Location: Scattered throughout the park, with the best stands around the northern slopes of Mount Crni Vrh.
History: Discovered in 1875 by botanist Josif Pančić, the tree that bears his name was a scientific sensation — a previously unknown species from a geological era thought extinct in Europe.
Highlights:
- See the unique Pančić spruce — found nowhere else on Earth
- Interpretive trail explaining the tree’s discovery and ecology
- Magnificent mixed forests of spruce, fir, and beech
- Excellent birdwatching opportunities
- Peaceful hiking through ancient woodland
4. Hiking the Tara Trails
Tara National Park offers over 300 kilometres of marked hiking trails ranging from easy lakeside strolls to challenging multi-day treks. The park’s dense forests, limestone ridges, and hidden meadows make every route an adventure. Brown bears and wolves inhabit the deeper forests, but sightings are rare — the real treasures are the incredible views, the silence of the ancient woods, and the feeling of being genuinely remote.
Location: Trailheads throughout the park, with the main starting points near Perućac, Zaovine, and Mitrovac.
History: The trail network follows ancient paths used by shepherds, loggers, and resistance fighters during World War II.
Highlights:
- The Drina Canyon Trail — a stunning 12-kilometre ridge walk
- The Crni Vrh summit hike with 360-degree views
- Guided bear-watching hikes at dawn and dusk
- The Tara–Drina loop — a 3-day trek through the park’s best scenery
- Wild camping under the stars at designated sites
5. Perućac Lake & the Drina River
At the foot of Mount Tara, the Drina River has been dammed to create Perućac Lake, a long, narrow emerald-green reservoir that stretches along the border between Serbia and Bosnia. The lake is famous for its vivid colour — a striking turquoise-green that intensifies in summer. Boat trips, swimming, and riverside restaurants make this the most accessible part of the park.
Location: At the base of the park near the town of Bajina Bašta.
History: The Perućac dam was built in 1961 to harness the immense power of the Drina River. The lake flooded the historic Drina valley, including the site of the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, 16 kilometres upstream.
Highlights:
- Electric boat tours across the emerald-green lake
- Swimming in the crystal-clear water at secluded coves
- The “House on the Drina” — a famous rock in the middle of the river
- Grill restaurants serving fresh trout along the shore
- Fishermen’s huts on stilts along the riverbanks
6. Wildlife Watching in Tara
Tara National Park is one of the best places in Serbia for wildlife observation. The park is home to Europe’s largest population of brown bears south of the Danube, alongside wolves, wild boar, chamois, otters, and over 160 species of birds including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and capercaillie. The best time for mammal sightings is at dawn and dusk.
Location: The most reliable sightings are in the remote northern and eastern sections of the park, particularly around the bear-feeding stations (for observation only, not hunting).
History: Tara’s wildlife survived the turbulent 20th century thanks to the park’s inaccessibility. The bears of Tara are part of a stable population that connects with bear populations across Bosnia and Montenegro.
Highlights:
- Guided bear observation from hides at dawn
- Birdwatching towers overlooking the Drina Canyon
- Otters visible at Zaovine Lake in the early morning
- Wild boar and deer tracks on forest trails
- Butterflies and dragonflies in the alpine meadows
Disclaimer: Prices and hours may vary. Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed. Always hire a licensed guide for bear observation. This guide is for general reference only.