NOT ZLATIBOR OR KOPAONIK, BUT TRUE WILD NATURE Serbian mountain beauty is much cheaper

After big cities, mountain centers are the second category of places according to the number of tourist overnight stays, and in 2023 they achieved 2.8 million overnight stays. Zlatibor, of course, dominates in terms of the number of tourists in the previous year, followed by Kopaonik, and then – Rudnik.

In fact, the biggest increase in tourist visits to the mountains in Serbia last year was recorded in Rudnik. This mountain dominates Šumadija, and is located only 100 km from Belgrade, i.e. 15 km from Gornji Milanovac.

It abounds in dense forests and numerous paths where tourists can enjoy a walk and the fresh air that Rudnik is famous for. Many visit this mountain precisely because they can find “that something”, wild and mysterious, which is lost on Kopa and Zlatibor, but also because of the favorable prices.

Accommodation, for example, can be found in a house with a swimming pool for less than 10 euros per person.

The largest settlement on the mountain is the town of Rudnik, located between 500 and 700 m above sea level. There are eight peaks above 1000 m above sea level in Rudnik (interestingly, there are two called “Javor”), and the highest is Cvijićev peak (1132 m), formerly known as Veliki Šturac.

Thanks to the exceptional forest cover, natural health trails and proximity to large cities, Rudnik is suitable for the development of summer and winter health, school, sports and hunting tourism.

Due to its extraordinary climatic conditions (a lot of sunshine throughout the year, air currents, high air ionization, unpolluted natural environment) as early as 1922, Rudnik was declared an air spa.

Varošica and the mountain are connected by an asphalt road and a large number of health trails, and there are also fields for small sports. Guests can hike to Cvijić’s peak and the steep volcanic hill of Ostrvice, where the remains of Jerina’s city are located.

Along the way, tourists can visit the nearby historical places of Oplenac and Takovo, the Vraćevšnica, Voljevča, Blagoveštenje and Nikolje monasteries, and between Javor Peak and Cvijićevo Peak there is a nature reserve, a natural asset “Veliki Šturac”, first placed under protection in 1956 as strict nature reserve, area of ​​8 hectares. It belongs to category I natural assets – a natural asset of exceptional importance.

The mine is the source of the largest rivers in Šumadija, and a good part of the mountain is under forest. It is known as the “roof of Šumadija” and as the place where history was made, and Serbian Hollywood and the Land of the Wizard of Oz are mentioned as newer attractions.

(Espresso / New / Transferred: A.P)