The very beginning of our tour is reserved for the mysterious depths of the Petnicka cave, which we will explore thoroughly. Armed with lamps, we will investigate corridors of the Petnicka cave, its large hall, as well its hidden chambers. Our tour through the cave lasts around 1h. There’s a stream passing through the cave, which once propelled a water mill built at the cave entrance. Unfortunately, that mill is no longer operational.
For this adventure we don’t need any special equipment, because all the paths inside are built for hiking.
After our cave walk, we’ll take a short drive (20 minutes) to the start line of our trek through the Gradac River.
The river Gradac, located in the vicinity of Valjevo, is considered to be one of the cleanest of its kind in the Balkans, its waters being completely drinkable. The canyon surrounding it is tucked between myriad of hills and cliffs, accessible only by foot. Our walk is about 4-5 km long, but it leads us through areas that are only available to true nature lovers. We will venture into the canyon through a paved road leaning against the river itself, crossing it from time to time and even bathing in it during our breaks. Our journey through the canyon will last about 3 hours. In case the water is too cold, all participants will receive neoprene socks, which will keep them warm.
The end point of our adventure is the Ćelije Monastery. The tour is about 6 km long in total.
If it’s to believe the folk tradition, old Serbian King Dragutin Nemanjić (1282-1316) ordered that the Ćelije monastery near Valjevo be built in a hidden place, far from the thieves and robbers, common in the Gradac canyon.
And this place, like many other Serbian monasteries at the time, was the hidden center of Christianity for the Serbian people during the long and difficult Turkish oppression. Because of that, Ćelije monastery was often demolished and burned, but soon afterwards resurrected in the same place even more beautiful and brighter.
After a short break in the church, our vehicle will take us to the place where beauty of taste and nature meets, on the bank of the river Jablanica, for lunch. Then, we pack our stuff and head straight to Belgrade.
Itinerary
Saturday
- Departure from Belgrade at 08.00 h
- Tour of Petnica cave: 10.00 – 11.30 h
- Canyoning activity and tour of Ćelije monastery: 12.00 – 16.00 h
- Lunch and rest: 16.30 – 18.00 h
- Departure for Belgrade: 18.00 h
- Arriving in Belgrade at around 20.00 h
- Total length of tour: 9 km
