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Description
Resava Gorge Reserve is an area of limestone cliffs, deep forests, pastures and numerous streams. Forest covers 70% of the area: mixed hornbeam and oak forests in the lower and warmer zones, and well-preserved pure beech forests – the largest in Serbia – in the higher zones. Vinatovača primeval beech reserve lies east of the Resava Gorge, in the valley of the Vinatovac stream. Individual trees are up to 46 m high, with trunk diameter of more than 1 m and approximately 200 years of age. Meadows and pastures on the Vrtačeje plateau, and scree and cliffs in the gorges of Resava and Suvaja are especially important habitats. Since January 2022, the entire area become the 1st degree reserve within the newly formed Kučaj-Beljanica National Park.
Some 124 species of birds have been recorded in this area so far, around 100 species breeding in the reserve. Birds to look for are Kongeørn and Slangeørn, Hvepsevåge, Vandrefalk, Engsnarre, Skovsneppe, Stor hornugle (rare), Dværghornugle, Slagugle (rare), Natugle, Huldue (uncommon), Alpesejler, Isfugl, Mellemflagspætte, Gråspætte, Grønspætte, Sortspætte, Hvidrygget Flagspætte (rare), Rødrygget Tornskade, Klippesvale, Bjergvipstjert, Sumpmejse, Sortmejse, Sørgemejse, Gulbug, Hvidhalset Fluesnapper, Lille Fluesnapper (rare), Rødstjert, Vandstær, Sydlig Nattergal, Klippeværling and Gærdeværling.
Some of the mammalian highlights of the national park are Eurasian Otter, Lynx, Brown Bear, and Grey Wolf. Represented by 26 species, bats are particularly numerous - the gorges are dotted with a few dozen caves, including 3 km long Resavska cave, open for visitors (check the working hours in advance: resavskapecina@gmail.com).
Photo by the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia.
Details
Access
Take the Belgrade-Nis motorway exit for Svilajnac (100 km / 1 hr from Belgrade), from there by the town of Despotovac and through Dvoriste and Strmosten villages to Lisine valley (marked by asterisk; there will be some road signs for restaurants and accommodation in this popular area), 150 km / 2 hrs in total. Asphalt ends at the entrance to the Resava Gorge (by the red dot). For driving directions, zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign.
Both canyons have gravel tracks passable by ordinary cars, but the middle, interconnecting section going over the hill (on the map, not connected to gravel tracks) is more suitable for hiking.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Mountain , Canyon/cliff , RiverConditions
Mountainous , Hilly , RockyCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , SummerBest time to visit
Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
To be properly explored, gorges of the Resava require at least two days or, better, three to four.