5 Reasons to Visit Tara Canyon This Summer

The real adventure begins where the familiar ends. Once you cross the line that separates you from the unknown, the trip becomes a thrill ride like no other. If you want to discover wild new territories, hidden from trend-seeking tourist agencies, then Tara Canyon is the location for you.

This wild river winds between the awe-inspiring mountain ranges of Montenegro, a true hidden gem of the Adriatic. If these facts aren’t enough of a tease to compel you to go, here are five solid reasons to visit Tara Canyon this summer.

1. The surroundings are unbelievable

Just like neighboring Croatia, Montenegro is well-known for its beautiful coastline, however, this doesn’t mean that the northern part of this country should be ignored. The steep mountain ranges that resemble gigantic white boulders cover 90% of the small state. They serve as a backdrop for an untamed land that, due to its unbelievable vertically-inclined topography, couldn’t even be conquered by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years.

Among these twirling cliffs and mist-covered highlands (visit Žabljak if you get a chance) lies a turquoise-colored river that is as old and tenacious as the rocks that surround it. Once you know a few solid facts about the Tara, you’ll scratch your head in bewilderment trying to figure out how this river is not more widely known.

Over the (generally short) total length of 144 km (89 miles), the Tara river runs through two countries, for 104 km (64 miles) through Montenegro and for the last 40 km (25 miles) through Bosnia and Herzegovina, before it clashes with the Piva River to form the legendary Drina river.

Along most of its run, the Tara is surrounded by untamed flora and fauna and wild animals are a common sight. If you have a desire to leave civilization behind, this river would be a perfect choice.

2. The canyon is unique

One of the main reason why the Tara is so unique is mostly related to Tara River Canyon. For starters, it is the longest canyon in Montenegro and Europe. Also, at the length of 78 km (48 miles) and depth of 1.3 km (0.8 miles or 4265 feet), it is the second deepest canyon in the world, right after the Grand Canyon. The location is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is considered a part of Durmitor National Park.

3. Abundant range of activities

Given the numerous fun-filled activities this natural gem offers, it’s not a surprise that Canyoning is one of the most popular experiences on the Tara river. On the one hand, it’s not the most extreme canyoning experience you can have in Europe (for that, you can go for the Italian canyons which are not too far across the Adriatic).

However, this particular river offers not only one of the most picturesque sceneries but also exhilarating experiences you will never forget. The canyons of Skurda and Nevidio are perfect settings for some adrenaline-infused adventuring, and Rikavac is ideal for all those canyoning beginners that are just learning the ropes (pun intended).

On the other hand, rafting experience on the Tara river is always a good option. It’s definitely the less demanding and more sightseeing-oriented experience. One of the most popular rafting routes actually begins in Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the confluence of the Tara and the Piva rivers, which is a good intro to the next activity.

There’s an impressive medieval location near the aforementioned confluence, the ruin of the fortress Soko, which is an unmissable location for history buffs. In fact, lands of Montenegro are brimming with rich historical details that harken back to distant past.

Don’t forget to visit Đurđevića Tara Bridge, an impressive landmark located at the crossroads between Mojkovac, Žabljak, and Pljevlja. At 564 feet above the Tara river, it is one of the most iconic bungee jumping locations in this part of Europe.

4. Reconnect with your friends in new surroundings

Plowing through wilderness along the river Tara with a group of friends is guaranteed to help you bond and reconnect with them. The canyoning and rafting experiences on this river are, as we’ve mentioned before, not all that daunting, and it can serve as a perfect balance between casual adventuring and spending time in the wilderness. Therefore, it is a great option for team building, as well.

5. Adventure like no other

Now, Montenegro is a very small country, but don’t let that fool you. Its topography is incredibly rich and brimming with unbelievable geographical variations, it’s basically jaw-dropping with a variety of breath-taking landscapes.

Combine that with incredible historical locations and you’ve got yourself a sandbox for adventuring as if it has been ripped out of a modern open-world RPG. With all of this in mind, you are bound to have an adventure like no other in Montenegro, so what are you waiting for?

The Tara River lies among the Durmitor mountain ranges for thousands of years and it will stand there for a thousand more. Many of the areas you can come across as you follow the river flow are untouched by civilization and those that have been touched are filled with historical significance. Montenegro is on its way of becoming a trendy tourist location, so “claim” the country interior before others do. After all, it’s what adventuring is all about.

Roxana is a Sydney based travel enthusiast with a passion for writing. She loves fashion and has an eye for anything visually appealing and aesthetical. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. You can find her articles on HighStyleLife.

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