Tara River – Tara River Canyon
Tara River is the longest river of Montenegro (144 km). Tara River is derived of rivers of Opasnica and Veruša and of abundant melting winter snow and seasonal rains. Source of the Tara River is in the foot of Komovi Mountains, at the altitude of 1089 meters by Han Grancica point, where together with the Piva River close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Šćepan polje they form the Drina River.
Tara River carved one of the deepest canyon gorges in the world which is 78 km long and more than 1300 meters high, what make Tara River Canyon the deepest river canyon in Europe, and the second deepest in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the USA ! Protected by UNESCO since 1977, Tara River Canyon is one of the top 25 recognized world nature heritage sites, frequented by NUMEROUS adventurers, rafters, hikers and bikers providing true excitement and enjoyment in this impressive green canyon with untouched wild nature surroundings. Tara River water quality and purity is so clean that you can drink water from it. All along its course, the Tara River gets large quantities of water from numerous springs and forms numerous breathtaking waterfalls and scenic cascades, whose roar is heard on the very peaks of the canyon. There are rocky and pebbly terraces surrounded with thick pine forests, sandy beaches, high cliffs, steep sides and more than 80 large caves along the Tara River Canyon. With the maximum depth of 1300 meters, the Tara River Canyon is the second deepest in the world, only to the Grand Canyon and offers exciting rafting adventures from mild to wild. From favored viewing places of the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge or the one at Curevac peak (1625 m) a magnificent panorama of Durmitor Mountain might be seen in one direction, while in the other, there is the meandering azure crystal-clear turquoise water course of the Tara River, gliding through the stony peaks and graphite grey cliffs.
The Đurđevića Tara Bridge in Montenegro is the highest bridge of Europe. The extraordinary architecture of the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge makes it the elegant and recognizable symbol and the must-see of the Tara River Canyon, nestled between the villages of Budečevica and Trešnjica on the main road between Pljevlja and Zabljak. The huge and concrete bridge with impressive arches was designed by one of the most distinguished constructors of Kingdom of Yugoslavia, engineer Mijat S. Trojanović. The Djurdjevica Tara Bridge was build in 1938/40. and when completed it represented the largest road bridge of reinforced concrete in Europe, and one of the few largest and the most beautiful traffic achievements of their kind in the world. By its strong five-arches construction of which the main arch features the span of 116 meters, the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge rises above the Tara River Canyon for more than 150 meters. During the Second WW, in 1942 partisans demolished one arch of the Djurdjevica Tara bridge in order to prevent crossing of enemies into Montenegro. This task was performed by the civil engineer Lazar Jauković, who took part in construction of the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge. Then the last small arched construction was destroyed, in the length of 44 meters, while the other parts of the bridge remained intact. Italians captured engineer Jauković and executed there at the bridge. Locals of Durmitor area built a monument right next to the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, close to the place where the brave engineer was buried. After liberation, the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge was open for traffic in 1946, after the festive ceremony and commemoration.
In the Djurdjevia Tara small hamlet of Luke, one km downstream of the huge bridge, there is the Saint Archangel Michael Monastery from the 14th century. Once there was the hand-copying workshop there in the monastery, from where the other Orthodox shrines were supplied by the liturgical books. Nearby is the Dovolja Monastery from the 15th century, with the church dedicated to the Ascension of the Holy Virgin. Both monasteries have been well rebuilt and restored and provide visitors of the Durmitor area and the Tara River Canyon wonderful spiritual experiences.
White water rafting from May until October on the Tara River is premium and exciting attraction for extreme sports fans and the more adventurous who enjoy exciting rafting trips. The Tara River Canyon is part of the Tara River rafting route. The one day rafting route, from Brstanovici to Sćepan Polje is 18 km long and it lasts 2 to 3 hours. This part of the Tara River Canyon is the most exciting because the river here has the biggest drop in elevation in the shortest length. There are 21 out of 50 rapids in this part of the Tara River. The rapids are Brstanovići, Pećine, the very dangerous Celije rapids and Vjernovički rapids. Rafting and kayaking can be experienced on Tara River /tourist route is about 60 km long/, with a range of rafts, kayaks or inflatable boats. Sport fishing is permitted in some parts of the Tara River.
Mountaineering in Montenegro – easy tour
Rafting on Tara River – 2 days tour
Rafting on Tara River – 4 days tour
