Tara River Canyon: A Hidden Gem of Southern Europe

Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, the emerald streak that drapes Montenegro called the Tara River is a stunning natural wonder that is often overlooked by travelers and tourists. This magnificent river is a source of life and vitality, carving its way through the rugged landscape of Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Tara River is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and vibrant ecosystem, as is its valley for preserved cultural heritage of the regions native civilizations.

The Tara River is a river of many moods. It can be serene and peaceful, flowing gently through the lush green valleys and rolling hills. Yet at other times, it can be turbulent and wild, crashing through narrow canyons and over towering waterfalls. No matter what mood the Tara River is in, it always leaves a lasting impression on those who have the privilege of experiencing its beauty.

Culture & Geography

As aforementioned, the Tara River is also rich in cultural heritage. The region around the river is home to many ancient settlements, including medieval castles, churches, and monasteries. The area is also known for its traditional architecture, with many homes and buildings built in the old Balkan style, a style influenced by the clashing and assimilation of many foreign and domestic forces. Exploring the cultural heritage of the Tara River is a truly enriching experience that provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the region’s history, an essential piece of the complex puzzle that is the history of Europe as a whole. The scenery of manmade structures morphs as you move downstream. It sprouts from the slopes of the Prokletije (Accursed Mountains) mountain range, near the northern tip of Albania, collecting tributaries along the way towards the north. It weaves through gorges atop which quaint villages sit, rich with homemade goods made by local cheese makers, meats from the cattlemen and spirits from small breweries. The thin, sliced cows cheese from the Kolashin area is well renowned in the whole broader Balkans. Where the river flows, the hilly, rocky terrain follows. It passes ancient monasteries and sacred grounds on its way towards the Durmitor mountain range. It reaches its peak diversity within the Durmitor nature park as well. The Djurdjevica Tara village and bridge are a staple location where manmade structure fuses with the unwelcoming terrain in a stunning way; it is a view that can be fully experienced only in person.

Djurdjevica Tara Bridge

Flora

The Tara River is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem. An abundance of plant and animal life, including rare and endangered species, call the riverbed and these serpentine-defined valleys and canyons its home. Situated in the southeastern part of the Dinaric Alps, the Tara River Basin comprises carbonate plateaus, gorges and the deepest canyon in Europe (second in the World). The Tara canyon is 80 km long and reaches 1,300 meters at its deepest point. In the biosphere reserve, the altitude ranges from 433 to 2,522 meters above sea level, thus it harbors a rich habitat and species diversity. Habitats include alpine forests, alpine rivers and lakes, alpine and subalpine heath, transition mires, bogs and screes. The biosphere reserve includes Durmitor National Park, which was designated as World Heritage site in 1980. It is classified as an alpine heath land and harbours endemic species of flora such as:

• The sub-Arctic willow scrub (Salicetum appendiculatae montenegr.)
• Oxytropis dinarica, the alpine calcareous grassland brush
• Pinus heldreichii and Pinetea of the alpine forests
• residual alluvial forests (Alnion glutinoso-incanae)
• Mediterranean pine forests with the endemic black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. illyrica) (essential part of the primeval forests.)

Tara river

Fauna

This biosystem bears a diverse scope of living creatures (pun intended). The most well known being is the endemic Huchen salmonid (Hucho hucho), otherwise globally endangered. Together with the river Drina and most of its tributaries, such as the Piva river before damming, the Bistrica, Ćehotina, Lim, Prača, Drinjača, Sutjeska, it’s still Europe's primer habitats and spawning grounds.

The massives of the canyon system are excellent habitats for the chamois. This very nearness of canyons and mountains gives the chamois the possibility to seasonally migrate, in the winter from the cold peaks to the canyon & in the summer from the warm and humid narrows to the lofty peaks. Along with the otters, beavers and roe deer, they complete the majority of the large mammalian herbivores.

But keep in mind, these mountains and gorges are not tamed, this is wilderness and while it is full of calm fauna, it is also home to many omnivores and carnivores. The most notable being the wild boar, along with predators such as the Balkan lynx (the largest cat in Europe), the brown bear and wolves, various species of birds of prey as well, including herons, Balkan eagles, and ospreys. Within the reptile family there are also ever-present populations of fire salamanders, the very rare Triturus, the Aesculapian snake and, most notably, the horned viper, locally known as the "poskok", the most venomous snake in Europe. Of course, this is why we advise exploring the beautiful wilderness with our trusted & trained tour guides by booking a tour with us!

Durmitor mountains

Final word

In conclusion, the Tara River is a natural wonder that should be on everyone's travel list. With its breathtaking beauty, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant ecosystem, the Tara River is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. So why wait? Pack your bags, grab your camera, and head to the Balkans to experience this magnificent, pristine river, fascinating natural surroundings as well as mysterious cultural environment for yourself!

Our guided tours provide an experience of total immersion into local cultures of places like these in the Balkan region. Check out the tours that cover this region:

Contents of the blog post are not tied to any tour itinerary. For tour itineraries check out the tour webpages.