The area of Tara was declared the National Park in 1981 on an area of 19,175 ha. From 2015, the territory of the park was expanded and now it occupies 24,991.82 ha. The reasons for the designation of the National Park are preserved forest areas, the presence of Serbian spruce, and great variability of plant and animal life. Tara is a pilot area for NATURA 2000, and it is in the framework of the EMERALD Network. Along with the Nature Park Šargan – Mokra Gora it was nominated by UNESCO MAV Committee as a potential biosphere reserve, which will have a cross-border character, because it will include the area of the future national park Drina (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Mountain Tara is part of the Dinarides and belongs to the part of the Vlach mountains. Tara massif consists of: Kaluđerske bare, Tara, Aluške Mountains, Crni vrh and Zvezda. The surface is 183 km2, and the length 50 km and width 22 km. It belongs to the medium-high mountains. The average altitude is 1,200 meters, and the highest peak Kozji rid reaches 1,591 m. A diverse plant life represents a rare natural resource, in which relict and rare species survived, including the most famous Serbian spruce. At Tara grows over 1100 plant species, representing almost a third of the total flora of Serbia. The wealth of this area is not only reflected in the flora, but in fauna as well.
The Park is the most important habitat of the brown bear in Serbia, the largest mammal in the Balkans. Besides it in the Park are: wolf, wild cats, mink and marten, deer, wild boar, chamois, which represents one of the symbols of the National Park. Birds are the most numerous group of vertebrates in this area. With 135 registered species, the Park is on the list of internationally important areas for bird conservation. The values of the Park are rare and endangered species of prey such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, short-toed eagle and hawk. With 138 different species, Tara is among the richest mountain areas in terms of fauna of ancient butterflies.

Endless forest expanses classify Tara as one of the most densely wooded mountains in Europe. They belong to the order of the most preserved and most valuable forests of Europe, making 75% of the Park area. Among 40 forest communities, pine, spruce and beech dominate. Exactly the temperate and coniferous forests, where one of the main builders is spruce, make a special resource, by which Tara is distinguishable. Attractions of Tara are: Drina River canyon, the second deepest canyon in Europe, Vrelo (spring), the shortest river in Serbia, length of 365 meters, then the largest population of brown bears in Serbia.

The most attractive locations for exploring the Tara are lookouts. There are five arranged lookouts: Crnjeskovo, Banjska stena, Bilješka stena, Osluša and Sjenič on Vitmirovac. Along with the lookouts visitors have access to pedestrian educational trails: “Owl Forest classroom”, the only track adapted for persons with disabilities in Serbia, Bilješka stena”, “Tepih livada”, “Banjka stena”, “Jarevac” and “Račva”, which in addition to natural beauty presents the most valuable cultural and historical monument of the Park, the monastery “Rača,” along with archeological sites, which are located nearby. With 290 km of marked trails, Tara provides good conditions for recreational fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. There are 24 bicycle routes in the Park.

Tara can be approached from three directions: by road Bajina Bašta – Kaluđerske bare 16 km, Kremna – Kaluđerske bare 9 km, Bajina Bašta – Mitrovac 27 km. From the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, Tara is 205 km away.

National park Tara
Milenka Topalovića 3
Bajina Bašta 31,25 000 Serbia
Tel: 031/863-644

Email:
office@nptara.rs
Web:
www.nptara.rs