Lazar's Canyon

Lazarev Kanjon is cut some five hundred metres deep into the limestone of the Kučaj massif, and in places the walls close to a few metres apart, which makes it the narrowest as well as the deepest canyon in Serbia. The rock is riddled with caves, over a hundred recorded in the immediate area, of which Lazar's Cave at the canyon mouth is developed with lighting and a guided route through decorated halls. Walking into the canyon itself is a serious undertaking: the route follows the streambed, involves scrambling and wading, and is impassable in high water. Griffon vultures were reintroduced in the wider region and are seen overhead. The surrounding plateau is empty forest with almost no settlement.

What you actually see

• The narrow gorge - walls five hundred metres high closing to a few metres.
• Lazar's Cave - the lit show cave at the canyon mouth.
• Karst plateau - forested limestone country above the gorge.
• Griffon vultures - reintroduced birds soaring over the walls.

When to go

May to October; the canyon walk needs low water, so late summer and autumn are best and spring melt makes it impassable. The show cave is open year round with reduced winter hours.

Honest expectations

The canyon route is not a marked trail: it involves wading, scrambling and route-finding, and people get into difficulty here. Water levels change fast after rain. The show cave is the accessible option and takes an hour. Facilities are minimal and the roads in are rough.

Nearby

Bor lies northeast; Rtanj is southwest.