Velika Stena Viewpoint (Lazareva Stena) – Overlooking Lake Rovni

On our way back from Divčibare, we decided to stop at another location near Valjevo – a viewpoint above the artificial lake Rovni. Among locals, it’s known as Lazareva Stena, but the residents simply call it “Velika Stena.” If you ask them, that’s the name that truly matters.

The viewpoint is located above a lake formed by damming the Jablanica River, and from this spot, you get a full view of the artificial reservoir that stretches between the villages of Rovni and Stubo.

Velika Stena Viewpoint is a simple and accessible location, suitable for family outings and short hikes. It offers an interesting blend of natural landscape and a man-made lake that fits quite well into its surroundings. If you find yourself near Valjevo, it’s definitely worth a visit.

How to get to the viewpoint

The viewpoint is located in the village of Stubo, about 15 km from Valjevo. There are two roads leading to the village – one goes over the Rovni dam, and the other passes by the Lelić Monastery. We came from the opposite direction, from Divčibare, but the simplest route from Belgrade involves driving towards Valjevo, then following the road to Vidrak Park and turning toward the Lelić Monastery. Shortly after the monastery, there’s a turnoff toward the village of Stubo.

At one point, the road forks – take the left turn, and then another left that leads to the village and the dam. Part of the road is unpaved but still passable.

In the village, it’s best to ask for directions to the village cemetery – there you can easily park by the side of the road. The hiking trail begins from that point. A few dozen meters before the cemetery, there’s a gravel road leading to the rock. At the beginning, you’ll see a few signs confirming you’re on the right path.

The incline is gentle and takes about twenty minutes at a leisurely pace. At one point the trail splits – take the left path that leads slightly downhill. The final section goes through the woods, and the trail ends with a sudden opening onto the rock itself.

How Lake Rovni was created

Lake Rovni is an artificial lake, created by the construction of the Stubo-Rovni dam, whose construction began back in 1988 and was completed in 2015. The dam is 75 meters high and 450 meters long, and the lake’s maximum depth reaches 67 meters. The water from the lake is used for the water supply of Valjevo and the surrounding towns – Lazarevac, Lajkovac, Ub, and Mionica.

The construction of the lake also submerged the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael, also known as Valjevska Gračanica.

How to get there from Belgrade

The distance between Belgrade and Valjevo is about 100 km. From Valjevo, there are several options:

The road through the Lelić Monastery, leading to the village of Stubo (about 8 km, part of it unpaved).
The road across the Rovni dam, with an option to visit the Jovanja Monastery.

We reached the village from the direction of Divčibare, combining several local roads. In any case, navigation can be useful, although the maps don’t yet show all the newest roads around the lake. If in doubt – ask the locals, they’ll be happy to help.

Hiking