Hiking Tour to Valja Prerast and Beli Izvorac – A Journey Through Nature’s Marvels
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking beneath a natural stone arch, exploring forests that lead to caves, waterfalls, and tufa basins straight out of a fairytale—this hiking tour near Majdanpek will surely enchant you.
Valja Prerast – A Stone Portal Hidden in the Forest
Known as the largest natural stone arch in Serbia, Valja Prerast is located about 10 kilometers from Majdanpek, halfway to the village of Rudna Glava. With a height of 44.8 meters and a width of 9.7 meters at riverbed level, this hollow rock—also called “Šuplja stena” (The Hollow Rock)—looks like a gateway to another world. In early spring, when the snow melts, the river that flows beneath the arch gains strength and roars through the gorge. By late autumn, it becomes calm and nearly silent.
A short yet delightful trail leads through a deciduous forest to the arch. The hiking trail is about 1,300 meters long, starting from the main road where the Valja Prerast stream flows into the Šaška River. The terrain is gentle and wooded, occasionally damp, but with no major inclines—perfect for a relaxing walk.
As soon as you step into the forest, the world’s noise fades away. At the end of the trail, you’re greeted with a breathtaking view: sunlight filtering through the arch like a portal to another realm. A sight that’s magical no matter the time of day.
Continuing Toward Beli Izvorac
After a short break to soak in this natural wonder, we continued toward Beli Izvorac. While it’s possible to reach it via a dirt road, we chose the forest trail to stay immersed in nature. The path is not difficult, but since it was already late afternoon and the sun was setting, we quickened our pace to catch the last rays of daylight.
Beli Izvorac – A Natural Water Amphitheater
The Beli Izvorac Tufa Accumulation Natural Monument is also located about 10 kilometers from Majdanpek and is a true gem of Serbia’s karst landscape. In the valley of the Beli Izvorac stream, two tufa accumulations of different geological ages have formed on top of each other, creating a unique and layered natural scenery.
The most impressive feature is a 16-meter-high waterfall, under which the stream disappears into a 13-meter-long, 4-meter-wide cave channel. Inside this channel, stalactites of pure white calcite have formed—a scene straight out of a fantasy. The stream’s entire course is decorated with cascading tufa basins and waterfalls that flow step by step down the slope, forming small pools up to two meters deep. Two smaller waterfalls reach heights of up to five meters.
The trail to the main waterfall follows the stream—partly through the forest, and partly alongside the water itself. Along the way, you’ll also encounter Goat’s Cave (Kozja pećina) and Little Cave (Mala pećina), adding extra charm and intrigue to the hike.
Unfortunately, since we visited in late autumn after a long dry season, the water levels were low, and the full power of the waterfalls could only be imagined. Still, we left with a strong desire to return in spring, when everything comes to life and the roar of water echoes through the valley.
As darkness slowly settled in, we wrapped up our walk. But the impressions remained bright and vivid—once again, nature in eastern Serbia surprised, awed, and calmed us in the best possible way.
Technical Information About the Hiking Tour
- Total Distance: approx. 6–7 km (round trip, depending on the chosen route)
- Hiking Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours, including photo and rest breaks
- Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate (depending on ground moisture)
- Elevation Gain: Mild, suitable for recreational hikers
- Recommended Gear: Hiking shoes, layered clothing, water, and snacks
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early autumn
How to Get There
From Belgrade, the drive to Majdanpek is about 200 km and takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours by car. The most convenient route is via Požarevac, Petrovac na Mlavi, and Donji Milanovac.
From Majdanpek, an asphalt road leads toward Rudna Glava, where you can park along the main road near the start of the Valja Prerast trail.
If you plan to visit Beli Izvorac from Majdanpek, follow signs toward the protected natural monument. However, if you’re continuing on foot from Valja Prerast, take the marked forest trail. While not difficult, it’s recommended to start early in the day to avoid hiking after dark.
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