7 things you didn't know about the Tara River

You must have already heard about the beauty of the Tara River and the unforgettable adventures experienced by everyone who visits its canyon and tries rafting on it. You may also be familiar with the information that Tara springs from under Mount Komovi and is formed by the Opasanica and Verusa rivers, as well as that, with the Piva, it forms the Drina river.

The total length of the Tara River is 146.4 km, and the last 25 km is the most attractive for rafting. In that part, there are rafting camps, including ours - Rafting Center Drina Tara. The average temperature of the river is from 7 to 10℃, even in the summer months when the air temperature is 30 °C, so the Tara is considered an extremely cold river. However, here we will not deal with commonly known facts, but with some that you might not have known. So let's start!

1. Tara Canyon is the deepest in Europe

Yes, you read that correctly. With its 1333m, the Tara Canyon is the deepest in Europe, and the second largest canyon in the world, right after the Colorado Canyon in the USA.

Tara has carved out her path flowing through rocks and mountains. Not only are the sides of the canyon overgrown with various vegetation, mostly conifers, but you can also find pine trees up to 400 years old. It is also interesting to note that there are numerous caves in the canyon where traces of prehistoric people have been found, and research has established that the canyon hides around 80 caves.

2. The bridge on Djurdjevica Tara was a part of a movie

A magnificent human creation rises in the wilderness - a concrete arch bridge that represents a real architectural and tourist attraction. The bridge on Đuđevića Tara was built in 1940 and today is an extremely visited landmark of this region.

What was its fate throughout history? At the time it was built, it was the largest concrete arch bridge in Europe intended for car traffic. However, shortly after its opening, the Đuđevića Tara Bridge fell into the hands of the occupiers during the Second World War in Yugoslavia. The events from wartime were found in the film Bridge (1969). Immediately after the end of the war, in 1946, the Bridge on Đuđevića Tara was restored, and in 1978 it was used for the film set of the war film Force 10 from Navarone. directed by Guy Hamilton, with Harrison Ford as one of the protagonists.

Another interesting fact - the bridge is only wide enough for one car and one truck to pass on it.

3. The World Rafting Championship (twice) and the Rafting World Cup (once) were held on the Tara

For the first time, we organized the World Rafting Cup in 2008 and the World Rafting Championship on the Tara River in 2009. At that time, we were pioneers in the organization of the World Championship and Cup, and we hosted more than 20 national teams from various parts of the world. This year, in June, we hosted the World Rafting Championship, the competitive part of which was held in Banja Luka and Foča, on the Vrbas and Tara. 61 teams participated, more precisely 250 competitors from a total of 22 countries.

We are proud that the Tara is a truly unique river known for its frequent and numerous rapids connected in continuity and therefore represent a real challenge for all rafters. This is precisely why the Tara River was chosen for the most demanding discipline of the World Championship - downriver.

By the International Rafting Federation (IRF) rules, rafting competitions are organized in two categories: R4 and R6 (with 4 and 6 rowers in a boat), divided into men's and women's, and local teams. It takes place in four disciplines: sprint, head-to-head (parallel sprint, H2H), slalom, and downhill (downriver).

4. The water from the Tara River is so clean that it is drinkable

The clear and emerald water of the Tara River belongs to the A category, so it's no wonder that the Tara River is also called the "tear of Europe". The water that fills the bed of the Tara River is crystal clear and drinkable throughout its course!

It does not give it justice to write a thousand words about its natural phenomena such as waterfalls, cascades, and rapids - you need to visit our region and see for yourself these breathtaking natural beauties. And while the upper part of the stream is characterized by incredibly beautiful landscapes and a deep canyon, the last 20 kilometers of its stream has as many as 22 rapids that will give you a dose of adrenaline that you will remember for a long time and want to come back for more.

5. The Tara River is a natural border

Many people are confused about where the Tara River is located and where the rafting activities take place. Namely, the Tara River flows through two countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. It is formed naturally in Montenegro, where it flows along most of its river course. The last part of the course of the Tara River represents the border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which makes it an international river.

It should be said that rafting takes place undisturbed throughout the entire course, regardless of state borders, because they are a pure formality here. Rafting is available to you from both countries on both sides.

6. It is under the protection of UNESCO

Given that it meets three conditions: geological, hydrological, and biological, the Tara River has been on the list of UNESCO-protected areas since 1980 ("UNESCO World Heritage of Natural Resources"). Most of the river, including its canyon, is protected as part of the Durmitor National Park.

Research has shown that this area is rich in precious flora and fauna, more precisely endemic species of plants and insects.

7. It is a habitat for various types of fish

In addition to rafting, Tara is also suitable for fishing, and the area around Kolasin is particularly well-known as a fly-fishing area. Fly fishing is a method of fishing that uses a light lure that imitates a fly that has landed on the surface of the water. This is done with a decoy in the form of an artificial fly and special nylon casting movements.

The fish that can be found in the Tara River is:

It should be emphasized that fishing on Tara is only allowed with artificial bait.

And not only that, there is a lot at your disposal here - a tour of the natural beauties of the area around the Drina and Tara, which will take your breath away. We also offer you rafting on the Tara with the guidance of licensed skippers, a tour of the real primeval forest, hiking, quad biking, eco-tours by electric bike, canyoning, horseback riding, jeep safari, and airsoft... we will welcome you with fresh and healthy local food and top specialties from this region prepared with great care according to traditional and well-tested recipes, and there is also the inevitable socializing and spending time in the largest rafting camp in the region.