A Concise Guide to the Tara River Canyon: Europe’s Deepest Gorge
Everything you need to know about visiting the Tara River Canyon in Montenegro, from hiking trails and viewpoints to top river rafting tours and activities.
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The Tara River Canyon is one of Montenegro’s most impressive natural wonders. Carved by the emerald-green Tara River over millions of years, it’s one of the best attractions on the Durmitor Ring Road.
We’d seen plenty of photos of the Tara Canyon before visiting, but nothing really prepares you for the scale of the canyon in person. Whether you’re looking down at it from viewpoints, hiking up panoramic peaks, or rafting on the Tara River.
As part of the UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park, the canyon is much more than a singular scenic viewpoint. It’s a vast expanse, home to pristine forests, dramatic limestone cliffs, and one of Europe’s last wild rivers. Discover everything you need to know about visiting the Tara River Canyon, including the best viewpoints, rafting trips, hiking opportunities, how to get there, top tours, and practical tips for planning your visit, in this guide.
The Tara River Canyon at a glance
More from Durmitor National Park
What is the Tara River Canyon?
The Tara River Canyon (Kanjon Tare) is Europe’s deepest river canyon, carved over millions of years by the turquoise waters of the Tara River through the limestone mountains of northern Montenegro.
Protected as part of Durmitor National Park and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the canyon is famous for its dramatic cliffs, dense forests, waterfalls, caves, and crystal-clear river.
It reaches depths of around 1,300 metres (4,265 ft) at its deepest, and is considered the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon.
The Tara River itself is often called the ‘Tear of Europe’ because of its exceptionally clear water, which remains some of the cleanest in Europe. It’s also a popular spot for river rafting tours, one of the best things to do in Durmitor National Park.
Where is the Tara River Canyon?
The Tara River Canyon sits in northern Montenegro, flowing through the mountainous region between Durmitor National Park, Bjelasica, and the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Stretching for around 51 miles (82 km), the most accessible sections of the canyon are around Žabljak, Plužine, and Mojkovac, making it easy to combine with other mountain destinations in Montenegro.
Top things to do in the Tara River Canyon
The Tara River Canyon sits within a landscape shaped by glacial activity, river erosion, and karst geology, with towering limestone cliffs rising above thick forests and fast-flowing rapids. So the Tara River Canyon is best experienced outdoors.
1. Hiking
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Tara River Canyon, as several trails lead through pine forests and mountain meadows to viewpoints of dramatic canyon scenery.
Popular routes include sections around Ćurevac Peak, one of the best viewpoints over the canyon, as well as trails connecting the wider Durmitor mountain area. Ćurevac Peak itself reaches 1,625 metres (5,331 ft) and is a pretty easy ~1-hour return hike.
The canyon is also home to diverse wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, chamois, golden eagles, and more than 80 species of birds, so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled.
2. White Water Rafting
White water rafting is the most popular adventure activity in the Tara River Canyon and one of the best things to do in Montenegro.
The rafting season usually runs from April to October, with spring offering the highest water levels and the most exciting rapids, while summer provides calmer conditions suitable for beginners. April to June is the best time to go, when the spring snowmelt swells the river, creating faster rapids and more exciting rafting conditions.
Most rafting trips cover sections of the river between Brštanovica and Šćepan Polje, passing through narrow canyon sections surrounded by forest-covered cliffs.
The rapids vary from Class II-IV depending on water levels and time of year. There are also plenty of calm sections where the river slows enough to appreciate the towering canyon walls and forest that surrounds you.
The classic rafting route covers around 15 miles (25 km) and combines fast-flowing rapids with calmer sections where you can swim in the crystal-clear water. Some operators offer shorter routes.
3. Đurđevića Tara Bridge
The Đurđevića Tara Bridge is one of Montenegro’s most recognisable landmarks, spanning the Tara River Canyon at a height of around 172 metres (564 ft) above the river. It stretches for around 365 metres (1,066 ft ) across the canyon and was considered a remarkable engineering achievement when it opened.
It was built between 1937 and 1940 and was once the largest road concrete arch bridge in Europe. During World War II, one of the bridge’s arches was deliberately destroyed to slow the advance of Italian forces, before being rebuilt after the war.
Today, the reinforced concrete arch bridge is a popular stop for photographs, ziplining, and views into the canyon below. We found it a natural stop on our Montenegro road trip as we headed for Durmitor National Park.
4. Viewpoints
The Tara River Canyon has countless viewpoints where you can appreciate the sheer scale of the landscape without needing to hike for hours.
We’ve already mentioned Ćurevac Viewpoint, one of the best hikes in Durmitor National Park, but it is really spectacular. We also managed to time our stop at the top with a group of river rafters sailing through the canyon, which was pretty cool to watch.
There are several viewpoints of the canyon from the northern portion of the Durmitor Ring Road, a scenic drive from Žabljak along the P14 Panoramic Route.
We also stopped off at a great viewpoint on the P4 as we entered the east side of the park from Mojkovac, the gateway to Biogradska Gora National Park. You can find it here: Spomenik Dušan Bulatović Džambas.
5. Ziplining
Ziplining across the Tara River Canyon is a popular activity, offering a completely different perspective of the scenery below. Several zipline operators operate near the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, with routes crossing above the canyon and reaching speeds of up to around 37 mph (60 km/h).
The longest zipline routes stretch for more than 900 metres (3,000 ft), giving you several minutes of views over the Tara River and surrounding mountains.
Where to stay near the Tara River Canyon
The best place to stay near the Tara River Canyon depends on what else you want to explore. Žabljak is the most convenient base if you are combining the canyon with Durmitor National Park, hiking, and the Durmitor Ring Road.
There’s loads of accommodation in Žabljak, but choosing where to stay near Durmitor National Park will shape your trip – whether you opt for a central hotel or hostel or go for a cabin or local guesthouse in the countryside.
Plužine, the town near Piva Lake, is a better option if you want to explore the western side of the canyon, but is further away than Žabljak with fewer tour options.
Top Durmitor National Park Hotels
How to get to the Tara River Canyon
Driving is the easiest way to get to the Tara River Canyon, especially as viewpoints, bridges, hiking trails, and rafting centres are spread across a large area.
From Žabljak, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge is around 14 miles (23 km) away and takes roughly 30-40 minutes depending on stops.
From Podgorica, the drive takes around 2.5-3 hours, while reaching the canyon from the Bay of Kotor can take significantly longer due to Montenegro’s winding mountain roads. We’d recommend staying at least one night in the area.
Public transport can get you close to the Tara River Canyon, but it is not the easiest way to explore the area. Buses connect towns like Žabljak, Mojkovac, and Plužine, but viewpoints and outdoor activities are often several miles from bus stops. You then need to opt for an expensive taxi, rent a car, or book a tour.
Organised Tara River tours are a good option if you are staying on the coast and don’t want to navigate Montenegro’s mountain roads yourself. Day trips run from places like Kotor, Budva, and Podgorica and often combine the Tara River Canyon with Durmitor National Park, the Black Lake, and the Đurđevića Tara Bridge. There are also Durmitor Ring Road Jeep Tours, which take you through some of the national park’s most impressive scenery, with several stops to look into the Tara River Canyon.
When to visit the Tara River Canyon
The best time to visit the Tara River Canyon really depends on what you want to do. Summer, July to August, offers the most reliable weather for hiking, rafting, and scenic drives, with daytime temperatures usually around 20-30°C (68-86°F).
Spring, June, is ideal for rafting because snowmelt increases river levels, creating faster rapids and more dramatic waterfalls.
Autumn, September, is one of the most beautiful times to visit, when the forests surrounding the canyon turn golden and orange.
Outside these months, especially in winter, you’ll get snow-covered landscapes and fewer visitors, but some roads, trails, and activities may be closed by weather conditions.
Is the Tara River Canyon worth visiting?
The Tara River Canyon is totally worth visiting if you enjoy dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventures, or seeing a different side of Montenegro beyond the coast.
The canyon’s appeal comes from its vastness: standing above a valley more than 1,300 metres (4,265 ft) really gives you a sense of the scale of northern Montenegro’s mountainous landscape. Rafting between towering forest-covered cliffs also gives you a completely different perspective of the country. Plus, it’s super fun.
However, if you’re only interested in beaches, historic towns, or ticking off a few sights from the car, the Tara River Canyon may not be the best fit. Reaching the canyon involves a fairly long drive through Montenegro’s mountains, and to really appreciate it, you’ll need to spend time outdoors – whether that’s hiking to viewpoints, rafting the river, or simply soaking up the scenery.
We also personally thought that the Đurđevića Tara Bridge is overhyped. It didn’t help that it was covered in scaffolding during our visit, but we also found the area quite developed and catered to tourists spending money on tours, ziplining, or panoramic restaurants. But it’s just a bridge at the end of the day, and we didn’t think the views were as impressive as other parts of the canyon. It’s worth a stop if you’re driving by or keen to zipline, but not worth planning your trip around.
We’d absolutely recommend it if you’re visiting Durmitor National Park, but you might not want to make the trip for the canyon alone unless you’re keen to go river rafting.
Tips for visiting the Tara River Canyon
The Tara River Canyon is one of Montenegro’s easiest natural attractions to visit, but a little planning goes a long way. Here are our top tips for visiting:
What to pack to visit the Tara River Canyon
Visiting the Tara River Canyon is a mountain adventure, so it’s worth preparing accordingly. Don’t forget to pack:
Tara River Canyon FAQs
To help you plan your visit to the Tara River Canyon, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions.
Is the Tara River Canyon the deepest in Europe?
The Tara River Canyon reaches depths of around 1,300 metres (4,265 ft), making it the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the deepest river canyons in the world.
What is the Tara River famous for?
The Tara River is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water, spectacular white water rafting, and the dramatic canyon it has carved through northern Montenegro. It’s also known for its exceptional water quality.
Where is the Tara River Canyon located?
The Tara River Canyon is located in northern Montenegro, forming part of Durmitor National Park and the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage site. The most visited section is around Đurđevića Tara Bridge.
What is there to do in Tara Canyon, Montenegro?
The main activities in the Tara River Canyon include white water rafting, hiking to panoramic viewpoints, visiting Đurđevića Tara Bridge, ziplining across the canyon, photographing the scenery, and exploring the surrounding mountains of Durmitor National Park.
What to do at Tara Bridge?
You can walk across Đurđevića Tara Bridge, admire views into the canyon, watch rafters below, go ziplining, visit the nearby viewpoints, or simply stop for photos before continuing your road trip through northern Montenegro.
Can you walk across Tara Bridge?
The Đurđevića Tara Bridge is open to pedestrians, and walking across it is one of the easiest ways to experience the scale of the canyon. The crossing only takes a few minutes but offers impressive views in both directions. You can also drive across it, although it gets busy in peak season.
Can you swim in Tara Canyon?
You can swim in the Tara River, although the water is very cold, even in summer. Most people experience the river while rafting, but there are calmer sections where swimming is possible if conditions are safe.
How clean is the Tara River?
The Tara River is considered one of Europe’s cleanest rivers thanks to its protected status and pristine mountain catchment. Its exceptionally clear water is one of the reasons it has earned the nickname “Tear of Europe”.
How do I get to Tara River Canyon?
The easiest way to visit the Tara River Canyon is by car, which gives you the freedom to stop at viewpoints and explore different parts of the canyon. You can also reach the area by bus to Žabljak or Mojkovac before taking a taxi, or join an organised day tour from destinations such as Kotor, Budva, or Podgorica.
Read next:
An Ultimate Guide to Visiting Durmitor National Park
Where to Stay for Durmitor National Park: Cool Cabins + Top Hotels
15 Best Things to Do in Durmitor National Park + Our Itinerary
Driving the Durmitor Ring Road Route Guide
12 Best Hikes in Durmitor National Park From Easy to Expert
What It’s Really Like Hiking Bobotov Kuk
A Complete Guide to Hiking Ćurevac Peak
