zlatar's nature
Forests
The forests of Zlatar are deciduous-coniferous and mixed coniferous type and have a large impact on the climate. Due to forest contribution to increasing the oxygen content and reducing the presence of harmful particles, the mountain has been declared an air spa. Zlatar is extremely rich in medicinal herbs such as chamomile, St John’s-wort and yarrow.
Lakes
Zlаtаr lake (Kokin Brod) is the third largest in Serbia and the largest in the Uvac lake system. It is located about ten kilometers from Nova Varoš. The shore of Zlatar Lake is arranged, a pontoon beach with a pool for children is set up, and there is also a beach volleyball court. Griffon vultures can be seen from the tower of the Visitor Center. The lake has very clear water and is mostly navigable and suitable for fishing.
Uvаc lake (Sjeničko) is located between the villages Akmačići and Bukovik in the municipalities of Sjenica and Nova Varoš. The maximum depth of the lake is 108 m, it is known for the meanders of Uvac cut into the limestone massif, and it is especially interesting because of the high, sharp rocks that intersect the landscape. One of the most famous is the Girl’s Rock. The lake is rich in fish, especially carp, chub, roach, barbel and catfish.
Most downstream lake in the Uvac is Radoinjsko Lake, wedged between steep limestone coasts in some places is narrower than 50 m. The water temperature is lower than Zlatar and Uvac Lake for about 10-12°C. The water transparency reaches up to 5 m. Radoinjsko lake is extremely rich in fish and the most important representatives are: goldfinch, chub, woodpecker, roach, barbel, carp. It can be heard that the blue-green Radoinjsko lake is “a piece of paradise in western Serbia”. A griffon vulture nests on the cliffs of the lake.
The Uvac reserve
The special nature reserve “Uvac” is a natural good of the first category. Central morphological unit of the reserve is the canyon valley of the river Uvac with valleys of its tributaries. Water of the river Uvac cut their bed deep into the limestone rocks and formed narrow gorge-canyon valley with high, steep limestone cliffs. The maximum depth of the canyon is up to 350 m. The meanders of Uvac are recognizable image of Serbia and can be viewed from viewports: Veliki vrh, Ravni krš, Molitva, Bukovik, Vaganica, Stevanetići, Savina stolica, Vraneša.
The Ušak cave system is the largest speleological object in Serbia, which consists of two caves, Ušak and Ledena, and the Bezdana pit that connects them. The total length of the system is over 6000 m. The Ušak cave is the lowest and largest part of the system. Through its main channel flows occasional stream. Bezdana pit is the smallest, but also the most interesting part of the Ušak system. Ledena cave is very rich in cave jewelry. The entrance is below a steep limestone section, where a clear lake has been created. Visiting this cave is a kind of adventure, since it can be reached only by boat.
There are about 130 species of birds in the reserve and the most famous is the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the vulture eagle of impressive size with wingspan up to 3 meters, which lives exclusively in areas of preserved nature. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the local population, griffon vultures have been preserved from complete extinction, so today can be seen about 450-500 individuals in the reserve area. Today, here is the largest colony of this rare bird in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe.
