Tara River Canyon

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

The Tara River Canyon is the deepest river canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon, reaching a maximum depth of 1,300 metres. Stretching for 82 kilometres through the heart of Montenegro's mountain wilderness, the canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Tara River itself — known as the 'Tear of Europe' for the exceptional purity of its waters — flows through the canyon in a series of rapids, calm pools, and cascading waterfalls, its colour shifting from deep emerald to crystalline turquoise. White-water rafting through the canyon is one of Montenegro's premier adventure experiences, with multi-day trips passing through 50 rapids, beneath towering limestone walls, and past beaches accessible only from the river. The Đurđevića Tara Bridge, a five-arch concrete bridge spanning the canyon at a height of 172 metres, is an engineering marvel built between 1937 and 1940 and offers vertiginous views down into the gorge. The surrounding forests of ancient black pine are home to brown bears, wolves, and the rare Balkan lynx, while the river itself supports populations of endangered Danube salmon (huchen).

Planning the wider trip? The Montenegro planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Tara River Canyon.