Where a mountain river becomes a legend — descending through Europe's deepest canyon, between wild rapids and turquoise depths that take your breath away.
Imagine: a rubber raft, a paddle in your hands, and ahead of you a canyon more than a kilometre deep. The turquoise waters of the Tara rush around you as you accelerate toward the first of 22 rapids. This is rafting on the Tara — an adventure that has placed Montenegro on the map of the world's top rafting destinations, shoulder to shoulder with the Colorado and the Zambezi.
An adrenaline-fueled descent through Europe's deepest canyon — the Tara River offers an unforgettable rafting experience for everyone, from beginners to seasoned adventurers.
River Length
144 km
Canyon Depth
1,333 m
Day Tour
2–5 hours
Difficulty Level
III–V (international scale)
Water Temperature
max. 15°C
Season
April – October
Highlights
Top Routes
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, lower Tara
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, lower Tara
The most popular single-day route, 18 km long, featuring 21 of the Tara's total 50 rapids. The elevation drop is approximately 65 metres. Journey time 2–5 hours depending on the season — in April just 30–45 minutes due to the strong current, in August up to 5 hours. Ideal for beginners and families.
Đurđevića Tara Bridge — Brštanovica, middle section
Đurđevića Tara Bridge — Brštanovica, middle section
The starting point for multi-day tours, beneath the iconic Đurđevića Tara bridge. This segment passes through the upper and middle canyon with deep gorges, old-growth black pine forest, and calmer stretches suitable for swimming. It is combined with the lower segment for 2–3 day expeditions.
Splavište — Šćepan Polje, full rafting canyon
Splavište — Šćepan Polje, full rafting canyon
An epic multi-day expedition of approximately 100 km through the entire rafting canyon. It passes the Ljutica waterfall, the rapids of Funjičko and Bijele ploče, the Sušica canyon, and the Brstanovačke rapids. Organised as a 3–5 day adventure with overnight stays at camps along the river. For experienced adventurers.
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, high water level
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, high water level
The same route as the single-day tour, but in completely different conditions — high water levels from snowmelt raise the difficulty to grades IV–V. The rapids are longer, faster, and more demanding. Recommended for experienced rafters or with an experienced skipper. Descent time just 45–90 minutes due to the strong current.
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, low water level
Brštanovica — Šćepan Polje, low water level
In August the water level drops and the Tara becomes more accessible for children aged 7 and above and beginners. The difficulty drops to grade III, the ride lasts 3–4 hours with stops for swimming and cliff jumping. Ideal for families wanting a combination of adventure and enjoyment in the canyon's natural surroundings.
Descend into the heart of the old continent's wildest canyon.
Turquoise and ice-cold, the Tara flows through 1,333 metres of stone silence — waiting for those brave enough to conquer it.
Gallery
Did You Know?
The Tara River is so clean that it can be drunk straight from the current — local guides do it every day. The Tara Canyon is the second deepest in the world, right behind the Grand Canyon, and the old-growth black pine forest 'Crna poda' along its banks hides trees that are 450 years old and over 50 metres tall.
Plan Your Visit
The season runs from April to October. April and May offer maximum adrenaline with high water levels, while July and August are ideal for families and beginners with calmer rapids.
The starting points are Brštanovica (single-day tours) and the bridge at Đurđevića Tara (multi-day tours), both accessible from Žabljak within a 30–45 minute drive. Most rafting operators from Žabljak organise transfers to the starting points. From Podgorica to Žabljak is approximately a 2.5-hour drive through Durmitor National Park.
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