Gornjak Via Ferrata and Zdrelo Springs, Serbia: 6.7 km Route
This 6.7 km route in Eastern Serbia links the Zdrelo Spa and Zdrelo Hot Springs with the Via Ferrata Gornjak cliff climb and Gornjak Monastery. The route is a mix of a steep, cable-assisted climb and a visit to the monastery, with the trip covering about 11 minutes of video.
- Distance
- 6.7 km
- Duration
- 1 h 20 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Zdrelo Spa
- End
- Gornjak Monastery
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Zdrelo Spa — A thermal spa in eastern Serbia's Gornjak area, known for its warm mineral springs and rustic bathing facilities popular with hikers and locals seeking relaxation.
- Zdrelo Hot Springs
- Via Ferrata Gornjak — Cable-assisted climbing route up a steep cliff face, the day's main activity.
- Gornjak Monastery — Starting point of the day; known for its mosaic-covered mausoleum and nearby cave monastery.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Go early in the day: the monastery was closed when the vlogger arrived early, and the restaurant where gear is rented had not yet opened, so plan around opening hours.
- Transport
- Rent via ferrata gear at the restaurant just across the street from the trailhead; it's reached by crossing a small bridge over the river.
- Avoid
- Don't skip the first section of the route by accident: the vlogger took the bailout trail and missed the initial lower part of the via ferrata, so look for the steel cable running down to the start.
- Tip
- Via ferrata requires a lanyard with two carabiners ('crab claws'); clip one before moving the other, and make sure they are oriented correctly so they don't torque against each other on a fall.
- Tip
- Some sections are very difficult: one stretch of about 2 m has almost no handholds and requires pulling up on the cable and using metal cable stays as footholds. Choose easier lines if you're not confident.
- Tip
- The full climb took roughly an hour and a half from trailhead to the top; the descent is steep with a lot of loose rock, so go carefully.
- Timing
- The vlogger suggests autumn (October) as an especially beautiful time for this climb because of the orange and yellow foliage.
- Transport
- The hot springs are a short drive from the via ferrata trailhead; the vlogger drove past them on the way in.
- Where to stay
- Zdrelo spa has saunas (one at about 70°C), a steam room, a Russian-style cold water bucket, heated seats, and a warm thermal pool; a wellness area is reached via a separate entrance.
- Tip
- Zdrelo spa has a children's room, making it suitable for families.
Video on this route
I Climbed a Cliff in Serbia 🇷🇸 | Via Ferrata Gornjak and Zdrelo Hot Springs