Tara Canyon: rafting Europe's deepest gorge

The second deepest canyon in the world — and the most dramatic rafting in Europe

The Tara River has been cutting through limestone for millions of years. What it has produced is a gorge 1,300 m deep and 82 km long — second only to the Grand Canyon in the United States in terms of depth, and the deepest canyon entirely in Europe. The scale is difficult to process from photographs; you understand it the first time you stand at the rim of Đurđevića Tara Bridge and look down at the river threading through the grey walls far below.

The canyon sits on the border between Durmitor National Park (whose protected status extends to the river corridor) and the municipality of Pljevlja to the north. The Tara is a UNESCO-designated river — one of the last clean rivers in Europe — and commercial fishing is restricted. The water runs cold, clear, and green, coloured by glacial minerals from the Durmitor massif. On hot July days it reads somewhere between turquoise and jade.

Rafting the Tara — understanding the options

Tara River rafting is the most popular single outdoor activity in Montenegro, and it comes in formats to suit different schedules and fitness levels.

Full-day rafting (the Brstanovica section)

The full-day run covers the best whitewater of the canyon, typically launching from the put-in at Splavište and running approximately 18 km of river through the deepest sections of the gorge. Rapids reach class III–IV depending on water levels, with the most technical sections concentrated in the upper part of the run. The day includes lunch at a riverside camp, usually around the halfway point.

Water levels are highest and rapids most exciting in May and June, when snowmelt from Durmitor is still feeding the river. By August water levels drop and some sections become flat; the scenery remains spectacular but the whitewater is milder.

Full-day Tara Canyon rafting from Žabljak Tara Canyon rafting — Pljevlja departure

Half-day rafting

Half-day options use put-ins closer to Žabljak and cover a shorter section of the canyon. These are better suited to travellers on tighter schedules, families with older children, or those combining rafting with other activities on the same day (hiking, zipline).

Half-day Tara River rafting from Žabljak

Packrafting expeditions

For those wanting total immersion, three-day packrafting expeditions cover the full length of the navigable canyon, camping on riverside beaches. The experience is genuinely remote — no roads, no phone signal, no crowds. Numbers are limited and these require reasonable physical fitness.

3-day Tara Canyon packrafting expedition

A note on operator standards

All legitimate Tara rafting operators are required to hold a Montenegrin adventure tourism licence. Legitimate trips always include: personal flotation devices (life vests), helmets, a safety briefing before the put-in, a qualified guide in every raft, and a support vehicle tracking the route on the rim road. If an operator skips the briefing or does not provide helmets, walk away. Pricing for licensed operators runs €40–70 for a full-day trip, which includes transport from Žabljak.

Kayaking the lower canyon

Kayaking tours cover different sections of the river, typically below the main rafting area where the canyon walls remain dramatic but the current is more manageable for guided inflatable kayaking. These run from put-ins near Pljevlja.

Tara Canyon kayaking from Pljevlja

Đurđevića Tara Bridge — history and zipline

The five-arch concrete viaduct spanning the canyon 150 m above the Tara River is both an engineering landmark and a historical one. Built between 1937 and 1940, it was the largest concrete bridge in Europe at the time of completion. In March 1942, partisan fighter Boško Vukotić planted explosives and blew the central span to prevent the Axis forces from using it — then escaped on a rope. The bridge was rebuilt after the war. A small monument at the bridge honours Vukotić.

Today the bridge is crossed by the main road linking Žabljak and Pljevlja, and stopping at the viewpoint platform is free. The scale only becomes apparent when you look for the river below — it takes a moment to locate it between the grey walls.

For the vertigo-comfortable: a zipline runs from the bridge rim across the gorge, offering a 150 m elevation over the river. The ride takes 60–90 seconds and provides an unreplicable perspective on the canyon’s scale.

Zipline across Đurđevića Tara Bridge Tara rafting + Đurđevića Tara Bridge zipline combo

Suspension bridges and canyon viewpoints

Below the main Đurđevića Tara Bridge, two suspension footbridges cross the river at canyon bottom level, used by trekkers on multi-day routes through the gorge. Reaching these requires a steep descent from the rim road and is not part of the standard tourist route — they appear in guided trekking itineraries rather than day-trip schedules.

The best canyon rim viewpoints accessible by car are along the road from Žabljak to Pljevlja (M-18). Pull-off points appear at several points and the depth becomes more apparent with each kilometre north.

Where to base for Tara Canyon

Žabljak (45 minutes south) is the most common base, particularly for travellers combining canyon activities with hiking in Durmitor National Park. Most tour operators offer pickup from Žabljak accommodation.

Pljevlja (30 minutes north) is a working town rather than a tourist destination, but it places you closer to the northern sections of the river and the kayaking put-ins. It is worth knowing as a stopover point on a road trip toward Bosnia.

Mojkovac (1 hour southeast) offers a quieter base and is the starting point for some rafting operators covering the upper Tara sections. See the Mojkovac guide.

Getting there

The canyon rim road (M-18) between Žabljak and Pljevlja passes the Đurđevića Tara Bridge and provides access to all operator meeting points. From Žabljak, the bridge is 20 km north — about 25 minutes on a mountain road. There is no public transport along this road; a rental car or organised tour transfer is necessary.

From the coast (Kotor), add the Žabljak drive time (4 hours) to reach the canyon area. Combined day trips from Kotor that cover Durmitor and the Tara Bridge are available as organised tours.

Day trip from Kotor: Durmitor + Tara Bridge

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior rafting experience for the Tara?

No. The main Tara rafting sections are graded for beginners and intermediate paddlers. You will be in a guided raft with an experienced guide steering — you provide paddle power. Children from age 8–10 are typically accepted by operators for the half-day sections; check minimum age requirements when booking.

When is the water too low to raft?

Late August and September see the lowest water levels, when some rapids become rocky and less exciting. Operators adjust routes accordingly. The rafting season officially closes in October; some operators stop earlier if water drops below safe minimums.

Is the Tara River really that clean?

Yes. The Tara is one of the few rivers in Europe with no industrial discharge along its course. It carries European Category A (highest purity) status in the UNESCO classification. Swimming in it during a rafting trip is safe and encouraged.

Can I just visit the bridge without doing an activity?

Absolutely. The Đurđevića Tara Bridge viewpoint is accessible by car, free, and takes 20 minutes. Pair it with a picnic and the drive becomes one of the highlights of a Montenegrin road trip.