Veliki Strbac - Iron Gates views hike

This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have done in Serbia. Definitely top five!

I would highly recommend doing this late March to mid April. That way you will get the spring flowers and emerging green, but the trees will still be largely bare, so the views to the Danube (which is what this hike is all about) will be clearer and better. Also make sure it hasn't rained in the days leading up to the hike - otherwise it will be muddy and it's a long way to slip and slide down from the top.

My tracking stopped at some point (the straight line in the map) - I don't know why and it doesn't matter. The trail is very well marked. The bit that is missing is all the stuff at the top with the great views!! I also haven't posted too many view pics with this write up - just go see it for yourself.

This is also one of the few hikes I've done in Serbia that genuinely felt like being in unspoiled nature. I think the fact it is in a National Park and you have to call the ranger before you do the hike (030 215 0070 for the park or 030 591400 for the Donji Milanovac tourist info centre) keeps the numbers of people doing this hike low - and we did this on a Friday, we had the trail to ourselves all day.

If you come on the weekend, I've been told the ranger is usually at the carpark at the beginning of the hike - entry is RSD250 - otherwise pay at the buildings behind the accommodation cabin as the ranger will probably be there.

If you want a shorter and easier hike that still has great views, just go as far at the Ploce lookout (my fourth flag) and then head back to the start. This is what most visitors do.

There is only one farm along the whole route - which helps make the trail feel more unspoilt. It has over protective barking dogs, but just don't get too close to the sheep and you will be fine!

We did this as a very long day trip from Belgrade, starting at 7:00am and returning at 10:30 pm. If you are self-driving, I suggest parking at the end point and walking to the start. No-one wants to be walking along the road back to the car at the end of a hike - especially if you finish late and the light is fading. We completed the hike right on sunset. We are not the fastest hikers, but even with more efficient use of time you'd be hard pressed to do the whole trip from Belgrade in anything less than 7:00 am to 8:30pm if you also want to take photos and stop for lunch etc.