BUKULJA (696 m)

Bukulja is located in the heart of Sumadija, about 80 km from Belgrade. You can reach Bukulja by  the highway Belgrade-Nis, but you must turn toward Arandjelovac, from the highway. Then you will follow the signs to  Arandjelovac, which is the starting point of this tour.

The top can be reached by car, by the asphalt road that leads next to the hotel ‘‘Izvor‘‘.  At one point, you will see a road on the left side of the main road. If you continue by the main road, after 15 minutes you will reach the beautiful lake Garasi.

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If you turn left, after 20 meters you will see the board. This is the beginning of a marked path, which leads through the woods. It takes about 45 minutes to the top. You can not reach the highest peak due to a military facility, but you can climb to the lookout, from which you will see Arandjelovac. And mountain Vencac.

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The trip can be more interesting if, at the entrance of Arandjelovac, you decide to visit cave Risovaca. Cave is on the left side of the road. Risovaca is the second most visited cave in Serbia, just after cave Resava. Risovaca is known for the fact that a complete skeleton, of a prehistoric cave bear, was found in it. This skeleton is now at the museum of Arandjelovac.

For those who want to make a long walk, I have a suggestion. Orasac, the famous Serbian village, is located 12 km before Arandjelovac. It is a place where Karadjordje (Black George) raised the First Serbian Uprising, against Turks, in 1804. The decision was made at Maricevica ravine, where you can start your hiking tour. From the main road to Arandjelovac, you will see a road sign for Maricevica ravine. There is a monument of Karadjordje, a school and a museum, with a permanent exhibition of the First Serbian Uprising.

After you visit the museum, go downhill, to Maricevic ravine. Next to the museum is the church where, in the churchyard, is the grave of Theodosius Maricevic, one of the candidates for the leader of the Uprising. He died of wounds, after duel with Karadjordje.

From the ravine, path leads up, by the stairs with visible markings.

After 100 meters, you will be out on an asphalt road, which leads over the hills and all the way to Arandjelovac. Soon you will notice a board with sign ‘‘Karadjordjev vajat‘‘. This ethno house has a nice view at mountain Kosmaj. This is the ideal place for a break. There are a few huts where you can overnight. It looks like this:

After a break at the ethno house, trail leads to a crossroad. You will easy find the right way to Arandelovac (there is a signpost). The asphalt road will take you near the city market, which is located next to the city park and spa “Bukovik”. The park is well known for its large number of sculptures.

Once you have visited the park and tasted mineral water, continue to the top, passing by hotel ‘‘Izvor‘‘, as I already described in the beginning. From Orasac to the top of Bukulja, you could hike for 4-5 hours, depending on your shape.

August 2010.