DEVICA (Ostra cuka 1070 m)

Devica (Virgo) is a mountain above Soko banja. View from Ostra cuka is one of the most beautiful views, in this part of Serbia. You can reach Soko banja by the Belgrade-Nis highway, where, at Aleksinac, you must turn toward Soko banja. Distance between Belgrade and Soko Banja is 240 km. Road for Soko Banja leads along beautiful Bovan lake, in whose background is mountain Rtanj.

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The first thing to do, when you come to Soko banja, is to visit the famous Soko grad (Falcon Town). Below the hotel “Moravica”, from the beach, an interesting trail leads, along the river Moravica, to Soko grad. The trail passes through picnic place Lepterija, where you can restore the water supply.

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Above hotel “Moravica” is a viewpoint called Popovica, with a magnificent view at Soko grad.

When you collect all the impressions, about this wonderful place, you can continue, driving by the asphalt road, toward Ostra cuka. Follow the signs for Ocno and Kalinovica. At the junction, do not turn to the Ocno and Kalinovica, but continue straight, to the spring Sopur. Tap water is a mountain water, clear and cold, very nice refreshment before the final climb. Shortly after spring Sopur, there is a ridge, where the trail starts. On the left side of the road, you will see the markings, indicating the start of the gravel path. Ostra cuka is located in the village of Jezero, at the old road Soko banja-Nis. From the road, you will see the top of Devica. You can climb the top by the path which circles the top from the right side, or go by the shorter way, to the left, which leads through the woods. I always climbed the trail that goes to the right; just recently I saw that there is a shorter, woodland trail.

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After half an hour of walk, you will reach the foothill of Ostra cuka. It does not matter which way you will use to climb the top, you must go through the meadow and then, by a steep hill, to the top.

Just below the summit, there are wild strawberries, in huge quantities! Nice refreshment, after demanding climb. The climb lasts only 15 minutes and the reward are these beautiful views.

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On the way back, you must stop to see waterfall Ripaljka, near hospital ‘‘Ozren‘‘.

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June 2010.