KUKAVICA (river Vucjanka canyon, Kita 988 m)

The picturesque and fascinating canyon of river Vucjanka is located near Leskovac, in the village of Vucje, at the foothill of mountain Kukavica. While exploring the canyon, the nearest peak you can climb is Kita (988 m). The circular route through the canyon of Vucjanka is approximately 5 km long. At the three-kilometer point, near the Sokolica viewpoint, you can turn onto a trail that leads to Kita. The circular route follows this path: Hydroelectric power plant Vucje – Waterfall Vucjanka – Skobaljic town – Kamen cuvar (Guardian Stone) – Sokolica viewpoint – Church of St. John the Baptist – Hydroelectric power plant Vucje. HPP Vucje is the second oldest HPP in Serbia, built in 1903, on the Vucjanka river. The first power plant was built in 1900, on the river Djetinja, near the town of Uzice.

The distance between Belgrade and HPP Vucje is about 300 km (a three-hour drive). The first attraction, waterfall Vucjanka, is located just 100 meters from the power plant. Only the lower cascade, approximately 15 meters high, is visible from below, while above lies “Djokin vir” (a swimming spot) and several other cascades. It is possible to climb the rocks above the lower cascade, but be careful!

HPP Vucje

Waterfall Vucjanka

The guards of the hydroelectric power plant opened the gate for us, so that we could make the circular tour around the canyon. After a 1 km of walk (20 minutes), and about 200 m of ascent, we came to the remains of the fortress Skobaljic town (15th century), which was built by the Serbian duke Nikola Skobaljic. Before Skobaljic town, there is a beautiful viewpoint.

Skobaljic fortress

From Skobaljic fortress, we descended for 200 meters, to a painted rock known as the “Guardian stone” (Kamen čuvar), located just five minutes away from the fortress. On one side of the rock are the pictures of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, while the other side features images of St. John the Baptist, St. Paraskeva, Archangel Michael, St. Alypius and St. Nicholas. It is a truly beautiful sight.

Guardian stone

From Guardian stone, it takes about 25 minutes (1.2 km) to reach the Sokolica viewpoint (530 m), a rock above the Vucjanka canyon.

Viewpoint Sokolica

The entire circular trail around the canyon is marked well, with the signposts. A path to the summit of Kita (988 m) starts at the viewpoint Sokolica; just after you cross the asphalt road. It is a wide, gravel path, almost all the way to the summit. The trail is marked very well, with signposts at key locations. You will follow the path that goes via village of Sutulica, which is marked. After 6 km (2.5 hours of hiking) and an ascent of 550 m, you will reach Kita. The peak is situated within the forest, and there are no impressive viewpoints, except for one located just before the peak, near the forest cabin.

Kita

On the way back, we visited a viewpoint Klaten kamen, with a lovely view of the forests and peaks of Kukavica.

Klaten kamen

From the Sokolica viewpoint, follow the asphalt road towards the HPP Vucje, for a few hundred meters, and then turn left, onto a marked forest trail that leads back to your starting point. This 1.2 km trail brings you to the beginning of the route at the HPP Vucje. The total length of the whole route, including Vucjanka canyon and the ascent to Kita, is approximately 16 km, with an elevation of about 600 meters.

Turn left here, into the forest

If you don’t want to climb Kita, just do a circular tour around the canyon. The beauty and attractions of the Vucjanka canyon you will like for sure!

July 2026.