Tara Canyon in Montenegro: The Deepest Canyon in Europe

February 16, 2026, 3:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

It is hardly known, yet it is the deepest gorge in Europe. It is especially popular with adventurous travelers. Why this is so, where you can get the best view, and when a visit is worthwhile.

The small Mediterranean country of Montenegro delights visitors not only with its beaches but also with the spectacular nature inland. A particular treasure is the Durmitor National Park, as it houses a natural wonder of absolute superlatives: the Tara Gorge. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and, at up to 1,300 meters, one of the deepest gorges in the world. For comparison, the Grand Canyon in the U.S. is a maximum of 1,800 meters deep.

The Tara, at about 140 kilometers the longest river in the country, has carved its way into the rock in this gorge. The river impresses with rapids, waterfalls up to 60 meters high, and not least with the extraordinarily beautiful color of the water. Enclosed in a wonderful mountain landscape that shines in the most splendid green of the forests in spring and summer, the gorge winds about 78 kilometers through the country.

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The Best View of the Tara Gorge

A unique view of this postcard panorama and down into the gorge can be had from the Durdevica Tara Bridge. According to “GEO,” it was built in 1940 and spans about 150 meters above the gorge.

Also interesting: The Spectacular Verdun Gorge

Not for the faint of heart: View from the Durdevica Tara Bridge over the Tara Gorge

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A Flight Over the Tara Gorge

The water is so wild that you can still hear its roar up here. And that’s despite the truly Babylonian babble of excited tourists, as the bridge is undoubtedly the most popular viewpoint of the gorge. If that’s not enough, there are two options for a real adrenaline rush: On the one hand, various companies now offer rafting tours on the Tara River, where you can tackle various rapids. On the other hand, you can also fly over the Grand Canyon of Europe.

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Well, not directly. But it certainly feels like flying when you zipline over the Tara Gorge–a mix of excitement and fear. Given the height, you can’t help but think about what would happen if you fell. The thrill lasts at most a minute, but it’s one you won’t soon forget.

Even the Journey is Impressive

The drive to the gorge is also quite exciting, mainly due to the truly magnificent nature along the way. The route leads over switchbacks, passing by the equally wild Morača Gorge, along which a railway line winds at dizzying heights, connecting Montenegro’s Podgorica with Serbia’s Belgrade.

According to the site “Rafting Montenegro,” the months of May and June, due to the high water levels of the river, are more suitable for adventurers, while from July to September, conditions for rafting are also suitable for beginners and families. The water of the Tara is safe to drink–though at a maximum of 12 degrees in summer, it might be too cold for most to swim.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.