Hiking trail NEBESKE STOLICE

The trail passes through the landscapes of Ravni Kopaonik and partially through two nature reserves, Suvo Rudište and Duboka. The trail leads to the Nebeske Stolice ridge (1913 meters above sea level), located south of Pančić’s Peak. Along the ridge, there are groups of rocks offering views of the surrounding mountains, peaks, and picturesque villages. The ridge, which later gave its name to the entire hill, was named by the Serbian military leader Živojin Mišić, who observed this beauty from Belo Brdo and remarked that it reminded him of thrones where gods sit. This is a place where even the heavens find rest! On a clear and sunny day, the ridge offers views of the Komovi, Durmitor, Bjelasica, Šar Planina, and Korab. The trail leads us across a gently rolling ridge covered with grass, low juniper, and blueberries to the archaeological site of Crkvine, where the remains of an early Christian basilica dating back to the 5th century can be found. Coins from the time of Diocletian and Constantine were discovered during excavations, providing evidence of Roman presence in the area. Every year, on this Crkvine platform dedicated to Saint Procopius, residents of the surrounding villages gather to pray and celebrate the saint, who is revered as the protector of miners. The ridge is a natural habitat for the Kopaonik houseleek and the Kopaonik violet, as well as the rare species of bird known as the horned lark. From the ridge, one can clearly see remnants of past mining activities, with “well-type” holes visible on the hills below, from which Saxons once extracted iron ore. This attests to Kopaonik’s history as a major mining region. Due to the rugged topography, the area offers ideal conditions for paragliding.