Valja Prerast

Ваља Прераст

Useful Information

Location:	5, Rudna Glava. 12 km southeast of Majdanpek. (44.3620263, 21.9916945)
Open:	no restrictions. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Tufa Deposits Karst Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=100 m, H=44.8 m, W=9.7 m, A=290 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Valja Prerast, Tel: +381-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1959	declared a geomorphological monument of nature by the Institute for Nature Protection.
25-MAY-2019	SP Prerast Šuplja stena declared a Natural Monument.

Description

Ваља Прераст or Valja Prerast (Natural Bridge) is also known as Шупља стена/Šuplja stena (Hollow Rock). It is the highest natural bridge in Serbia with a height of 45 m. But it is less than 10 m wide, so it looks like a vertical crack in the 130-150 million-year-old limestone. It is the ruin of a cave passage, so it is of karst origin, though the erosional forms on the wall suggest that it was mainly formed by erosion. The passage before and behind the bridge is collapsed and eroded, and forms a gorge. The natural bridge is a geosite of Djerdap UNESCO Geopark.

The small nature reserve СП Прераст Шупља стена/SP Prerast Šuplja stena with good infrastructure and well-attended trails is easily reached on a short hike from Highway 33 Majdanpek-Zaječar in the Šaška reka valley. There is a small car park, an educational sign, and a bridge across the Šaška reka. On the other side, the trail follows the tributary Valja Prerast upstream 1.2 km to the natural bridge, it's a pleasant 15-minute hike. However, the area has snakes (including poisonous vipers) so be careful and do not leave the trails. If you are walking normally, snakes are generally scared away.