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No Return Valley: Hiking in Pustinjac – Valja Fundata

Details - What to expect

This hiking adventure route begins with a tour of Rajko Cave.

Rajko was the bandit who is presumed to have lived at beginning of the 19th century. He robbed Turkish caravans at night and hid them in this cave. The cave was first explored by the geographer Jovan Cvijić in 1894, and the research was continued only in the seventies of the twentieth century. Rajkova Cave was opened to tourists in 1975.

It is rich in cave jewelry of fairy-tale shapes (jewelry is made of the highest quality white crystalline calcite). The temperature of the cave is a constant 8 degrees Celsius, and the air humidity is 100%, which is why a warmer wardrobe is recommended for visiting the cave, even in the summer. The length of the trail, accessible to visitors, inside Rajkova cave is about 1.4 kilometers.

After that, there is an ascent to the top of the Starica mountain, which can be reached in several ways. There are an easier way (from the lake "Veliki zaton") and a bit shorter but much more interesting climbs: "Cardio" trail and "Ikar's" trail (walk along the entire ridge of the mountain Starica). The highest peak of Starica is located at 796 meters above sea level (the lower part of the town of Majdanpek is at 350 meters above sea level).

The cumulative ascent along the trail is about 450 meters. Residents of this part of Serbia say for Majdanpek that the island is in a sea of ​​forests. The trail is mostly forest, and it takes about 90 minutes to walk to the top of Starica. The view from the top is fascinating - the whole city and the amazing landscapes within a radius of 80 kilometers can be seen as in the palm of your hand.

After descending from the mountain Starica, we go to the village of Debeli Lug, where the ascent to the Pustinjac desert begins. Pustinjac (in Vlach - Valja Fundata or in free translation "No Return Valley") is located 7 kilometers from Majdanpek. This sandy desert is located at the very top of the hill - which makes it specific and not very easily accessible. At the same time, near the desert is the unique canyon of the golden river Pek.

This desert has an area of ​​several square kilometers, and in its appearance and structure (fineness) of sand, it is closest to the Egyptian deserts and the Eastern Sahara. It is a desert created as a result of decades of ore processing in search of gold and copper. The sand of this desert is a consequence of ore flotation. The desert itself is located on the site of the former Majdanpek Copper Mine (it is a mine that is now owned by the Chinese company "ZIJIN Bor Copper DOO"). The Vlach name of the desert - "Valja Fundata" is not easy to translate, but the closest meaning is "No Return Valley". Once you see the Pustinjac, you will understand why the natives gave this desert such a picturesque name.

Event Features

Duration/Days : 184
Trail Length/km : 10
Difficulty Level : Easy

Suitable for most people of different ages who have a basic level of fitness. Altitude difference less than 800 meters and total distance less than 12 km.

Elevation/m above sea level
810
Fitness Level
Kids Friendly
No special fitness level required
Adventure level & injury potential
Walking with a low chance of injury
Required Gear
First Aid
Hiking Shoes
Backpack
Food
Flashlight
Landscape
Waterfall
Cave
Deep Forest
Spring
Peak
Desert
Included Activities & Specials
Hiking
Family Bonding
Izgradnja Timova
Outdoor Adventure
Outdoor Adventures
Team building
Cancelation Policy

*Rools that must be accepted while booking

14+ days before trip - full credit to a future trip. 13 ~ 7 days before trip - 25% fee 6 ~ 2 days before trip 50% fee Less than 48 hours before trip: 100% fee
Tips

Desert Pusinjac, Rajkos Cave, Mountain Starica

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