Tara (Drina) Stream

The Tara is a mountain river rising in Montenegro that becomes one of the principal tributaries feeding the Drina River. It is best known for the Tara River Canyon, a deep and rugged gorge that is a prominent natural feature of the region.

The canyon contains steep limestone cliffs, rapids and long, scenic stretches of river that attract rafting, kayaking and hiking activity. Access points and rafting launches are situated along designated sections of the river used by commercial operators.

The river and its canyon have been shaped by long-term fluvial erosion through uplifted terrain and are part of protected landscapes and national parks in the region. The area is noted for biodiversity and riverine habitats.

Geographically the Tara flows through northern Montenegro and continues towards the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina where it contributes to the Drina. The canyon lies in mountainous terrain and is reached from regional towns and mountain roads in the surrounding municipalities.

• Canyon depth and length: The Tara River cuts one of the deepest canyons in Europe, with sections reaching depths of around 1,300 metres and a canyon length measured in tens of kilometres.
• Rafting season: River rafting and canyon-focused tourism are concentrated in the warmer months, with commercial rafting trips operating on the canyon’s white-water stretches.

What to See#

• Tara River Canyon: Tara River Canyon - a deep, narrow gorge carved by the river with dramatic cliffs and white-water sections popular for rafting.
• Confluence and river system: Confluence area where the Tara meets other regional rivers to form the Drina, an important hydrological junction in the borderlands between Montenegro and Bosnia.