Driving a Serbian balcony road through Jerma River Canyon
Serbia, europe
48.4 km
200 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: southeastern Serbia, right near the Bulgarian border. You're cruising down Road 223, a twisty little ribbon of asphalt that carves its way through the absolutely stunning Jerma River Canyon (also known as Vlaška Gorge).
This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. This canyon was totally impassable until a narrow-gauge railway was built to service a coal mine back in the day. Now, instead of trains, you get to hug the cliffside on a paved, but seriously narrow, road. We're talking one-car-width narrow in spots.
The whole experience stretches for about 48.4 km (30 miles), from Sukovo to Babušnica. As you enter near the village of Vlasi, prepare to be dwarfed – the cliffs soar over 200 meters above you! Keep an eye out for falling rocks (seriously!) and be aware that early snow can shut this route down. The Jerma River itself can be a beast, flooding the road during heavy rains, like it did in 2021. Oh, and there are a few tunnels thrown in for good measure.
Think of it as a Serbian balcony road – the Jerma River Canyon is often called one of the most beautiful in the country. The river is a constant companion, sometimes a clear, shallow stream, and other times a raging torrent crashing over rocks. Just be aware that the water level can change dramatically depending on the weather. Trust me, the views alone are worth the white-knuckle drive!
Where is it?
Driving a Serbian balcony road through Jerma River Canyon is located in Serbia (europe). Coordinates: 44.2375, 20.9130
Road Details
- Country
- Serbia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 200 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 44.2375, 20.9130
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