My Perfect Bike Adventure
Text & photos by Jovana Radovanović
If you crave for a day spent in untouched nature with a group of true nature lovers and enthusiasts, then explore Fruška Gora Mount and Sremski Karlovci in the most adventurous way – by bicycle! Whether you’re an MTB lover or just an enthusiastic tourist who likes to ride a bicycle, this tour will surely meet your expectations!
Note that the organizer provides all the necessary equipment, snacks, and refreshments, you just need to bring your best mood and book the tour on this website.
Starting point: Sremski Karlovci
After an hour-long car drive, we’ve arrived at Sremski Karlovci, a historical, picturesque city on the slopes of Fruška Gora with only ten thousand living souls, but a home to many striking sights with great historical importance such as The Patriarchate Court with the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church inside it (which is a must-see), The Four Lions Fountain, The First Serbian High School, The Lady of Peace Chapel, The Upper and the Lower Church and many others. As for The Four Lions Fountain, there is a legend saying that anyone who drinks water from it will certainly return to Sremski Karlovci and get married in the city. After a half-an-hour ride through the city, we started cycling towards Stražilovo, the popular local excursion site with stunning nature and the surroundings.
Stražilovo Hill: Branko’s Grave
Upon arrival at Stražilovo, we made a short break near the Statue of Branko Radičević, the famous Serbian Romantic poet who died very young. From there, we started cycling uphill by dirt road winding through the dense forest towards Branko’s Grave, a memorial dedicated to the poet. Upon arrival at the top of the hill (altitude 400 m), we made another break during which we refreshed ourselves and had a snack. After that, we started an exciting downhill ride through the forest, which was an unforgettable experience. It’s worth mentioning that air temperature in Fruška Gora Mount is always pleasant so that ride through its’ shady woods gives a real pleasure even on hot summer days.
This is What I Call a Complete Recharge
Both the uphill and downhill ride towards the monastery Velika Remeta was fantastic! Nature was stunning and the feeling was outstanding. Although I felt tired, I wasn’t whining nor complaining. How could I in such a great company and such a beautiful hilly area?
In the Shades of the Old Monastery
Upon arrival in the monastery, we enjoyed the chime of the bells in the highest belfry in the area. The monastery was namely built at the beginning of the 14th century by the Serbian King Dragutin and was home to most beautiful frescos and religious paintings ever since. After we drank water from the nearby spring well-known for its healing potentials, we continued our ride.
A View That Will Take Your Breath Away
After the „healing refreshment“ at the monastery, we continued cycling towards the viewpoint in Sremski Karlovci – the place with the stunning view of the city, the Danube River, red-tiled roofs, many church bell-towers and the forests on the opposite riverbank. There, we were „greeted“ by another Serbian late poet – Duško Trifunović – whose statue sits on the steps and looks towards the river. After we enjoyed a delicious ice-cream, we cycled downhill towards the heart of the city and the spot from where we had started the adventure in the first place.
To be honest, I can hardly wait to join the group for the next adventure. Right now, I don’t know which one it would be, but I’m sure it would be as exciting and interesting as this one was.
This adventurous bike-tour and many more similar tours are waiting for you at the website SerbianAdventures.com. Visit the website and choose your own adventure. I guarantee you’ll enjoy every single minute of it!