This area has recently been
acknowledged as a protected area. There has been a wonderful
grassroots movement from environmental groups, mountain
associations, caving clubs and nature lovers from the
Zavidovici area that have put a tremendous amount of energy
making this beautiful little corner of northern Bosnia a
protected one.
The
mountains in this area aren't like the towering peaks of the
central Dinaric Alps. Nonetheless, the thick conifer forests
and endless tracks of hills provide nature lovers
with a wide range of nature activities. They are just
getting started so expect a few hinges organizational wise –
but the knowledge and passion that has gone into the
eco-tourism development of this area should be an example
for the rest of the country. Here is a walk through the many
canyons and caves this area hosts. Canyon Macica is one
of the most beautiful canyons in the northern part of
Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was shaped by water cutting
through Triassic limestone with help of tectonic forces.
The water divided the limestone massif into two parts,
Masica and Middle Rock Face. The deepest depth is about
350 meters. During big rain falls when the canyon is unable
to hold all the water, the beautiful brook of Suvodol
is formed. The floor of the canyon in some parts is only
three meters wide. Those parts were once even tighter but
were widened for the sake of forest exploitation. The canyon
floor is full of caves which are ideal for bear hibernation
during the winter months. Rock Face Masicka reaches as high
as 250 meters on the
right
banks of canyon Masice. It is an ideal place for free
climbing and offers some fun and challenging routes for
climbers. At the base of the rock faces are many small
caves, fun for leisurely exploration – but only in the
summer. These caves are often inhabited by bears during the
winter. There are over a hundred caves and pits in the
region beside the peaks of Tajan Mountain. The Middle Rock
Cave is situated close to Lukina Cave and it was
found in May 2004. This is a cave with lot of large caverns
and domed rooms with beautiful cave decorations.
