Kopaonik, Serbia’s main ski resort massif, offers one of the country’s longest and most complete road climbs: from Jošanička Banja, the road climbs relentlessly to the resort’s doorstep, above 1,700 m.
A long, demanding climb
From the spa town of Jošanička Banja, the road climbs 25.4 km for 1,173 m of elevation gain, at an average of 4.6% up to the summit at 1,723 m. The gradient, never extreme on paper, combines with the sheer length of the route to make for a demanding ascent, with several steeper sections in the final 5 km.
Southern Serbia’s great massif
Kopaonik is the high point of central Serbia, with Pančić’s Peak topping the range at 2,017 m — reachable on foot or by chairlift from the resort during high season. The national park protecting the massif shelters one of the country’s richest alpine floras, along with well-preserved mountain wildlife, chamois included.
On the road
The surface is generally in good condition, with moderate traffic outside the winter ski season. Jošanička Banja, a small spa town at the foot of the massif, makes a convenient starting point, with a handful of places to stay and hot springs that are welcome after the effort.
Good to know
The climb rides best from May to October; in winter the road is cleared to serve the resort, but conditions can still be unsafe for cycling. An alternative approach exists from Rudnica — shorter but noticeably steeper, for climbers looking for an extra challenge.
