Located just 2 km from the center of Sokobanja, the Lepterija picnic area is a landscape whose beauty knows no season. As you step along the forest path from the town center, crossing the bridge over the Moravica River, you feel nature gently embracing you – greenery takes over, birds awaken their dreams, and you slowly fall into its rhythm.
The well-arranged area – with benches, tables, and shelters – invites you to pause, to take a break from busy urban days. Along Lepterija itself, the quiet, clear water of springs and the Moravica River whisper stories of time and tranquility.
A Walk Through the Seasons: Every Season Its Wonder
Summer in Lepterija brings freshness: the shade of tall trees offers relief from the heat, Moravica calls you to cool off, and the murmur of water mixed with forest air makes you feel as if you’re in a natural spa.
Autumn, however, paints a different magic – from golden and bronze to ruby-red shades. Leaves fall, branches play with sunlight, and the ground beneath your feet rustles like an old letter written by nature itself. In October, as the first cool breeze arrives and soft rains fall, the walk gains a new dimension: dew glimmers on moss, fallen leaves form mosaics underfoot, and the crisp air carries the scent of resin and wet earth.
On side trails, true adventure awaits – mushroom picking. Yes, indeed – during damp seasons, the forests around Lepterija often hide various species of mushrooms. It’s a pleasure to search for them, to learn their shapes, colors, and textures. Each year, depending on rainfall and temperature, new varieties appear.
Winter brings calm: the leaves are long gone, and the forest becomes a world of impressions – the outlines of branches, stillness, an occasional animal track, the scent of frost. Though quieter, winter in Lepterija holds its own mystique – for those who wish to feel nature stripped of noise and color.
One of the most exciting routes begins right at Lepterija – the trail toward the old Sokograd fortress and viewpoints such as Golemi Kamen and Šiljati Kamen. The full circular route is about 4.9 km long, with an elevation difference of around 398 m. Total hiking time: about 2.5 hours – perfect for an afternoon outing that blends physical activity and lasting memories.
Along the way, you’ll follow the Moravica valley, pass by caves, and see the ruins of Sokograd. From Golemi Kamen, a magnificent view of the Sokobanja valley opens up – as if you’re standing on the balcony of a heavenly amphitheater.
In autumn, the trail takes on an extra charm: carpets of fallen leaves, golden hues, and hidden corners where sunlight filters through like through old windows.
The Trail to Sokograd and the Golemi Kamen Panorama
A Call to Adventure – For All Lovers of Nature’s Melancholy
October is the perfect month for a walk under the trees, to quiet the noise of daily life and find yourself in the whisper of leaves. In this period, Lepterija is more than a picnic spot – it’s an invitation. An invitation to go out, to touch the bark of a tree, to listen to the wind through the branches, to greet the sunset from the viewpoint.
We invite you this autumn to spend healing moments in the calm and splendor of nature. To surrender to the forest, to walk the trails of Lepterija toward Sokograd, to search for mushrooms (in harmony with nature, respectfully), and to feel how every season brings its own thrill – though autumn perhaps most of all.
Make this October special – come, walk, and reconnect with yourself to the sound of the Moravica, the colors of the leaves, and the wind whispering, “the next step… the next breath… nature is waiting.”
We warmly welcome you to Lepterija – your autumn reunion with nature.
*Translation powered by AI