ST401 Belgrade - Avala

The ST401 Belgrade - Avala is a roughly 22-km point-to-point trail in Serbia, climbing about 450 m of elevation from the Danube riverbank up to the 511 m summit of Mount Avala. Rated expert because of its length, exposed urban-edge sections and final forested ascent, it is the opening Serbian stage of the 2,500-km Sultans Trail from Vienna to Istanbul.

About the ST401 Belgrade - Avala

The ST401 Belgrade - Avala is a single waymarked stage of the Sultans Trail, a 2,500-km cultural walking route that links St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna with the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul. The full trail crosses nine countries — Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey — and was developed by a Netherlands-based NGO, the Sultans Trail Foundation, as a modern path of peace that traces the 1529 campaign route of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. This stage belongs to the International Walking Network (IWN), placing it among the most significant long-distance footpaths in the world.

This particular section leaves the Serbian capital and heads south to Mount Avala, a 511-metre hill that rises abruptly above the Šumadija plain. Belgrade sits at roughly 117 m on the confluence of the Sava and Danube, so the walk is a steady gain of around 450 m spread across the day, with the sharpest climbing reserved for the wooded final kilometres. The reward at the top is one of Serbia's most recognisable landmarks: the 204.5-metre Avala Tower and Ivan Meštrović's Monument to the Unknown Hero. Because the route threads through busy urban fringe, suburban roads and then dense forest, it is rated expert — navigation and stamina matter more here than raw vertical metres.

The ST401 works equally well as a long day hike for visitors based in Belgrade or as the first true leg of a multi-week Sultans Trail thru-hike heading toward Bulgaria. The Serbian corridor continues through Smederevo, Niš and Pirot, but Avala is the symbolic gateway out of the city and into the Balkan interior.

The history behind the route adds weight to every step. The Sultans Trail follows, in reverse, the line of march that Süleyman the Magnificent took in 1529 when he set out from Istanbul on 10 May and reached the walls of Vienna on 23 September — a 141-day campaign that ended in his first major defeat. Belgrade had fallen to the Ottomans eight years earlier, in 1521, and the city remained a frontier stronghold for centuries; Kalemegdan Fortress, where this stage begins, carries the layered scars of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Habsburg rule. Walking south from that contested confluence toward Avala, you trace a corridor that armies, merchants and pilgrims have used for more than a thousand years. The modern foundation reframes that violent past as a path of peace open to people of all faiths, which is why the route deliberately passes monasteries, mosques and memorials alike.

For navigation, the Sultans Trail uses its own waymarking alongside the partially overlapping E8 European long-distance path, but signage thins out inside the city, so a downloaded GPX track is essential for the urban kilometres. Once you reach the Avala forest the network of intersecting tracks can be confusing, and several unmarked paths branch toward the villages on the hill's far side — another reason this stage earns its expert rating despite modest vertical gain.

Route Overview & Stages

The stage divides naturally into three segments: the riverside and city exit, the suburban transition through Belgrade's southern districts, and the forest climb to the summit. The table below breaks down approximate distances and gain so you can plan water stops and pace.

Distances are approximate; the Sultans Trail Foundation periodically reroutes urban sections around construction, so always cross-check the latest GPX before setting out.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Kalemegdan Fortress — the historic citadel above the Sava–Danube confluence, with ramparts dating to Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian eras, marking the symbolic start of the city exit.
• Sava and Danube confluence — the meeting of two major European rivers at roughly 70 m elevation, visible from the fortress walls before the route turns inland and south.
• Vračar plateau and Temple of Saint Sava — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, a useful navigation landmark on the way out of the centre.
• Banjica Forest — a green corridor on Belgrade's southern edge that offers the first proper trail surface and shade after the pavement of the city.
• Pinosava village — the last settlement with shops before the climb, a natural place to top up water and food at the foot of the mountain.
• Avala Forest — a protected woodland of oak, beech and conifer cloaking the hill's flanks, rich in birdlife and crossed by several intersecting paths.
• Avala Tower — a 204.5-metre telecommunications tower rebuilt in 2010, with an observation deck reached by lift offering panoramas across Šumadija and back to Belgrade.
• Monument to the Unknown Hero — Ivan Meštrović's 1938 mausoleum of black granite, guarded by eight caryatids, standing at the 511 m summit.

Best Time to Hike the ST401 Belgrade - Avala

Serbia has a continental climate with hot summers and cold, occasionally snowy winters, so the shoulder seasons are by far the most comfortable for this stage. May is the single best month to hike the ST401: daytime highs sit around 22–24 °C, the Avala forest is in full leaf, wildflowers line the southern allotments, and the long evenings give plenty of margin for a 22-km day. Rainfall is moderate and the trail surface in the woods has dried out from the spring thaw.

September and early October make an excellent second choice, with stable high-pressure days, autumn colour on the beech slopes and fewer biting insects than midsummer. As of 2026, regional forecasts continue to show Belgrade summers trending warmer, with July and August highs frequently exceeding 32 °C — uncomfortable on the exposed urban and suburban sections that have little shade. If you must walk in high summer, start at first light and carry extra water. Winter hiking is possible but the forest tracks above Pinosava can ice over, and the upper hill occasionally holds snow from December to February, raising the practical difficulty.

Whatever month you choose, start early. The 22-km distance combined with a city exit means you will spend the first two to three hours on pavement, and beginning at dawn lets you clear the suburbs before the heat and traffic build. Aim to reach the Avala summit by mid-afternoon so you have daylight and bus connections in hand for the return. Spring and autumn also bring clearer air, which matters because the whole point of climbing Avala is the view — on a hazy August afternoon the Belgrade skyline can disappear entirely from the tower's observation deck.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because the stage starts and ends within day-trip range of Belgrade, most hikers base themselves in the city rather than camping. Belgrade hostels run roughly €12–22 per dorm bed, while mid-range guesthouses and three-star hotels sit around €45–80 per double room. There is no formal hut on Avala itself, but the area around the summit has a couple of small mountain restaurants and the historic Hotel Avala building nearby; budget for €50–70 if you want to overnight on the hill. Wild camping is not officially permitted inside the protected Avala forest, so plan to descend or stay in Pinosava's limited private rooms. For a multi-day Sultans Trail itinerary, build your day-by-day lodging plan in the HikeLoad stage-planning workflow used for routes like Theth to Valbona.

Getting There & Back

The trailhead is central Belgrade, served by Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), about 18 km west of Kalemegdan and around 30–40 minutes by the A1 airport bus or taxi. Belgrade Centre (Prokop) railway station connects the city to the wider Serbian and international network. To return from Avala, suburban bus line 400 and 401 services run between Voždovac/Banjica and the Avala area; the ride back to the city centre takes roughly 40–50 minutes, making a one-way hike with bus return entirely practical. Verify current departures with the city transport operator before you set off.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the ST401 Belgrade - Avala, and access to the Avala forest and summit is free. The only optional cost is the lift to the Avala Tower observation deck, which charges a small entrance fee of a few euros. Consult the official route authority at the Sultans Trail Foundation for up-to-date GPX tracks and rerouting notices, and the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade for current public-transport and opening-hours information.

Gear & Packing List

This is a long single day on mixed surfaces — pavement, gravel and forest path — so footwear and water capacity matter more than technical mountaineering kit. A 35–50-litre pack is ample for a day hike with the option of an overnight in the city. The lightweight, comfortable Abisko Hike 35 suits the day-hike profile, while a 2400 Windrider keeps weight low if you are starting a longer Sultans Trail thru-hike, stepping up to the 3400 Windrider for multi-day loads. Pack at least 2 litres of water for the shadeless suburban stretch, sun protection, trekking poles for the forest climb, and high-calorie snacks. If you are unsure how much food to carry, see how many calories you need for a full hiking day, and for choosing the pack itself review the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the ST401 whets your appetite for Serbia's long-distance network, several neighbouring routes pair well with it. The early Sultans Trail stages in the north follow the Danube through Vojvodina before the trail reaches Belgrade, while the European long-distance paths cross the country's mountainous south. Try these related Serbian trails: ST317 Bezdan - Sombor, ST318 Sombor - Apatin, ST319 Apatin - Bogojevo, E4: Jalovik izvor – Gradina, and E7-12a: Бријач – Увац – Сопотница.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the ST401 Belgrade - Avala?
May is the single best month, with comfortable highs around 22–24 °C, a fully leafed forest and dry trail surfaces. September and early October are a strong second choice for stable autumn weather. Avoid July and August, when Belgrade highs regularly top 32 °C and the exposed suburban sections offer almost no shade.

How difficult is the ST401 Belgrade - Avala?
It is rated expert, not for steep terrain but for its length, navigation demands and mixed surfaces. The route covers roughly 22 km with about 450 m of cumulative gain, threading busy urban edges before a forested climb to the 511 m summit of Mount Avala. Good stamina and GPS navigation make the difference more than technical skill.

How long is the stage and how much do I walk per day?
The ST401 is approximately 22 km and is designed to be completed in a single day, taking most hikers 6–8 hours including breaks. Thru-hikers on the wider Sultans Trail typically average 20–25 km per day across Serbia, so this stage sits squarely within a normal daily distance for the route.

Where can I sleep along the ST401 Belgrade - Avala?
Most hikers base in Belgrade, where hostel dorms cost €12–22 and mid-range hotels €45–80 per double. There is no trail hut, but small guesthouses near the Avala summit run €50–70. Wild camping is not permitted inside the protected Avala forest, so plan a city base or a private room in Pinosava village.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is required and access to the Avala forest and summit is free. The only optional charge is a small fee of a few euros for the lift to the Avala Tower observation deck. Always check the Sultans Trail Foundation site for current GPX tracks and any temporary reroutes before you start.