Zaskovci: Nature Park, Waterfalls and Trails

Nature and distinctive landscapes around Zaskovci

Zaskovci lies in a landscape shaped by Stara Planina Nature Park. The nature park covers the entire cadastral municipality of Zaskovci. The Sveti Nikola-Jabučko ravnište-Srebrna glava protected area is also of interest when planning a trip: protection regime II applies there across an area of 12,235 hectares, and the cadastral municipality of Zaskovci is also part of this area.

One of the area’s distinctive landscape features is Gavran kamen, northeast of Zaskovci. The rocky ridge reaches 1,090 metres and adds to the character of a mountain region where observing nature and experiencing the trails are central attractions. A plateau near the village cemetery offers a different view of the surroundings. From there, you can see the northern part of the village and the valley of the Terzijska reka.

Waterfalls and trails as a travel experience

The Zaskovački waterfalls form a complex of four waterfalls in the cadastral area of Zaskovci, in the municipality of Pirot. Three of the four waterfalls are located on the Terzijska reka and are known as Skok. If you would like to include this natural attraction in your travel plans, you can reach the trail from the village centre by heading towards Jabučko ravnište; the waterfalls are about 4.5 kilometres from the village centre.

Access to the village itself is also an important consideration when planning. The route to Zaskovci follows the right bank of the Zaskovačka reka along its entire length. From the turn-off from the paved road to the entrance to the village, the walk takes a little over half an hour. The unpaved road from the bridge to Zaskovci can only be travelled by off-road vehicles or vehicles with greater ground clearance. Check these conditions before deciding how to travel and where to stay in a holiday apartment.

The HIGHLANDER Stara Planina route also passes through Zaskovci. This places the village within a travel experience involving longer trails, mountain landscapes and changing natural scenery. You should choose the specific trail sections according to your planned daily itinerary.

Culture and finding accommodation

In addition to its natural features, Zaskovci also has a cultural distinction: the intangible cultural heritage element “Pirot-style storytelling” is associated with the village. Together with the waterfalls, the views of the valley and its location in the nature park, this creates a destination that combines natural and cultural interests.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Zaskovci, you can therefore first decide which aspect matters most for your trip: proximity to the trails and landscape features, travelling via the unpaved section, or combining experiences in nature with cultural discovery. Information about the condition of the roads and the distances mentioned above is just as relevant to choosing a location as the question of which excursions you actually want to include in your plans.

For further orientation, you can also view Dimitrovgrad, Izvor, Vrandol and Pirot.

For the broader travel overview: Pirot District.