Mount Goč and the ski slope near Vrnjačka Banja

Getting there

Two main roads lead up Goč: from Vrnjačka Banja via Stanišinci, and from Kraljevo via Kamenica to Dobre vode. From the spa it takes about half an hour by car. The road is narrow and winding, and in winter you must check conditions before setting off — snow chains and winter tyres are not a formality. There is practically no public transport up the mountain, so a car or an organised trip is the reliable option.

Summer on Goč

In summer Goč is a few degrees cooler than the spa, which makes it a favourite escape from the heat. Forest paths suit walking and easy hiking, and along the way you can pick wild strawberries, blueberries and herbs. There is also an artificial lake; swimming is not allowed, but a walk around it is a proper rest. Hosts on Goč sell cheese, kajmak and rakija — bring cash.

A managed hunting ground on Goč draws hunters, and the mountain is traditionally used for sports training camps too. We cover the pitches and recreation options on our page about sport in Vrnjačka Banja.

The ski slope at Dobre vode

The ski area is at Dobre vode, about 11 km from the centre of the spa. It has a gently sloping beginners' run and a steeper lower section for recreational skiers, and the bottom station is at about 990 m above sea level. The Goč–Dobre vode two-seater chairlift, installed in 2004, carries around 1,000 skiers an hour. In good seasons there is a ski school, equipment can be hired on site, and there has also been night skiing.

Goč or Kopaonik?

Goč is not Kopaonik and doesn't try to be: the runs are short and the season depends on snow. But for families with children just learning, for sledging and for a day in the snow during a stay at the spa, it is ideal — close, uncrowded and many times cheaper. If snow has fallen in the spa as well, our page on the climate and weather in Vrnjačka Banja helps you judge how long it is likely to last.

Combine Goč with other trips

Because Goč also descends towards Kraljevo, it is easy to pair with a visit to Žiča Monastery on the same day. More ideas, with driving times, are in our guide to day trips from Vrnjačka Banja.