The only location in this part of Europe proclaimed the 1st Category Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO, for its exceptionally pure and intact nature it is also included in the World Natural Heritage.

In July 2001, the Government of the Republic of Serbia brought a Decree which places the area of the Golija Mountain under protection as the “GOLIJA NATURE PARK” and classifies it in the 1st category of protection as a natural property of exceptional importance.

Golija was most probably named for its size – “golema” (large, huge). Huge areas of thick woods and pastures and sharp climate are reasons that locals often say “Golija doesn’t know what a true hero is”. It is very hard to cross the mountain without a terrain vehicle therefore it is rare to run into mountaineers here. The highest point of the mountain is a leveled peak Jankov Kamen (“Janko’s rock”) 1833m high, where from literally half of Serbia can be seen.

Due to impermeable geologic base and the abundance of precipitation, the mountain is rich in water. Summers are cool and winters are cold with a lot of snow, which stays here for long. Some glacial phenomena and remains from the Ice Age have also been recorded on the Golija Mountain. Certain plant species with endemic features (the Mountain Maple) have been proved to be as such thousands years ago and in spite of the Ice Age they have managed to survive.

Having in mind all the characteristics of the Golija location, it is completely clear that this mountain is the most promising for the production of healthy food, as well as for development of ski and mountain tourism in general.