Ledinci Lake (Ledinačko jezero) is an accident. Above the village of Stari Ledinci a quarry called Srebro cut trachyte from the hillside; when pumping stopped around 1999, springs and rain filled the pit, and a deep blue-green lake appeared between raw rock walls. It quickly became a favourite of hikers and photographers.
Its story has not been simple: the lake was drained in 2009 when quarrying briefly resumed, and it has slowly refilled since. The water level varies from year to year, so manage expectations — but the setting is striking in any state. Nearby Popovica is the best-known trailhead on the Novi Sad side of the mountain.
Top things to do: Ledinci Lake & Popovica
Walk to the lake
From Stari Ledinci a track climbs gently up the valley to the quarry in about 30–40 minutes. Paths lead to viewpoints above the water; keep back from the edges, which are loose and unfenced.
Hike from Popovica
Popovica, above Sremska Kamenica, has a mountain hut, a small lake and a web of marked loops through the forest. A classic half-day circuit links Popovica with Ledinci Lake and returns along the ridge.
Run or walk the Fruška Gora Marathon
Every spring since 1978 — usually on a weekend in late April or May — the Fruškogorski maraton starts from Popovica. It is a mass hiking and trail-running event with more than a dozen routes, from family walks of a few kilometres to ultra distances of over 100 km, and it draws well over ten thousand participants.
Cycle the forest roads
Gravel roads and single-track around Popovica and Ledinci are the home ground of Novi Sad’s mountain bikers. Routes are not always signed for bikes, so use a GPS track.
How to get to Ledinci Lake & Popovica
- By car: about 15 km from Novi Sad via Sremska Kamenica to Stari Ledinci; park in the village and walk. Popovica is 10 km from the city.
- By bus: city and suburban buses run from Novi Sad to Ledinci and to Popovica (more often at weekends in season). Check JGSP timetables.
- On foot: the lake and Popovica are about 5 km apart by marked trail.
Insider tips
- Swimming is officially not permitted: the water is deep and cold, the banks are steep and there is no lifeguard.
- After rain the track is muddy; in summer there is little shade at the quarry itself.
- Take all rubbish back with you — bins are scarce.
- If you want to join the marathon, register in advance on the organisers’ site; start-day queues are long.
