Landlocked in Central Europe, Serbia does not offer the breathtaking landscapes of some of its neighbours. Nevertheless, it does share with them several considerable mountain ranges, such as the Dinarc Alps, the Rhodope mountains, the Carpathians, and the Balkan range. In the north of Serbia is the Panonian Basin, relatively flat with some interesting wetlands. The southern part of the country is the most mountainous. Remote valleys and dense forests abound, hiding Orthodox monasteries and isolated villages.

Serbia has five National Parks, and more than thirty nature reserves and protected landscapes, many of which have marked hiking trails. The majority are day hikes. Marked long distance hiking trails are set out in the northern Fruska Gora National Park, which borders on the Danube river. Another hiking option is Stara Planina in the east, harbouring the spectacular Midzor peak (2169m) which, on a clear day, offers views all the way into Bulgaria, Macedonia and Kosovo. For a more pastoral experience try the eastern Homolje range. The roughest mountains and trails are in the west of Serbia, in Kopaonik and Tara for instance.

The northern basin gets very hot and humid in summer. In the mountainous areas in the southwest summer and autumn are also hot but dry, with more influences from the Mediterranean. Winter brings lots of snow at inland higher elevations, lasting well into spring. Best time for hiking are spring in the northern basin, and summer and autumn up in the mountains. There are mountain huts on or near the most popular mountains, and in some national parks, but it may be wise to bring a tent.