The first Via Normale Picnic Area opens on Fruška Gora – A new oasis for families and nature lovers

Through the collective contributions of Via Normale app users, the first goal has been achieved — a unique space for relaxation, play, and spending time in nature has been built.

At one of the most visited locations in Fruška Gora National Park — on Iriški Venac, near the Freedom Monument — the first Via Normale Picnic Area has been opened. This new space is designed for everyone who wants to spend quality time outdoors, whether seeking relaxation, inspiration, or open-air activities.

The picnic area marks the achievement of the first collective goal of Via Normale app users, who collected points by recording their outdoor activities and, in doing so, contributed to the creation of new recreational areas. The project was made possible through the collaboration of A1 Serbia, Fruška Gora National Park, and Eko Teretana.

Via Normale is a free app created to motivate and empower individuals and families to spend more time outdoors — with simple access to reliable information. It helps users easily discover verified walking, hiking, and cycling trails, picnic spots, and other natural attractions, whether planning a short trip or an active holiday. The app’s name comes from the mountaineering term via normale, which describes the easiest and most accessible route to the summit, without the need for special equipment. In this spirit, the app provides detailed route descriptions, equipment recommendations, navigation, and nearby parking options. It currently covers some of Serbia’s most popular destinations: Avala, Kosmaj, Fruška Gora, Divčibare, Zlatibor, and Kopaonik.

Through a system of point collection and shared goals, Via Normale encourages users to contribute to the preservation and improvement of natural spaces. The first picnic area on Fruška Gora is a direct result of this shared effort — a concrete example of how steps taken in nature can bring new value to the community. Covering an area of around 400 square meters, the space includes carefully designed features tailored to children of different ages and interests: motor skills courses, educational boards on nature and ecology, interactive games involving parents, and benches for rest and enjoyment.

Unlike classic playgrounds, this space combines fun, education, and interaction to support children’s holistic development while encouraging families to spend more time together outdoors. What makes this zone even more special is the fact that it was entirely designed and built in Serbia, from concept and design to the production of equipment. All elements are handcrafted from recycled wood, partly collected during river clean-up campaigns.

The picnic area is a donation from A1 Serbia to Fruška Gora National Park, with Eko Teretana designing the features and carrying out the installation. The opening was celebrated with a community picnic organised by Piknik, where visitors enjoyed the new space for the very first time.

With this initiative, A1 Serbia continues its mission, launched through the #BoljiOnline platform, to promote the responsible and meaningful use of digital technologies in everyday life.

The Via Normale app is completely free to download on Google Play and the App Store, and is designed for everyone — from beginners to experienced hikers.