Knjaževac lies in eastern Serbia, in the valley of the Trgoviški Timok, with the high wall of Stara Planina to the south and the lower hills of the Timok region to the north. The town is small, with about twenty-five thousand people counting the wider municipality, and its character is somewhat sleepy, with a central square, neat parks and a river that runs through the middle. It was called Gurgusovac in the nineteenth century, and the surrounding area still has some of the character of the old borderland.
The town is the northern gateway to Stara Planina Nature Park, and the mountain is the main reason people visit. At the top, the highest point, Midžor, reaches over 2,100 metres and is the highest summit in Serbia's east. The park holds beech forests, high pastures, deep valleys and a mountain climate with cold winters and heavy snow, and the mountain is a favourite among hikers and, in winter, skiers around Babin Zub. Local food reflects the highlands, with sheep's cheese, smoked meat and strong rakija all easy to find.
On a bike, Knjaževac is a useful starting point for a mountain loop. The road toward Stara Planina climbs gradually into the forest, with long, rolling bends and little traffic, and higher up it opens into pastures with views toward Bulgaria. The surface varies, with some good asphalt and some rough patches. There is also the Bulgarian border not far away, and if you plan to cross, check which crossings are open to private vehicles and what documents you need. Spring brings green slopes and a lot of water in the streams, while summer is pleasant at height but can be hot in the valley. By late autumn, frost and early snow begin to close the upper roads.
Knjaževac has fuel stations, shops, cafés and basic services, which makes it a reasonable place to fill the tank and have lunch before climbing. In the town centre, small places serve grilled meat and local cheese, and the people are friendly. Enjoy the unhurried atmosphere, because once you leave for the high mountain roads, you will be in a much quieter and wilder landscape.