Overview
Hiking the Via Dinarica in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is an eight day, guided small group tour, starting in Skradin, a Croatian town on the banks of the River Krka, and finishing in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. You get a good idea of the otherworldliness of it all from day one, hiking along Krupa Canyon, just a warm up for the two summits to follow over the next few days: Mount Badanj (1,281m) and Mount Sinjal (1,831m). Bosnia-Herzegovina offers its own highlights, including cultural ones like Mostar and Lukomir, Bosnia’s highest village at 1,469m. This is a full board tour, staying in both hotels and remote mountain huts on several nights, where you feel fully immersed in these wild landscapes. Maximum group size is 15 people.
- Dinaric Alps
- Mount Badanj (1,281m)
- Mount Sinjal (1,831m)
- Mount Vilinac (2,118m)
- Hajdučka Vrata
- Mostar
- Sarajevo
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Split/Skradin
Arrival at Saint Jerome Airport in Split where you are met and and transferred to the small town of Skradin, on the banks of the Krka River. Dinner at the hotel where you get to know your group and guide.
- Accommodation: Hotel Skradinski Buk or similar in Skradin, Croatia
- Included meals: dinner
Day 2: Krupa River Canyon | 9km
You are transferred to the Krupa River, where you start a hike from the village of Ravni Golubic into the scenic river canyon. Highlights along the way include Kudin Most, a 109m stone bridge across the Krupa. This is followed by picnic lunch and, if you like, a refreshing swim in the river. Hike back to Ravni Golubic on a different trail before your transfer back to Skradin. Dinner is at the hotel.
- Walking for the day: 3-4h, 9km, ↑300m
- Accommodation: Hotel Skradinski Buk or similar in Skradin, Croatia
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Mount Badanj and Brezovac mountain hut | 8km
You are transferred to the village of Guge, the starting point of a two day hiking adventure. The village is located below Mount Badanj (1,281m), one of the highest in the Dinaric Alps. The ascent of Mount Badanj (1,281m) takes place In the afternoon, bringing you to Brezovac mountain hut, where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 8km, ↑550m
- Accommodation: Brezovac mountain hut on Mount Badanj, Croatia
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Please note: as your accommodation is in a remote mountain hut tonight, you need to carry everything you need for the day’s hike and also your overnight stay on today’s trek.
Day 4: Mount Sinjal/ Mostar | 14km
The day starts with an ascent to the highest peak of Croatia – Mount Sinjal (or Dinara, 1,831m). The first part of the ascent follows an old military gravel road, then a more rocky steep path to the top. You are rewarded with views over Peruća Lake, Mount Troglav, on the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the mountains of the Šibenik and Knin region. Descend towards the village of Glavaš walking across plateaus and pastures, to meet your driver who transfers you to Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 6-7h, 14km, ↑800m
- Accommodation: Hotel Almira in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Diva Grabovica Valley | 8km
Start with a short drive (45mins) to Diva Grabovica in the Cvrsnica Mountains, where the walk starts. Hike through rich forests of beech to the Zljeb viewpoint. Where a lunch stop is planned. In the afternoon, descend to the valley before transferring (2 hours) to your mountain accommodation in Umoljani. You are now in the Bjelasnica Mountains, which is the base for the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 8km, ↑700m
- Accommodation: Pension Umoljani on Mount Visočica, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Highland villages of Umoljani and Lukomir | 16km
Today’s hike is a full day walk on Bjelašnica Massif, famous for hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics. Starting from the village of Umoljani, walk to the seven water mills and water source that has been used for centuries for milling. Follow the ridge as far as reach Studeni Potok waterfalls and the long, flat valley known as Studeni Fields. Continue on to Lukomir, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s highest village at 1,469m, known for the ancient stećci (medieval tombstones) as well traditional rural lifestyles. It’s also a great place to take in some final views of the mountains. Continue on through more traditional highland villages, with a final descent to Umoljani.
- Walking for the day: 6-7h, 16km, ↑350m
- Accommodation: Pension Umoljani on Mount Visočica, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Vito Summit | 11km
A short transfer (15mins) takes you to the start of the walk. Hike up through open meadows and beech forest until the summit of Vito (1,960m), taking time to enjoy the view and have lunch at the summit. In the afternoon, descend back to the start of the trail where you are met and transferred to Sarajevo, for a final group dinner.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h, 11km, ↑800m
- Accommodation: Hotel Kandilj in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Departure
Depending on your departure time, take time to enjoy the great capital city before being transferred to Sarajevo Airport.
- Included meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Most accommodations on this tour are small family-run hotels with en-suite facilities. One night is spent in huts in mixed-gender dorm rooms with shared facilities (no need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets) and one night in a hut in twin/triple rooms and shared facilities. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel Skradinski Buk (Skradin, Croatia)
- Brezovac mountain hut (Dinara Mountain, Croatia)
- Hotel Almira (Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Pension Umoljani (Mount Visočica, Bosnia-Herzegovina)
- Pension Kandilj (Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
The tour package is full board including seven breakfasts, six lunches (mostly picnics), and seven dinners (as listed in the itinerary).
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and therefore you need be in good physical shape and be able to walk for 6-7h per day. The maximum walking distance is 16km, and daily elevations up to 800m (read more about difficulty grades). This is a guided tour, so you will be supported by a local qualified mountain guide. You can also call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
Departures for this small group tour are available in May, June, August and September. Please click the Dates and Prices button to view exact dates. The minimum group size to guarantee the departure is four participants. Maximum group size is 15 people.
During the hiking season, the weather is normally pleasant and sunny. More rain is expected at the beginning and the end of the season, and it gets warmer during July and August with temperatures of around 25C. However, short cold snaps and even snow during the summer are not unusual in the Dinaric Alps. For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Croatia.
Getting there
View country info and up-to-date travel advice, here for Croatia, and here for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Click to view travel options
Recommended arrival airport for this tour is Saint Jerome Airport in Split (SPU) and the recommended departure airport is Sarajevo International Airport. Group transfers to and from these airports are included in the trip.
Inclusions
Included
- Transportation during the entire trip by minivan or minibus (including airport transfers)
- English-speaking tour leader/guide
- 6 nights in twin/double rooms with ensuite facilities
- 1 night in mixed-gender dorm rooms with shared facilities at Brezovac mountain hut
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- All fees and taxes for Dinara and Blidinje Nature Parks
Excluded
- Airfare
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Tips for the tour leader and local staff
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own (not possible in the mountain huts)
- Extra nights in Split and Sarajevo
