Overview
On the Via Dinarica trail, nature meets culture in enchanting ways. It is here that one can find the last remnants of traditional European highland lifestyles, and these still-thriving highland communities prove that no matter how remote you go, you’re never terribly far from an adventure or a hot, hearty meal shared with a friendly local.
During this trip in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will enjoy fantastic, diverse landscapes each day. It also includes several cultural and historical sites such as the mysterious Stećci medieval necropolises, now listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Throughout the four-day hike, you will explore some of the most scenic peaks of Bjelasnica mountain, as well as some authentic villages, where life seems to have stood still as it was centuries ago.
This is a small group guided tour, on which you will share the experience with other passionate travellers and will be accompanied by a local guide who will give you the best insights into the places you visit. Mind that some of the overnights are in huts, in dorm rooms with shared facilities, and you will also have to carry the luggage you will need for a multi-day hiking adventure.
- Sarajevo, one of the most historical and culturally diverse Balkan cities
- Mount Hranisava (1,964m) & traditional shepherd summer settlements
- Lokvanjsko Lake & Vlahinja summit (2056 m)
- Umoljani & Gradina villages
- Obalj summit (1,896m) and Lukomir village – highest populated place in Bosnia
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Sarajevo
Arrival in Sarajevo on your own. Depending on the time of your arrival, you will have the rest of the day for exploring the cultural riches of this historical city.
- Accommodation: Pension Kandilj (Sarajevo, Bosnia)
Day 2: Into Bjelasnica Mountain | 5-6h
Today you will meet your guide and the rest of the group. A transfer will bring you to the starting point of your mountain adventure in Bjelasnica Mountain. The hike will take you through a pine and beech wood forest up to the Gate of Wind where you will be gently and pleasantly greeted by warm Bjelasnica breeze (or a loud piercing south wind). From there you will traverse up to a small shepherd’s hut (at 1,620m), where you’ll have lunch. In the afternoon, you will get on a 1-hour climb to the top of Hranisava (1,964m), it is rather steep in some places but offers lovely views of Central Bosnia and Herzegovina and its peaks. From the top you’ll continue hiking down to Krosnje (1,660m), a traditional summer settlement for shepherds coming from as far away as Capljina in Herzegovina. After a brief rest in this truly mystical place, you head back to a cosy mountain hut where you stay for the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h
- Accommodation: Mountain Hut Stanari (Bjelašnica Mountain)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Mount Ljeljen and Greda pass | 5-6h
After breakfast, you over Bjelasnica ridge, toward Mount Ljeljen (1,938m) and Greda pass. In the early morning hours, you depart Stanari and make your way toward the interior of Bjelasnica. Along the way, you can meet the occasional shepherd with his sheep grazing on the steep slopes of Bjelasnica. The view from within the valley is endless and filled with the yellow and purple flowers so characteristic of summer. After an hour and a half, you begin a gradual climb to Greda, a beautiful pass in between Krvavac (Bjelasnica’s second-highest mountain 2,062m) and Debela Brda (1,987m). You spend the night in Lukomir, which is Bosnia’s highest village at 1,469m, with its ancient stecci (medieval tombstones) where villagers still follow a traditional shepherd’s way of life.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h
- Accommodation: Pension Ljetna Basta (Lukomir village)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: The Rakitnica canyon | 7-8h
After a tasty homemade breakfast, you will start the hike with a descent into the deepest and the least explored area in this part of Europe, the Rakitnica canyon. The trail is constantly zig-zagging downhill until you reach the Rakitnica river, at the deepest part of the canyon. The long descent via old shepherd trails ends with the crossing of one of the old suspension bridges and ascent to the opposite side of Bobovica village. From here you will follow the meadows and green pastures of Visocica mountain to the Vrela Hut.
- Walking for the day: approx 4-5h
- Accommodation: Mountain Hut Vrela (Tusila village )
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Mount Vito | 7h
The ridge of Mount Vito, your highest point of today’s hike, is visible in the distance and creates one of the most attractive ridges in the vicinity of Sarajevo. After some 45 minutes, you will get into the amphitheater of Vito which was created by glaciers thousands of years ago and for the first time see the summit. From here the trail continues uphill on the mountain slopes, which are constantly opening new sights in front of you. As you approach the Vito summit, you will be able to see even Lukomir on the opposite side of the canyon, from where you crossed the day before. Leaving the Vito summit behind you continue via the magnificent ridge which connects Vito with Drstva, the last summit of the day, offering some unforgettable views. From here you descend down from the ridge to the forest in direction of the signpost, pointing out the direction of Tusila village. In about 30-45min you reach the road from where we return back to the hut. In the afternoon, you will be transfered back to Sarajevo.
- Walking for the day: approx 5-6h
- Accommodation: Pension Kandilj (Sarajevo, Bosnia)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast, or extension upon request
- Meals for the day: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
In Sarajevo, you will be accommodated in a cosy B&B (private rooms, en-suite facilities), located in the central Oriental part of the city. You will spend two nights in a mountain hut (dorm rooms, shared facilities), enjoying the natural peace and quiet. Please note that you will need a sleeping bag or sheets for the overnights at Mountain Hut Stanari (it is possible to rent one on request). In Umoljani Village, you will be accommodated in a local pension (private rooms with shared facilities). We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Show the default accommodations for this trip
- Pension Kandilj (Sarajevo, Bosnia)
- Mountain Hut Stanari (Bjelašnica Mountain)
- Mountain Hut Vrela (Tusila village )
Accommodations are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide full accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Meal plan, as listed in the itinerary: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunch packs and 3 dinners (in Sarajevo you have plenty of restaurant options).
Difficulty and terrain
We rate the difficulty of this trip as moderate, with an average walking time of 6-7h per day. Being in good shape and having some previous hiking experience is highly recommended to get the best of this trip (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
Departures for this trip are available in May, June, July, August and September; please click the Book Now button for the exact dates. The minimum group size to guarantee the departure is four participants. 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. However, short cold waves and even snow during the summer is not unusual in the Dinaric Alps.
Getting there
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By Plane
Recommended arrival/departure airport: Sarajevo
By train or bus
Inclusions
Included
- Transportation from and to Sarajevo
- English speaking local tour leader/guide
- 2 nights in twin/double rooms with ensuite facilities
- 2 nights in а mountain hut, dorm rooms with shared facilities
- 1 night in a local pension, private rooms with shared facilities
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
Excluded
- Airfare and airport transfers
- Luggage transfers
- 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
Options, extras and supplements
- If you are travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a single room (only possible in Sarajevo)
- Sleeping bag or walking poles rental (10 EUR per person, paid locally)
- Extra nights in Sarajevo
- Private airport transfers
Gallery
