Bjelasnica & Visocica Caravan Route (2days)

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This two-day adventure will bring you deep into nature and provide you with countless views of the beautiful Bjelasnica & Visocica Highlands including descent into Rakitnica Canyon.
 

DEPARTURE DATES


  • April 06 - 07, 2024  
  • April 20 - 21, 2024
  • May 02 - 03, 2024
  • May 25 - 26, 2024 
  • June 15 - 16, 2024
  • July 06 - 07, 2024
  • July 16 - 17, 2024 
  • July 27 - 28, 2024
  • August 10 - 11, 2024
  • August 31 - September 01, 2024 
  • September 14 - 15, 2024 
  • September 28 - 29, 2024 
Category
Hiking
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lukomir Highland Village 
  • Descent to Rakitnica, the least explored canyon in this part of Europe
  • Vito (1,960m) summit and scenic Visocica mountain ridge walk

Day 1:

Full-day walk in the Bjelasnica (home of the 1984 winter Olympics) & Visocica mountains, visiting Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest village (1469m) and descent of Rakitnica, the last explored canyon in this part of Europe. 

From the traditional style Bosnian Mosque in the village of Umoljani, we'll walk to the Gradina, a summer village. Chances are that we will see many villagers around and about collecting their summer harvest. Unlike Umoljani, the village was not destroyed during the war and still has some excellent examples of traditional Bjelasnica summer village architecture. From Gradina, we will pass meanders of Studeni Potok, where at certain times of the year, the stream falls 400 meters into the Rakitnica canyon below.

At the edge of the canyon will start hiking along Obalj's side in direction of the 40-meter Peruca Waterfall. All along, you will be treated by sweet and cool breezes coming off of Visocica and Treskavica. En route, we'll find quite a few sources where we can drink our fill. After some 3 hours, we will reach Lukomir village.

Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469 meters, with its ancient stecci (medieval tombstones) where villagers stick to the "old way" of doing things. Traditional dress, the occasional turban, and fez are still worn and go hand in hand with the more contemporary bliss of everyday life, electricity and running water. On the edge of the village, you will be treated by a rare view of Rakitnica, Obalj, and Visocica. You have arrived at the end of the world. Here we will have a homemade "pita" (pie) lunch, a pastry filled with cheese or potato.

From the Lukomir village, we descend down the canyon to the Rakitnica river bed. We follow this on the old shepherd's path to the suspension bridge. The "most challenging" part of today's hike will be the ascent, down from the bottom of the canyon to the Bobovica village. On the opposite bank of the river, once we reach the village, we continue via extensive green meadows - always with the imposing Visocica mountain range in view - to Mountain Hut Vrela.

Lunch, Dinner/ Mountain Hut Vrela

Day 2

The ridge of Vito peak (1,960m), our highest point of today’s hike, is visible in the distance and creates one of the most attractive ridges in the vicinity of Sarajevo. Vito peak itself is extremely elegant with some stunning 360-degree views making the climb to the top very worthwhile. 
After some 45 minutes, we will get into the amphitheatre 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 us. As we approach the Vito summit, you'll be able to see even Lukomir on the opposite side of the canyon, from where we crossed the day before. Leaving the Vito summit behind we'll continue via the magnificent ridge which connects Vito with Drstva (1,808m), the last summit of the day, offering some unforgettable views.

From here we descend down from the ridge to the forest in the direction of the signpost, pointing out the direction of “Tusila” village. Following the direction of the arrow and entering the forest, we pass a water spring. In about 30-45 minutes we reach the road from where we return back to the Hut. In the afternoon, we will take one one-hour transfer back to Sarajevo. Approximately 5-6 hours of walking

Breakfast, Lunch

 

Fact File


Period: April through November
Category: Moderate to Challenging

Activity: Day 1: 6 - 7 hours,
                Day 2: 5 - 6 hours

Departure time: 9:00 AM
Estimated Time of Return: 6:00 PM
 

What is included: Transport from Sarajevo to location and back, accommodation in Mountain Hut Vrela, coffee or tea, breakfast(1x), lunch(2x), dinner(1x) and snacks, one fully-equipped and experienced guide.

What is not included: Optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; souvenirs and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, etc.).

What to bring: Hiking boots recommended/Sturdy walking shoes, flashlight, sunglasses, sun cream, 1,5 liter of water, personal hygiene kit, fleece/jumper, rain gear, towel, change of clothes (e.g. dry socks, T-shirt& underwear, trousers), 30 to 40 liter backpack.