Via Dinarica Bosnia - Bjelasnica mountain (4days)

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From EUR 450

This is a great hike in the hinterlands of Bjelasnica, part of the Via Dinarica white line, covering traditional villages, old water mills, stunning views of canyon Rakitnica and waterfalls.


DEPARTURE DATES


  • April 24 - 27, 2025 
  • May 29 - June 01, 2025
  • June 26 - 29, 2025 
  • August 07 - 10, 2025
  • August 28 - 31, 2025 
Category
Hiking

From EUR 450

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hranisava peak (1,964m) & traditional shepherd summer settlements 
  • Lukomir Highland village - highest populated place in Bosnia
  • Descent into Rakitnica canyon, the least explored area of Southeastern Europe
  • The ascent of Vito summit (1,960m) and scenic ridge walk

Day 1:

Today we’ll be trekking to Bjelasnica Mountain. We’ll hike up the opposite side of the Olympic Ski Slopes, much less traversed by hikers and nature lovers alike. The hike will take us through a pine and beech wood forest up to the Gate of Wind where you will be either gently and pleasantly greeted by the warm Bjelasnica breeze or it is rugged ever piercing south wind. From here we traverse up to a small Sheppard’s hut (at 1,620 meters). The hut is a bit more than 45 minutes from where we were dropped off. We’ll have lunch and enjoy the flowing hills and bare peaks of the southeast side of Bjelasnica.
At this point, we will start our steep 1-hour climb to the top of Hranisava (1,964 meters). Hranisava’s slope is rather steep in some places but offers lovely views of Central Bosnia and Herzegovina and their peaks, Trebevic, Treskavica, Visocica, Velez, Prenj, Cvrsnica and Vranica, almost all main mountains in the Central Dinaric Alps chain. In short, what a view you will get. From the top we’ll continue hiking down to Krosnje (1,660 meters), a remaining traditional summer settlement for Sheppard’s coming from as far away as Capljina in Herzegovina. Krosnje which is at the foot of Krvavac the magnificent peak partially surrounded by 2 to 4-meter high pine brush “Kleka”. Krvavac is rough and demands respect from man and animal alike. Locals say that it is the place where wolves and bears descend over winter. After a brief rest in this truly mystical place, we head back via a cool source back to our cosy mountain hut where we stay for a night. Approximately 5-6 hours walking

​​​​​​Accommodation: Mountain Hut, Stanari 
Meals: L, D

Day 2:

After breakfast, we start today's trek over Bjelasnica ridge, toward Ljeljen peaks (1,938m) and Greda pass to our final goal today, Lukomir village.
In the early morning hours, we depart Stanari and make our way towards the interior of Bjelasnica. Along the way, we 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, we begin our gradual climb to Greda, a beautiful pass in between Krvavac (Bjelasnica’s second-highest peak 2,062 m.) and Debela Brda (1,987m). Here we are treated to today’s prize, views of Bjelasnica’s highest peaks, Treskavica, Visocica, Zelengora, Jahorina mountains…
While walking through soft mountain grass we wind our way down to Grkarica source a true lifesaver in the warm months of summer. Leaving the source behind we again begin to walk through the long valley, surprised after hours of empty mountainous terrain by arriving at ours today’s final destination, Lukomir village.

Lukomir is Bosnia’s highest village at 1,469m, with its ancient stecci (medieval tombstones) where villagers still follow a traditional shepherd way of life. On the edge of the village, there is a fabulous view of Rakitnica canyon, Obalj, and Visocica. On the edge of the village, you will be treated with a rare view of Rakitnica, Obalj, and Visocica. You have arrived at the end of the world. Approximately 5-6 hours walking

Accommodation: Pension "Ljetna Basta", Lukomir village 
Meals: B, L, D

Day 3:

After a tasty homemade breakfast, we 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 we 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, the “Indiana Jones” style and ascent to the opposite side to Bobovica village. From here we will follow the meadows and green pastures of Visocica mountain to the Vrela Hut, our “base” for tonight. Approximately 4-5 hours walking

Accommodation: Mountain Hut Vrela, Tusila village 
Meals: B, L, D

Day 4:

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 the mountain slopes, which are constantly opening the new sights in front of us. As we approach 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 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 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 hour transfer back to Sarajevo. Approximately 5-6 hours of walking 

Meals: B, L

Fact File


Period: May through November
Category: Moderate to Challenging

Activity: Day 1: 5 - 6 hours,
                Day 2: 5 - 6 hours
                Day 3: 4 - 5 hours
                Day 4: 5 - 6 hours

Departure time: 09:00 AM
Estimated Time of Return: 7:00 PM

What is included: Transport from Sarajevo to location and back, accommodation in Mountain Hut/Pension, coffee or tea, breakfast (3x), lunch(4x), dinner(3x) 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, pocket knife, 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.