TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike in the great limestone Dinaric Alps - undiscovered by tourists
• Ascend the highest peak of Croatia, Sinjal (1,831m)
• Visit traditional villages in Bosnia, where residents still live “the old way”
• Explore Mostar and Sarajevo, the crossroads of ancient civilizations

Day 1 Split Arrival

Arrival to Split airport and transfer to the small and pleasant town of Skradin, on the banks of river Krka. In the evening, while enjoying a drink at one of the town’s terraces, you can often feel the fresh breeze coming down from the mountains in the inner lands. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Dinner / Hotel Skradinski buk, Skradin, Croatia

Day 2 Hike at Canyon of Krupa river

Morning transfer to the area of river Krupa. Hiking from the village of Ravni Golubic into the canyon of this karstic river beauty, enjoying views to its emerald waters as well as the intense green banks of the river. We will also get a chance to admire Kudin most, a 109m long bridge made in stone, connecting the 2 banks of Krupa river.

The bridge was built at the end of the 18th century and presents a masterpiece of a stone building, as well as holds interesting legends around it – if you wish to hear more, come and hike the Via Dinarica with us!

We’ll have a picnic lunch and a possibility of a refreshing swim in Krupa river. Hike back to Ravni Golubic by a different trail and transfer back to Skradin. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Easy to Moderate walk / 3-4hrs walk / 300Δh / 9km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Hotel Skradinski buk, Skradin, Croatia

Day 3 Hike to Badanj peak (1,281m) and Brezovac mountain hut

Transfer to Guge village and Mirkovici plain, below Badanj peak. Start of our 2-day hiking adventure on Dinara. Dinara is the highest mountain in Croatia. Although it does not protrude with remarkable height – it does not exceed 2,000m, with its configuration and length represent one of the most impressive mountains in Croatia.

Today we ascend to a minor but equally interesting Badanj peak 1,281m, for some nice views of Dinara mountain and the valleys below. In the afternoon we arrive at Brezovac mountain hut, where we will spend the night enjoying the fresh air and silence of the mountain, accompanied by some local products which we will have for dinner. Overnight in multi-bed rooms, with shared toilets.

Medium to Challenging walk / 4-5hrs walk / 550Δh / 8Km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Mountain Hut Brezovac, Dinara Mountain, Croatia

Day 4 Ascent of Sinjal peak (1,831m), the highest peak of Croatia & transfer to Mostar

In the morning we start our ascent to the highest peak of Croatia - Sinjal peak (or Dinara, 1,831m). The first part of the ascent follows an old military gravel road climbing up the mountain. We then move away from the road and start ascending towards the peak on a rocky and relatively steep path. At the top, we can enjoy some beautiful views of the Perucko lake basin, Troglav mountain on the border with Bosnia and the mountains of Sibenik and Knin region.

After the peak, we start our descent towards Glavas village on the eastern slopes of Dinara mountain. On the way down we pass grassy terrain combined with rock and very little shade, which gives open views to all sides. We enjoy passing over Levurdovac pasture and Podcrvkica plateau, further down to the huge amphitheatre of Pekasova Draga valley, passing an old fort that used to guard the eastern access to Dinara mountain, in the time of Ottoman conquests.
The hike ends in Glavas village, where we are picked up by our bus and transferred to Mostar, in Bosnia & Herzegovina, where we continue with the second part of our Via Dinarica Croatia and Bosnia program. Dinner and overnight in Mostar.

Challenging walk / 6-7hrs walk / 800Δh / 14Km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Hotel Almira, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Day 5 Blidinje Nature Park and Hike to Vilinac peak (2,118 m)

We start our Bosnian part of the Via Dinarica adventure with a transfer to Blidinje Nature Park, from where we will start hiking over Čvrsnica mountain. Today’s goal is the Vilinac peak (2,118 m).
The first bit of trail takes us through beech forest and a gentle ascent. As the elevation rises we come above the tree line and the “sleepy giant”: Čvrsnica Mountain. From the top of Vilinac, we will see the surrounding peaks, a 360-degree panorama. The hut is located 15 minutes away, where we spend our first night in the mountains.

Moderate walk / 4-5hrs walk / 600Δh / 10km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Mountain Hut Vilinac, Čvrsnica mountain, Bosnia

Day 6 Hajdučka vrata Hike with a descent to Diva Grabovica valley

Sunrises are the most beautiful in the mountains, and the sunrise from Vilinac Hut is definitely one of the best in Bosnia. After breakfast, we will hike east to Drinaca peak (2,038 m) and Hajdučka vrata. Hajdučka vrata is a natural arch more than four meters wide. This natural phenomenon is very typical for carst and limestone. There are many natural arches of this kind in this area, but this one is the biggest.

From here we will start our descent, more than 1,500 m down, into the valley of Diva Grabovica. At the end of the day, we’ll be transferred to Umoljani village at Bjelasnica Mountain, for a well-deserved homemade dinner.

Challenging walk / 5-6hrs walk / 1,800Δh / 11km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Pension Umoljani, Umoljani village, Bjelasnica mountain, Bosnia

Day 7 Umoljani to Lukomir Highland Villages circular hike

Full day walk on the Bjelašnica Massif (home of the 1984 winter Olympics). We will visit Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highest village (1,469 m). From the traditional style Bosnian Mosque in the village of Umoljani, we’ll walk to the seven water mills and the beautiful source used for centuries as energy to grind wheat into flour. We hug the ridge until Rakitnica (this is the far north end while Kasići is the far south end) opens up. After 5-10 minutes, we reach the Cascades of Studeni Potok. Here we’ll have a super view of Obalj and the long flat valley of Studeni Fields. En route, we’ll find quite a few sources where we can drink our fill. From the Studeni Fields, we hike along Obalj’s side, you will be treated by sweet views and cool breezes coming off of Visočica and Treskavica.

Lukomir is Bosnia’s highest village at 1,469 meters, with its ancient stećci (medieval tombstones) and 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 rhythm of everyday life: electricity and running water. On the edge of the village, you will be treated to a rare view of Rakitnica, Obalj, and Visočica. You have arrived at the end of the world. We return via Dugo Polje, a long field flanked by Bjelašnica and Obalj. The trail is well maintained by people from the various villages around. Winding our way through Crveni Klanac we arrive at Gradina, a summer village just above Umoljani. Chances are we will see many villagers around collecting their summer harvest. From the village, we walk down to Umoljani from where we’ll be transferred to Sarajevo for our final evening of this journey.

Moderate walk / 6-7hrs walk / 350Δh / 16km
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Pension Kandilj, Sarajevo, Bosnia

Day 8 Sarajevo Departure, transfer to Sarajevo Airport

Depending on your departure time, you will have some last-minute shopping opportunities. After, you will be transferred to the Sarajevo International Airport.

Breakfast