Hiking in Bosnia for beginners
Bosnia hiking for beginners is an adventure like no other. With its beautiful mountains, forests and lakes, Bosnia offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. In this post, I will help you discover the beauty of my home country and give you some tips for your hiking adventure.
Hiking trails for beginners in Bosnia
Bijambare
Bijambare is a protected area located at an average altitude of 950 meters and covered by dense evergreen forests. There are also several beautiful meadows crossed by two streams, creating some small, very pretty lakes. The nature there is beautiful. It is close to Sarajevo and is family friendly. It is about 40 km from Sarajevo. If you are coming by car, you need to take the M18 from Sarajevo to Tuzla and turn off at the junction in Krivajevići. There you will see the main entrance and the parking lot.
The entrance tickets are very cheap. Adults pay about 3 euros for the entrance, and if you want a guide, it costs about 50 euros for an hour. Bijambare offers its visitors hiking and cycling trails, the opportunity to rent bicycles, explore the incredibly beautiful nature on a tourist train and rest and refresh yourself in the cozy mountain hut.
This area has a great biodiversity. There are a total of 133 different communities with over 800 species of higher plants. There are numerous representatives of fauna - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, insects and other lower animal groups. However, Bijambare is best known for its caves. There are 8 caves in the Bijambare area. Among these caves, only the Middle Bijambare Cave is developed, illuminated and accessible to visitors. It is about 500 meters long and consists of four halls that can be visited along a paved path.
Here is the linkwhere you can find all the information about this beautiful part of my country. Also all the services and prices are listed there. This hiking trail is ideal for Bosnia hiking for beginners as it is an easy walk through beautiful terrain.
Skakavac Waterfall
This waterfall is a natural attraction and one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is 98 meters high and surrounded by beautiful scenery, which is especially impressive in spring and summer when nature awakens and everything turns green. It offers excellent conditions for hiking, mountain biking and various types of extreme sports.
It has been under state protection as a natural monument since 1954. It is exceptional in many ways and is one of the most attractive tourist attractions near Sarajevo. For visitors in good physical shape, the trip from Sarajevo to Skakavac Waterfall is considered a half-day tour, while others may need a little more time.
You can reach Skakavac by car from the city center, heading towards the “Juan Antonio Samaranch” hall (ZETRA) and then continuing to Nahorevo settlement. It is possible to drive to the entrance gate, from where it is about 1 km walk to the waterfall. Note that the number of parking spaces is limited.
If you decide to go alone, here is a Link to websitewhich describes the tour and provides details and guidelines for detours. However, if you feel you need an experienced guide, you can find here the link to a websitewhere you can find your guide and check prices.
There is also a picnic area near the waterfall that can accommodate a large number of visitors. From several vantage points, called viewpoints, one can see the waterfall from a distance, and the base of Skakavac can only be reached on foot via a forest path with handrails, making it ideal for Bosnia hiking for beginners.
Some recommendations for this route include bringing a backpack, hiking boots (or sneakers with thick soles), thick socks, hiking poles, layered clothing, a windbreaker, and rain gear (raincoat).
For this route, footwear is most important. You don't need to have hiking boots; sneakers with thick soles are sufficient. If you are unsure about the appropriateness of the footwear you plan to wear (not tested), bring a spare pair of shoes and extra (thick) socks. It is also important to bring spare outerwear in case you sweat to avoid catching a cold.
Bosnia Hiking for Beginners on Trebević
The hiking trails on Trebević are not technically demanding, which makes them attractive to many recreational athletes and beginners. However, thanks to the beautiful natural landscapes, these trails are also often chosen by experienced hikers. On this website you will find everything about this hiking trail and tips for a nice hike.
A walk from the cable car arrival station can take you in several directions along roads or marked hiking trails, each offering different attractions.
Brus can be your ideal starting and ending point for exploring Trebević, with ample parking, a well-maintained picnic area and several restaurants. The sports and recreation center in Brus includes children's playgrounds, lake walking balls, paintball fields, basketball, volleyball and small football pitches. Mountain bikes and quads are available for rent, and there is a rich gastronomic selection, a small zoo and barbecue areas. If you want to learn more about this beautiful part of Bosnia, read one of my previous posts about this mountain.
From here you can make a 500-meter, two-hour climb to Trebević peak (1,629 m) along a well-marked trail through spruce and pine forests, enjoying views of Romanija and Bukovik.
At the summit, a breathtaking panorama of Sarajevo, nearby towns and villages, and impressive mountain ranges awaits you. This area is both conveniently close and refreshingly far from the hustle and bustle of Sarajevo, making it ideal for Bosnia hiking for beginners.
If you drive to Trebević via Vraca or Širokača, you will reach Sunnyland, an amusement park for children and adults, whose main attraction is an adrenaline coaster on a slope overlooking Sarajevo.
In addition, Trebević has the protected Via Ferrata Bijela Stijena, a climbing wall that poses a challenge for mountaineers and offers spectacular views of Sarajevo.
The bivouac "Zoran Šimić"
This cute structure is located on Visočica Hill and has been included in the prestigious list of the world's most beautiful architectural achievements in the category of small, remote structures, selected by the architecture magazine DesignBoom.
Serving as a shelter for hikers and offering impressive views of the landscape, it is the first of its kind on the mountain, which has recently become more accessible thanks to the expansion of road infrastructure.
Filter Architecture designed the Zoran Šimić bivouac on the edge of the Rakitnica canyon, which stretches between Visočica and Bjelašnica. You can reach the bivouac on Visočica via the asphalt road from Sarajevo through Bjelašnica, the villages of Šabići and Sinanovići. Before the Stećci necropolis in Poljice on Visočica, a marked path to the bivouac begins on the right, indicated by a pile of stones at the starting point.
The hike is easy, about 3.5 km one way, making it ideal for Bosnia hiking for beginners. The bivouac itself is at an altitude of about 1800 meters.
Here is the link to the description of this route on Via Dinarica. If you do not feel confident, here is the link to a website that offers the complete organization of your hiking tours. You can choose from the tours offered or request a tour of your choice and receive an offer.
Bosnia Hiking for beginners near Lukomir
The village belongs to the municipality of Konjic and can be reached from two directions - Konjic and Sarajevo. Lukomir is like a living ethnographic museum, where the traditional way of life of the Dinaric Highlanders is preserved along with the practices of nomadic tribes.
It is an important part of the historical, cultural, architectural and environmental heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In my previous post about villages in Bosnia you can find more information about Lukomir and Umoljani.
It is about 30 kilometers from Konjic and 45 kilometers from Sarajevo. The journey from the center of Sarajevo to Lukomir via the route that leads through Babin Do on Bjelašnica takes about an hour and a half.
Most of the road is paved, but the last 11 kilometers are a winding gravel road that leads first through barren karst landscapes and then through flower-filled meadows. You can also reach the village on foot via two hiking trails that start in the village of Umoljani on Bjelašnica. You can also find this tour on Planinarenje.ba.
Bosnia Hiking for beginners through the Una National Park
There are fantastic cycling routes, walking trails and hiking trails in Una National Park. There are several designated hiking trails, the most popular of which is the Medicinal Herbs Trail. There is something for everyone, whether you are looking for Bosnia hiking for beginners or more difficult and challenging trails.
Interpretive signs describing the local flora and fauna add a new dimension to your route. Before you begin your adventure, knowledgeable staff can offer advice on where to start and provide you with a map of designated walking and cycling trails.
On the website Via Dinarica you will find a description of the Una National Park Trail, which leads through remote landscapes of the northern zone of the park and takes you to the Štrbački buk waterfalls. They describe it as moderately difficult, so you have to decide for yourself if you want to make this trip.
Here is the link to the Una National Park website, where you will find a lot of useful information, prices and tips. They also provide a phone number and email address so you can contact them if you have any questions or need recommendations for beginner trails.
Tips for beginners when hiking in Bosnia
Important equipment
Before hitting the trails, make sure you have the necessary equipment to ensure a comfortable and safe trip. Buy a good pair of hiking boots to protect your feet on rocky terrain.
You should also have a lightweight backpack filled with supplies such as a first aid kit, water, snacks, a map, and a GPS device. Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions and always carry a waterproof jacket.
Respect nature and culture
Remember to walk carefully and leave no trace as you hike through Bosnia's stunning landscapes. Respect the plants and animals and stay on the marked trails to minimize your impact on the ecosystem.
Learn more about the local customs and traditions to further appreciate Bosnia's rich cultural heritage. As you learn more about and respect my country, you will be able to explore more trails for Bosnia hiking for beginners.
safety first
Although hiking in Bosnia is incredibly beautiful, you should put safety first on any adventure. Inform someone about your plan and estimated return time before you set off, and familiarize yourself with the trail conditions and weather forecast. Also, it would not be a bad option to go with a
Guides. In the text above I have given you several websites where you can find a guide and get information about the route. Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and pay attention to your body's signals. Don't be afraid to turn back or ask for help from more experienced hikers or local authorities if you have doubts about a particular path or encounter unexpected difficulties.
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