Hiking in Bosnia with a dog – suitable routes
In the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, nature has formed some of the most impressive mountain peaks in the world, offering hikers unique experiences in encountering the untouched beauty of nature, and today we present you suitable hiking trails in Bosnia with dogs. These fairytale mountains are characterized by spectacular landscapes and viewpoints that amaze visitors and take their breath away. For those who are looking for challenges and unforgettable moments in a mountain landscape, we present the top ten best destinations for hiking in Bosnia with dogs.
- Visočica – The first mountain to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bjelašnica and the last real Bosnian village Lukomir
- Treskavica – the mountain of springs and lakes
- Trebević and Sarajevo – connection between city and mountain
- Zelengora – green carpet of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Čvrsnica and Hajdučka vrata – experience the wild side of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Vran – mountain you must visit in winter
- Prenj – Himalayas in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bobovac – on the paths of the medieval Bosnian Kingdom
- Vlašić – the mountain you always return to
Visočica – The first mountain to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
When we talk about the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we often think of the Olympic mountains of Bjelašnica, Igman and Jahorina, Prenj and the rugged Čvrsnica massif. However, true lovers of the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not forget Visočica, a mountain that in spring is adorned with endless flower meadows, endless fields of crocuses and playful watercourses in the form of streams and lakes.
With its ridges and peaks almost 2000 metres above sea level, it offers a real hiking experience and joy. It shows the peace it offers to brave hikers and nature lovers with dogs. There are paths and peaks for experienced hikers, but also for beginners, so it offers an opportunity for all those who seek freedom.
One of the most beautiful hiking trails on Visočica is the route “Bivak Zoran Šimić – Peak Parić – Peak Đetelaš – Peak Vito”. It leads through valleys where the mixture of stones and flowers looks like a beautiful theater piece, and over a ridge with endless views of Treskavica, Bjelašnica and Prenj. The panoramic view of the Rakitnica Canyon will give you special awe and joy of spending time on this mountain.
Bjelašnica and the last real Bosnian village Lukomir
Bjelašnica is one of the most famous mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on this mountain there are a number of mountain villages, with Lukomir being one of the most famous.
Lukomir is known for being the most remote village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and many consider it the last true Bosnian village. It is located at an altitude of 1,460 meters above sea level on the Bjelašnica. Due to its traditional architecture, rich history and long continuous settlement, Lukomir has been declared one of the longest inhabited villages in all of Europe by the Historical Architecture Society of Great Britain.
Entering the village of Lukomir is like traveling back in time. The moment you look from the Obalj peak at the roofs of Lukomir, which lie above the 800-meter-deep Rakitnica canyon, surrounded by green meadows and the outlines of the Bjelašnica, you feel like you are in a fantasy movie. Some houses in Lukomir are over 200 years old. They are traditionally built of stone, and the roofs are made of cherry wood shingles. Even today you can see these stone houses, and even the renovated houses have preserved the look of times gone by.
The village consists of about 50 houses, of which about 20 are inhabited. There is a mosque, built by the villagers in 1969 and renovated in 2014, and a cemetery. Today Lukomir lives mainly from tourism, so you can stay overnight in the village and numerous catering establishments offer refreshments to curious guests.
Take the circular route “Umoljani – Obalj – Lukomir – Studeni potok – Umoljani”, which is 16 kilometers long. It will take you about 5½ to 6 hours, but you should definitely plan a longer break in the village of Lukomir.
Treskavica – the mountain of springs and lakes
Treskavica, according to legend a mountain with 365 water springs and six lakes, is one of the most beautiful mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On no other Bosnian mountain are the differences between gentle green vegetation and rugged rock as sharp as here.
If you are coming to this mountain for the first time, the hiking trail “Turovi village – Sustavac – Veliko jezero – Crno jezero – Sustavac – Turovi village” is recommended.
It is impossible to miss the impressive contrasts of nature here.
Trebević and Sarajevo – connection between city and mountain
There are only a few capitals in the world from which you can climb a mountain with a height of 1,600 m on foot. This is precisely the advantage of Sarajevo and its residents. Trebević with the Sofa peak (1,629 meters above sea level) is the perfect choice - for a weekend as an easy tour with friends, family or dog, for beginners, recreational hikers, but also for experienced mountaineers.
Or simply when you come to Sarajevo and complete your experience by taking a new story and adventure from this city. There are many trails on Trebević and you can always choose between a shorter or longer tour.
Zelengora – green carpet of Bosnia and Herzegovina
If you want to experience love at first sight, then definitely come to the vastness of Zelengora. The meadows in all shades of green, the numerous lakes known as "mountain eyes", peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level, shepherds with their cattle and the endless blueberry fields are just some of the reasons why one should visit Zelengora.
The recommended route is Orlovačko jezero – Bregoč peak – Kozije strane peak – Orlovačko jezero. Access is possible from the municipality of Kalinovik and the village of Jelašca, and the last time I was there, the condition of the road was much better, so you can dare to drive there with a regular car. Camping at Orlovačko jezero is something you shouldn't miss.
Čvrsnica and Hajdučka vrata – experience the wild side of Bosnia and Herzegovina
If you want to feel and experience untouched nature, come to Čvrsnica. The Čvrsnica mountain range is located in the northern part of Herzegovina. To the east it is surrounded by the coast of the cool green Neretva River and its tributary Doljanka, which separates it from the Prenj Mountains. To the west is Vran, the mountain with which it has shared sunrises and sunsets since time immemorial. To the south it is separated from Čabulja by the canyon of the Drežanka River, while to the north the Doljanka River flows. With 15 peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level and the highest peak Pločno (2,228 meters above sea level), it represents the roof of Herzegovina.
The diversity of Čvrsnica is reflected in the fact that you can access it from different sides and find many marked hiking trails, so you can discover new trails every time. The recommended route starts in Masna Luka and leads to the destinations: Veliki Vilinac peak (2,118 m), Crvenjak lake (just under 2,000 m) and Hajdučka vrata.
Vran – mountain you must visit in winter
If one had to name a mountain that looks particularly beautiful in winter, Vran Mountain would be the clear choice. It lies above Blidinje Lake and is closely connected to neighboring Čvrsnica. In recent years, many mountaineers have discovered its beauty.
Blidinje Nature Park is accessible from the municipality of Jablanica. The impressive plateau and Blidinje Lake, with Čvrsnica on the left and Vran Mountain on the right, impress every visitor. Another reason to come in winter is the Risovac ski resort and recreation center.
Prenj – Himalayas in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The unique Prenj is located in Herzegovina, in the heart of the Dinarides. With 14 peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level and the highest peak Zelena glava (2,155 m), it is the most beautiful mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is surrounded by the lakes Boračko, Jablaničko, Grabovičko and Salakovac, the rivers Neretva, Ljuta, Bijela and Drežanka, the mountain massifs Velež, Crvnja and Visočica, and at its foot are the cities of Mostar, Jablanica and Konjic. The climb to one of the peaks of Prenj begins in the villages of Konjic or Mostar White, Idbra, Šanica and Potok.
The recommended route is the Rujište – Zelena glava trail, which should take two days and covers 24 kilometers.
Bobovac – on the paths of the medieval Bosnian Kingdom
If you are interested in history and want to explore places of historical and cultural significance, then Kraljeva Sutjeska and Bobovac are the perfect combination and reason to visit these regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the village of Kraljeva Sutjeska, be sure to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, which has the oldest organs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Franciscan monastery museum and its library with copies that are among the oldest printed books in the world, and one of the oldest mosques in the Balkans, built by Sultan Mehmed II el Fatih. All this can be spiced up with a walk to Bobovac – the capital of the Bosnian Kingdom during the reign of Stjepan II Kotromanić, where the Bosnian royal crown was kept and where Bosnian kings Stjepan Ostoja Tvrtko II and Stjepan Tomaš are buried.
The recommended route is the hiking trail “Kraljeva Sutjeska – Bukovica River – Ljestvača – Bobovac.” The well-marked and well-trodden route takes you to Bobovac through the canyon of the Bukovica River and endless forest areas, and autumn is the perfect time of year to visit this region.
Vlašić – the mountain you always return to
The mountain in central Bosnia that attracts skiers, hikers and foodies for its famous cheese. This is one of those gentle mountains where hiking in Bosnia with a dog is guaranteed without sore legs and inflammation.
The recommended route is the hiking trail "Galica - Mountain Inn 'Jusuf Pečenović' - Devečani - Vlaška Gromila (1919 m above sea level)." The highest and most popular peak is Paljenik (1943 m above sea level). One of the trails to it starts in Galica and leads to the mountain inn. From there you can see Paljenik and the trail to it.
Additional note: If you are going hiking in the Bosnian mountains for the first time, we recommend you read our text Hiking in Bosnia for beginners to read.
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