Via Dinarica Bosnia – Bjelasnica mountain (4 days)

This is a great hike in the hinterland of Bjelašnica, part of Via Dinarica White Line, which includes traditional villages, old watermills, stunning views of Rakitnica canyon and waterfalls.

Day 1:
Today we hike up Bjelašnica mountain. We climb to the opposite side of the Olympic ski slopes, which is far less frequented by hikers and nature lovers. The hike takes us through a pine and beech forest up to the “Gate of the Wind”, where you will be greeted by either the gentle and pleasant warm breeze of Bjelašnica or the harsh, piercing southerly wind. From here we continue to a small shepherd's hut (at 1,620 metres). The hut is just over 45 minutes from our drop-off point. We will have lunch here and enjoy the flowing hills and bare peaks of the southeast side of Bjelašnica.
At this point we start our steep, hour-long climb to the top of Hranisava (1,964 meters). The slopes of Hranisava are quite steep in places, but offer wonderful views of Central Bosnia and Herzegovina and its peaks, Trebević, Treskavica, Visočica, Velež, Prenj, Čvrsnica and Vranica – almost all the main mountains of the Central Dinaric Alps chain. In short, you will enjoy great views. From the summit we continue hiking down to Krošnje (1,660 meters), a remaining traditional summer settlement for shepherds who come from as far away as Čapljina in Herzegovina. Krošnje lies at the foot of the mighty Krvavac peak, partially surrounded by 2-4 meter high pine thickets called “kleka”. Krvavac is rough and demands respect from humans and animals. Locals say that this is the place where wolves and bears descend in winter. After a short rest in this truly mystical place, we return via a cool spring to our cozy mountain hut where we spend the night. Approximately 5-6 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Mountain hut, Stanari
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2:
After breakfast we start today's hike over the Bjelašnica ridge to the Ljeljen peaks (1,938 m) and the Greda pass to our today's destination, the village of Lukomir.
In the early morning hours we leave Stanari and head into the interior of Bjelašnica. On the way we occasionally come across a shepherd with his sheep grazing on the steep slopes of Bjelašnica. The view from the valley is endless and filled with the yellow and purple flowers so typical of summer. After an hour and a half we start our gradual ascent to the Greda Pass, a beautiful crossing between Krvavac (the second highest peak of Bjelašnica at 2,062 m) and Debela Brda (1,987 m). Here today's reward awaits us, views of the highest peaks of Bjelašnica, Treskavica, Visočica, Zelengora and Jahorina...
Walking through soft mountain grass, we meander down to the Grkarica spring, a real lifesaver in the warm summer months. After leaving the spring behind us, we hike again through the long valley and after hours of empty mountain terrain, we are surprised to reach our destination for today, the village of Lukomir.
Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469 m, with its old stećci (medieval gravestones) where the villagers still maintain the traditional shepherd lifestyle. On the outskirts of the village there are fantastic views of the Rakitnica gorge, Obalj and Visočica. On the outskirts of the village you will be rewarded with a rare view of Rakitnica, Obalj and Visočica. You have reached the end of the world. Approximately 5-6 hours walking time.
Accommodation: Pension “Ljetna Bašta”, village Lukomir
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3:
After a delicious homemade breakfast, we start the hike with a descent into the deepest and least explored area of this region of Europe, the Rakitnica Gorge.
The trail winds steadily downhill until we reach the Rakitnica river in the deepest part of the gorge. The long descent along old shepherds' paths ends with crossing one of the old "Indiana Jones" style suspension bridges and climbing up the opposite side to the village of Bobovica. From here we follow the meadows and green pastures of Visočica mountain to the Vrela hut, our "base" for tonight. Approximately 4-5 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Vrela mountain hut, Tušila village
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4:
The ridge of Vito Peak (1,960m), our highest point on today's hike, is visible in the distance and forms one of the most attractive ridges near Sarajevo. Vito Peak itself is extremely elegant and offers some stunning 360-degree views that make the climb to the summit very worthwhile.
After about 45 minutes we reach the amphitheater of Vito, created by glaciers thousands of years ago, and see the summit for the first time. From here the trail continues uphill along the mountain slopes, which constantly offer us new views. As we approach the peak of Vito, you can even see Lukomir on the opposite side of the gorge from where we crossed the previous day. After leaving the peak of Vito behind us, we continue our hike along the great ridge that connects Vito with Drstva (1,808 m), the last peak of the day, which offers some unforgettable views.
From here we descend from the ridge into the forest towards the signpost that shows the direction to the village of "Tušila". If we follow the direction of the arrow and enter the forest, we will pass a water source. In about 30-45 minutes we will reach the road from which we will return to the hut. In the afternoon we will take a one-hour transfer back to Sarajevo. About 5-6 hours of walking time.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch