• Highlights

• Ascend the highest peak of Croatia, Sinjal (1,831m)
• Hike the green cayon of Krupa karstic river
• Explore Mostar and Sarajevo, the crossroads of ancient civilizations
• Visit traditional villages in Bosnia, where residents still live “the old way”
• Two day Čvrsnica mountain adventure

Explore the Via Dinarica through Croatia and Bosnia, an area that is largely yet to be discovered by hikers. If they only knew what was waiting for them! On this adventure, you’ll find a playground for active travelers. Spectacular limestone peaks, the beautiful Adriatic coast, glacier lakes, amazing views, colorful wildflowers, medieval villages, and a gracious culture and people.

Come explore Nature Parks Velebit & Blidinje; visit Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city and a fascinating mix of European and Eastern culture; and hike Bjelasnica, one of four mountains around the city that hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.

• Itinerary / 8 days

• Day 1 – Arrival to Split

  Arrival to Split airport and transfer to the small and pleasant town of Skradin at the foot of the Dinara Massif, where we stay for the first two nights. 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 mountain. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

• Day 2 – Hike at Canyon of Krupa river

  Hiking Krupa river canyon – a beautiful green cayon reflecting the true splendor of the Dinaric karst, in the clear waters of this amazingly clean river. Picnic and a possibility of a refreshing swim in Krupa. In the afternoon, return to Skradin, dinner and overnight.

  • Easy to medium / 7,5km / Ascent-Descent (alt. difference): +580m /-475m (70m-380m)

• Day 3 – Ascent of Sinjal peak (1,831m), Highest peak of Croatia at Dinara mountain

  Transfer to Glavaš village and ascent to Dinara (1831m), the highest peak of Croatia. Descent to mountain hut Brezovac, on the western slopes of Dinara. Overnight in mountain hut Brezovac.

  • Medium to challenging / 13,5km / Ascent-Descent (alt. difference): +1320m / -765m (520m-1831m)

• Day 4 – Hike to Badanj peak (1,281m) with descent from Dinara & transfer to Mostar

  Descent from Dinara, with hiking to Badanj peak (1281m) on the way, to enjoy some nice views again. Transfer to Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

  • Medium / 12,5km / Ascent-Descent (alt. difference): +1095m / -275m (250m-1275m)

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

  We start our Bosnian Via Dinarica adventure with a transfer to Blidinje Nature Park, from where we will start hiking over Cvrsnica mountain. Today’s goal is Veliki Vilinac peak (2,118m). The first bit of trail takes us through beech forests and a gentle ascent. As the elevation rises we come above the tree line and the “sleepy giant”: Cvrsnica 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 / 13Km
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Mountain Hut Vilinac, Cvrsnica mountain, Bosnia

• Day 6 – Hajducka vrata Hike with descent to Diva Grabovica valley

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

  From here we will start our descent, more than 1,500m 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 / 1800Δh / 12Km
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Pension Umoljani, Bjelasnica Mountain, Bosnia

• Day 7 – Umoljani to Lukomir Highland Villages circular hike

  This will be a full-day walk on the Bjelašnica Massif (home of the 1984 winter Olympics). We will visit Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highest village (1,469m). 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 Kasici 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.

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

• Day 8 – Sarajevo Departure, transfer to Sarajevo International 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

• Walking profile

Number of days walking: 6
Level: moderate
Average daily distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Terrain: medium altitude differences (up to 850m); trails passing green forests but also rocky limestone areas

• Who is guiding the tour?

29 years of experience in the organization of hiking programs in Croatia and around the world, combined with a team of well-versed tour guides who are passionate about nature and cultural and historical heritage, this is the recipe that results in every tour concocted in the VMD adventure lab being a successful ‘experiment’. Let us introduce you to the secrets of adventurous Croatia in a safe and interesting way! More about our tour leaders and the office crew here: VMD GUIDES