Via Dinarica BH-W-08 Neretva and Rakitnica Canyon to Lukomir village
If you plan on hiking this trail in two days, you can climb up Kom summit (left on T junction, close to Podkomlje village) where a medieval castle used to be located.
From the confluence, the trail climbs up towards the cliffs of Cepa and passes on its other side offering great views on Ostro (the Sharp) pinnacle and canyon. A little later it comes above the village of Dubocani situated bellow the great Crows’ Rocks (Vranske stijene). It joins the road above the village, and follows it for the next couple of kilometers where it moves over pastures and ends in the oak and beech forest. In the forest, it goes straight up over pathless terrain and comes to the plateau above Crows’ Rocks. It passes by an old shepherd settlement (katun) where an elderly couple still graze their sheep flock and cultivate their garden in a very traditional way. The trail leaves the edge of the canyon and goes through the forest which ends in open pasture lands of southern Bjelasnica. The ruins of Blace village are located close to the edge of the Rakitnica canyon. It reminds us of the horrors of the last war in this beautiful country. The lake named after the village (or was it the opposite?) is just behind in the oval valley. It is already being consumed by swamp vegetation where some wetland bird species can be spotted. From Blace, the trail climbs up to Markovac and Lisac summits. On the other side of the canyon you can see Dzamija (the Mosque), which is the highest summit of Visocica mountain with its 1967 m. The trail will follow the edge to the beech forest, will move for a bit inside the wods, and then back to the canyon, now crossing the southern slopes of Mount Lovnica. Around Lovnica, trail brings you to the highest Bosnian village – Lukomir. This stage ends here. Here you’ll have a chance to experience life as it was once upon a time all over the Bosnian and Herzegovinian highlands, but also how civilization is easily taking over.
Author’s recommendation
Also, I recommend to take a dip in the ice-refreshing Rakitnica ;-)
Rest Stop
LukomirLjetna bašta Restaurant
Mountain house Natura AS
Safety information
Mind your step on difficult terrain and watch for snakes when reaching with your hands or sitting on the grass in the shade.The mountain rescue service is reached by calling 112.
Tips, hints and links
Hendrik Morkel: Ridge Walking on the Via DinaricaStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Note
Public transport
"Bjelimici Bus"- +387 36 737 009 (try to book your seat and agree on a pick-up location)
Bjelimići - Konjic - Sarajevo (except weekends) u 8,00 h (sunday 15,00)
Bjelimići - Glavatičevo - Konjic (mon-fri) at 13,30 h (contracted)
Konjic - Glavatičevo - Bjelimići (mon-fri) at 6,10 h (contracted)
Sarajevo -Konjic - Bjelimići (except sundays) at 14,00
Getting there
Turn left in Konjic and follow the signs to Boracko lake.If not hiking from the previous stage, drive straight to the suspension bridge. The first few kilometers of asphalt road do not make for a pleasant hike.
Parking
It is possible to park by the suspension bridge. Also, parking can be found at Boracko lake.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Standard hiking equipment.As water is available mainly from wells, a water filter is recommended.
If you take this stage in two days, camping equipment is needed.
Questions and answers
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