Full Description
This is the first detailed guide to the Bosnian part of the new Via Dinarica hiking trail that carves its way through the Dinaric Alps, one of Europe's least explored mountain ranges and last true wilderness frontiers, connecting the seven nations of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. In total, this trail system will span over 1,350km, 350km of which is in Bosnia Herzegovina.
The Via Dinarica consists of three routes - White, Green and Blue - and this guide focuses primarily on the White Trail through Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the natural flow of the highest peaks of the Dinaric Alps. Detailed descriptions of each of the 13 stages of the White Trail through Bosnia and Herzegovina are included, along with maps, altitude charts and helpful tips, as well as recommendations for waypoint visits and nearby highlights. Also included are an overview of the flora and fauna of the region, details of accommodation for each step of the way, and information on local public transport, culture, food and language.
The natural and cultural wonders of the Dinaric Alps are the best-kept secret of the Balkans, a region with some of the wildest, most impressive natural beauty in the world. All of the countries along the Via Dinarica boast beautiful mountains, alpine lakes, karst caves, forest preserves and pristine rivers that have forged extraordinary canyons and gorges. Here, there is also an abundance of enduring mountain communities that maintain their traditional ways of life and sustainable reliance on the land.
Although the Via Dinarica is primarily a hiking trail, there are opportunities for many different outdoor adventure sports along the way, such as rafting, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning, caving, etc. The Via Dinarica White Trail in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 350km long, takes an estimated 125 hours to complete, climbs the highest, often snow-capped mountains of the Dinaric Alps, and passes through or near over 5 national parks and many nature preserves, as well as one of the two remaining European rainforests, the Perucica primeval forest. With this handy, portably guide, you can discover it all.
Contents
PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography and Geology, Climate, Wildlife, Plants, Languages
Chapter 2 Practical Information
The Via Dinarica Trail - a summary, The countries of the VD, When to hike, Highlights and route planning, National Parks, Tourist offices, Tour Operators, Red Tape/border crossing, Embassies, Getting there and away, Public Transport, Accommodation, Eating and Drinking, Money, Budgeting, Opening Hours, Telephone numbers and mob phones, Internet, Public Holidays and Festivals, Other Outdoor Activities, Travelling with kids, Maps and apps, Trail markings, Long distance hiking: travelling light, Emergency phone numbers, Safety in the mountains, Low impact trekking
PART II - THE ROUTE
Introduction to Via Dinarica Bosnia Herzegovina
Stage 26: BH-W-01 the Our Lady of Sinj Route
Stage 27: BH-W-02 via Grabovicka planina to Bukovica and Duvanjsko polje
Stage 28: BH-W-03 Lib and Svinjar
Stage 29: BH-W-04 Vran Mountain and Blidinje Lake
Stage 30: BH-W-05 Cvrsnica mountain and Jablanica city
Stage 31: BH-W-06 Prenj Mountain
Stage 32: BH-W-07 Ruiste and Boracko
Stage 33: BH-W-08 Neretva and Rakitnica Canyon to Lukomir village
Stage 34: BH-W-09 Lukomir via Visocica mountain to Ljuta
Stage 35: BH-W-10 from Ljuta around Treskavica Mountain to Kalinovik City
Stage 36: BH-W-11 via Lelija and Zelengora Mountain to Sutjeska National Park
Stage 37: BH-W-12 Donje Bare via Suha and Prijevor to Trnovacko Lake
Stage 38: BH/CG-W-01 Maglic to Pivska mounatin via Piva Canyon
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Gateway Cities
Appendix 2: Language
Appendix 3: Further reading
Appendix 4: Website and apps
Index
