We had four days in Bosnia & Herzegovina with rafting, hiking and mountains. Bosnia & Herzegovina is a great destination for outdoor and mountain activities! This itinerary takes you through the heart of the country that is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. We travelled in July 2022 on a father-and-son trip.
If you’re looking for an action-packed getaway, this is for you. We will share the stories of driving quad bikes on mount Bjelašnica outside Sarajevo, rafting on the Neretva river and hiking in Sutjeska national park.
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We stayed just outside Sarajevo, and drove day trips from there in a rented car. With more days in Bosnia & Herzegovina, we would have stayed in different places. Mount Bjelašnica is just a 25-minute car ride from Sarajevo, and that is where we stayed to get away from the busy city. The first nights were in Vila Jasen, but we did not have a good experience, and moved to Hotel Monti, which was just the mountain hotel we were looking for. Hotel Monti is very close to the Olympic city at Mount Bjelašnica. It was a good location, because we need to get up very early on the last day to catch the flight home.
Tourism in Bosnia & Herzegovina is not nearly as developed as in Neighboring Croatia, but there are plenty of services for those looking for a destination off the beaten track. The civil war ended more than 25 years before our visit, but the war still has a big impact and is a reference for many people. Road conditions were good where we went, but with only a few highways, it takes time to move around. A highway between Sarajevo and Mostar was being constructed in 2022.
The media reported on tension between ethnic groups while we were there, but we felt safe everywhere we went. The people we met were friendly and helpful.
Quad bike tour to Lukomir village
Quad biking on Bjelašnica is an unforgettable experience that takes visitors on a thrilling adventure through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The mountain range of Bjelašnica is known for its stunning views and diverse terrains, ranging from rolling hills to rugged peaks and valleys.
Riding on a quad bike is a unique way to explore the area and take in the breathtaking scenery. The experience is suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to more experienced riders, and is a great way to escape the crowds and experience the area in a new and exciting way.
The tour took us to the villages of Lukomir and Umoljani. These ancient villages are home to unique architecture, stunning natural scenery, and a rich cultural heritage. One of the highlights of a visit to this area is the view over the Rakitnica Canyon. This breathtaking canyon is one of the deepest in the Balkans, with towering cliffs, crystal-clear river, and diverse range of flora and fauna.
Faruk from Superb Adventures guided us on the tour. It was our first quad bike experience, and a lot of fun. Faruk was a good guide and shared a lot of information about the history of the places. He prioritises security. Be aware that some quad bike agencies have poor security standards.
Rafting on the Neratva river
We kicked off our second day with a splash! Bosnia & Herzegovina is a popular rafting destination with several rivers that offer different types of rafting.
The Neratva river, known for its crystal-clear water and breathtaking scenery, is the perfect place to try rafting. As you navigate the rapids, surrounded by towering cliffs and dense forests, you’ll get a taste of the country’s rugged beauty.
We rafted with Raft kor, that has the city Konjic as the base and starting point. We were in a large group with six rafts. It was a good experience with Raft Kor. Their guides were experienced, and maneuvered the rafts well. The Neratva has medium difficulty rapids.
We went on a full day rafting tour, but it was more like a half day tour. We met at the Raft Kor office at 9 am. An hour later we were in a bus that took us to the starting location. It was 11:30 before we started, and after the first half hour of rafting we had a two-hour lunch break. The guides barbecued kebab at the beach, in a nice and relaxed atmosphere.
Mostar
At the end of our trip we drove to Mostar. We wanted to try the very long zip line Fortica above Mostar. But it was closed as we arrived. There was no information, but we guessed it could be due to strong wind that day.
Instead we drove to Mostar and had lunch with a view to the bridge Stari Most, which may be the best known tourist attraction in the country.
Sutjeska national park
After a nice lunch we drove east towards the Sutjeska national park. The road took us to parts of the country where we did not see other tourists. We drove through low mountains and rolling hills, with a clear blue sky in the background.
The road took us past Blagaj Fortress, built in the 16th century and is known for its well-preserved architecture and breathtaking views. Perched on a cliff above the Buna River, Blagaj fortress offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Blagaj fortress has a rich cultural heritage, and it was a key strategic point during Ottoman rule, and it played a crucial role in the region’s military and political history.
The ride was a joy in itself, but we wanted to get to Sutjeska in time to get back to the hotel later.
Sutjeska National Park is the oldest national park in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and it’s also the country’s largest. It covers an area of over 17,000 hectares and boasts an incredibly diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems. Expect to experience rolling hills, verdant forests, rugged peaks and crystal-clear rivers.
Sutjeska National Park played a key role in the Yugoslavian Partisans’ struggle against German occupation during World War.
Sutjeska national park is also home to Perućica Primeval Forest, a UNESCO-protected ancient forest which is one of the last remaining primeval beech forests in Europe, and home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species.
One of the highlights of a visit to Perućica is Skakavac waterfall. This stunning waterfall is one of the highest in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
We enjoyed our four days in Bosnia & Herzegovina with rafting, hiking and mountains. It is a country where we could easily have stayed longer and explored other parts of the country.
We like rafting, and have rafted in several countries.