Blidinje Natural Park
Bosnia-Herzegovina
3 days
SEASON
Spring, Summer
TRANSPORT
Car, Bus
Blidinje Natural Park
Blidinje Natural Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is located only an hour and a half from the Adriatic coast. It has a surface area of 358 km 2, spread out at the foothills of Vran and Cvrsnica mountains. Its unique geomorphological features, a great diversity of local flora and fauna, and beautiful untouched nature, make it a perfect getaway spot for all those looking to escape the stress of everyday life. It offers visitors looking for a place to relax in fresh mountain air, a chance to learn about the intricacies of local history and cultural legacy – A real heaven for true nature lovers.
Day by Day
With this 3-day itinerary you will visit the length and breadth of the Blidinje Nature Park. The itinerary includes various activities designed specifically to experience the flora and fauna of the park and to learn more about the local history and culture.
DAY 1
Guided tours of “Blidinje Natural Park”
Blidinje Natural Park is home to a number of significant locations of natural and cultural heritage; it is also a place with an abundance of interesting stories and legends. The tour starts from the lake Blidinje – Meeting point with the Guide. The tour will then head to Masna Luka, to visit the church and monastery of st. Elijah the Thunderer, where visitors will discover interesting art galleries as well. Masna Luka is also well known for its freshwater springs, the most well known of those being a spring called Jasle, the area is also known as the largest habitats of the endemic Bosnian pine. The tour will end at the Ski Center Risovac, a ski center built on the slopes of mountain Cvrsnica. It’s considered the centerpiece of the local winter tourism and is also considered to be the first real tourist attraction in Blidinje area. The tour takes approximately 2 hours, visitors will enjoy the serene and magical surroundings and encounter endemic plants of the region.
More info..
Admission: 100 KM/51.5 € total. Price includes: tour guide for Nature Park Blidinje area for the duration of tour. Price does not include: transportation, food and drinks, insurance, other service.
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
Tour of the rural homestead in “Blidinje Nature Park”
Through many centuries, the inhabitants of Blidinje have developed their own way of life, which is today nurtured in the various homesteads located here. Our rural homesteads are located within the Nature Park itself, at an elevation of 1200 m.
The tour takes 2 hours, during which visitors will have a unique chance to learn about the life of people who live in this protected area, taste the products they prepare using traditional recipes using plants and herbs, and even buy these products.
The tour includes homestead that produces cheese or a homestead that produces products made of pine needles.
More info..
Admission: 20 KM/pax – cca 10.5 €/pax for adults, children 3-12 years old 50 % discount, children younger than 3 years old participate for free. Price includes: tour of homestead with the property manager and tasting the products produced there. Price does not include: Food and drinks other than the tasting, transfer to and from Blidinje.
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
NOTE: Minimum number of persons 4, maximum of 10. For smaller or larger groups there is special price calculation
DAY 2
Medicinal herbs picking in “Blidinje Nature Park”
Blidinje Nature Park is an ideal habitat for a multitude of medicinal plant species – clean, unpolluted air and soil, favorable climate and lots of sunny days make for perfect conditions for their growth. Upon arrival to Blidinje, visitors are greeted with refreshments before meeting with a specialized guide. Equipment, information, and guidelines will be provided before starting the tour. The rest of the day is dedicated to relaxation in pristine nature while picking plants. Upon return to the estate, the guide will provide instructions on how to dry and prepare teas from the plants picked.
More info..
Admission: 95 KM per person – cca 48.5 € per person. Price includes: specialized guide, equipment for herb picking (gloves and a sack), a refreshment (cookie, fruit, water, coffee/tea), a lunchbox (sandwich, water, fruit), main meal upon end of program. Price does not include: Food and drinks other than described in the program, transportation to and from Blidinje.
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
NOTE: 4 persons minimum, maximum is 15. For smaller or larger groups we calculate a special price
Horseback riding at “Blidinje Nature Park”
Upon arrival at Blidinje, you meet your instructor, who is also your guide for the day, and get acquainted with the horses.
The ride takes about 2 hours during which horse riders will have the chance to discover the parts of the Park in the vicinity of the estate, and your guide will make sure to make sufficient breaks for exploring, explaining, rest and refreshment.
More info..
Admission: 60 KM/pax – 31 €/pax. Price includes: specialized horseback guide for the duration of the program, horses and equipment for the duration of the programme. Price does not include: Food and drinks, transfer to and from Blidinje NP, accident insurance (additional 1.5 KM/0.80 € per person).
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
NOTE: 2 persons minimum, 5 persons maximum, minimum age requirement is 10 years old
Cycling tours at “Blidinje Nature Park”
This tour is perfect for those who would like to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of Blidinje Nature Park and learn about its rich flora and fauna but also its history. Upon arrival at Blidinje, meet your licensed cycling guide, who is also a licensed tour guide for the area of Blidinje Nature Park. Before starting the tour itself, participants will pick their bicycles and equipment and will receive information and instructions from the guide. The route is approximately 30 km long, 60% of which is off-road, and the rest is an asphalt road. The route will go through some of the most interesting locations of the Park: Masna Luka (home to an interesting church complex, and is famous for its freshwater springs and is a habitat to the endemic Bosnian pine), Blidinje lake (from which our Nature Park got its name) and stecak necropolis in Dugo Polje (stecak is the name of a unique kind of medieval tombstone typical of this area, and this location is a UNESCO site).
During the tour, the guide will make sure to take ample breaks in order to give you time to rest and enjoy the landscapes, as well as explain to you the intricacies of this area’s history. The bike ride takes approximately 4 hours.
More info..
Admission: from 75 KM/pax – cca 38.5 €/pax. Price includes: specialized cycling tour guide for the duration of the program, bicycle and equipment for the duration of the program, refreshment pack (water, fruit, cookie). Price does not include: Food and drinks other than refreshment packet, transfer to and from Blidinje NP, accident insurance (additional 1.5 KM/0.80 € per person.
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
NOTES: Price is based on a 5 persons minimum, the tour can be done for smaller groups at a different price. Tour is intended for people of all fitness levels.
DAY 3
Rakitno “Guided tour Veni-Vidi-Sensi”
Rakitno is a small, picturesque mountain village near Blidinje Nature Park with a rich and interesting flora. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and starts at 800 m above sea level and climbs to 1100 m. During the tour, visitors are introduced to the rich flora of the area. The specificity of climate collisions in this area has conditioned the diversity of vegetation cover. As the altitude changes, so do the plant species.
After the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to pick herbs for distillation and learn about the plant species with an expert guide. While the essential oil cooling process is on going, homemade food will be served to the group. After lunch and after the distillation process, participants will be able to create their own personalized fragrance.
During the tour Visitors will be introduced to a variety of medicinal and aromatic plants such as Calluna vulgaris, Origanum vulgaris, Teucrium montanum, Rosa canina, Angelica archangelica, mushroms, wilde strowberies, Thymus serpyllum.
More info..
Opening Times: the tour starts and 8.30am and ends around 6pm.
Admission: 50 € per person (max 10 persons); includes: guided tour, lunch, refreshment, fragrant souvenir
Contacts: +38763005881, nadasaricrakitno@net.hr
EXTRA
Hiking tours in “Blidinje Nature Park”
One of the greatest ways to connect with nature is through hiking. Whether you decide to conquer the highest peaks of the park, take a panoramic walk or simply enjoy the fresh mountain air, the surrounding beauty of the mountains is sure to leave hikers awestruck. Breathtaking views, untouched valleys, a rich diversity of flora and fauna, refreshing springs, several smaller and larger lakes, beautiful ancient pine, the fresh air and the unique beautiful landscapes are sure to make hiking in Blidinje Nature Park an unforgettable experience.
More info..
Here are the following organized tours: Route 1: Panoramic hiking on Cvrsnica mountain; Route 2: Vitlenica – Hajducka vrata; Route 3: Vitlenica – Veliki Vilinac; Route 4: Hajducke Vrleti – Veliki Vran; Route 5: Masna Luka – Plocno
Admission: 200 KM total – cca 102.5 € total. Price includes: licensed mountain hiking guide. Price does not include: Food and drinks, transfer to and from Nature Park Blidinje, accident insurance (additional 1.50 KM/0.80€ per person)
Contacts: Association “Visit Blidinje”, +38763493111, info@visit-blidinje.com, http://www.visit-blidinje.com/
Tour around heritage site “Podbila” in Posusje
Small village in the town of Posusje with great historical heritage medieval church built in stone, water mills, as well as Mediterranean plants. The village is almost abandoned and it offers nice scenery, walking areas through archeological sites, and enjoyment in real nature.
More info..
Admission: No entry ticket, only specific offers are charged
Contacts: Association “Alpina”; +387 63 909 651; mzpodbila@gmail.com
Busko Lake “Eco Village Grabovica”
The Busko Lake is situated along the border with Croatia and Dalmatian hinterland, at the point where Bosnia, Herzegovina and Dalmatia, Mediterranean, continental and moderate climate intersect at an altitude of 700 meters. Visit the Eco-Village of Grabovica and experience the genuine natural beauty of the Busko Lake and residents’ hospitality and spend an active vacation in the beautiful landscape of the rural idyll. Eco village offers accommodation, gastronomy, active vacation, equestrian tours and mini zoo.
More info..
Opening Times: From 08:00 to 22:00
Admission: No entry ticket, only specific offers are charged
Contacts: +387/ (0) 34 366 851, info@ecoselograbovica.com, www.ecoselograbovica.com
Accessibility
Starting Point: Nature Park Blidinje
Nearest Airport:
Mostar International Airport (78 km)
Sarajevo International Airport (101 km)
Split International Airport (160 km)
Tuzla International Airport (200 km)
Dubrovnik International Airport (230 km)
Zadar International Airport (260 km)
The itinerary has to be done by car or by rented minibus. There are no regular bus lines. Visit Blidinje Organization offers transfer services to and from all domestic and regional airports, as well as any other locations within Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighboring countries
Distances:
Day 1
All destinations are by walking distance
Day 2
All destinations are by walking distance
Day 3
Blidinje > Rakitno : 27,8 km (24 min drive)
Rakitno > Podbila: 37,8 km (42 min drive)
Podbila > Busko Jezero: 30 km (45 min drive)
Busko Jezero > Blidinje: 69 km (1h drive)
The roads are in a good state mainly local and regional roads.
Accomodation
Hotel Hajducke Vrleti
Tomislavgrad
Vukoja – MAV d.o.o., Blidinje bb, 80 240 Tomislavgrad, BiH
Contacts:T. +387 63 304 603
M. rezervacije@vrleti.com
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Catering
Hajducke Vrleti Restaurant
Tomislavgrad
Blidinje bb, 80 240 Tomislavgrad, BiH
Contacts:T. +387 63 304 603
M. rezervacije@vrleti.com
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Go to the websiteEco Village Grabovica Restaurant
Prisoje
Grabovica b.b., 80245 Prisoje, BiH
Contacts:T. +387/ (0) 34 366 851
M. info@ecoselograbovica.com
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Go to the website