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Mostarska Bijela Canyon Hiking – Full Day Tour from Sarajevo or Mostar

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12509
8 Hours
Availability : Every Day
Min Age : 5
Max People : 8 persons
Tour Overview

Mostarska Bijela hiking tour is an ideal opportunity to experience the pure beauty of Herzegovina karst and the unique adventure of exploring the amazing Bijela canyon. 

The spectacular Bijela Valley has been carved by the river Bijela and is a completely remote piece of heaven where only few people so far have had a chance to set their foot on and experience this untouched natural beauty.

Get ready to see the stunning valley, diverse wildlife, and an amazing 80m long canyon of the Bijela river with the waterfall at the end of the canyon.

Either if you do it from Sarajevo or Mostar, this tour is a perfect day trip for people with medium or even medium-low physical condition.

Highlights

Important Notice

Region of Mostarska Bijela is completely safe from any perspective of mines. Funky Tours will NEVER conduct trips to any areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina having ANY risk at all from perspective of mines.

Safety of our guests and ourselves, is our most important priority.

What's Included

INCLUDED
  • English speaking local-expert guide and driver.
  • Lunch. Vegetarian options available.
  • Free of charge pickup. Either if you go from Mostar or Sarajevo we can arrange free pickup.
  • No hidden costs. VAT 17% included in the price. Cancel 1 day prior for full refund or change dates anytime.
  • Tour is available from May to November.
  • Pay safely online with a credit card. We accept payments for all types of credit cards.
NOT INCLUDED
  • Personal travel insurance is not included. Please buy it at home country.
  • Tips are not included in the tour costs. If you receive excellent service, please consider tipping.
  • All tours are shared, unless specifically booked as private.

Departure Times & Starting Points

Departure Times Daily: 8 AM from Mostar or 7 AM from Sarajevo.

Pickup LocationsThis tour can depart from Mostar or Sarajevo. For Mostar departure we shall pick you up at your address. For guests leaving from Sarajevo, we can start from our office or arrange free pick up on request as well.

Technical Specification

  • Tour Class: Medium-Easy
  • Walking Distance: 8 km
  • Minimum Altitude: 135m
  • Maximum Altitude: 495m
  • Total Elevation Gain: 470m
  • Total Elevation Loss: 115m

Itinerary

Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is medium/easy demanding. Due to the distance of the locations, we use vehicles to get to the starting hiking point, but the rest of the tour is done on foot through amazing nature surroundings. 

Meet & Greet

Meet our team at the office or your preferred pickup location. The most convenient start of this tour is town Mostar, which is only 40min driving away from Mostarska Bijela delta into Neretva river, where is the starting point of our hiking trail. However if your only option is to go from Sarajevo, it is no problem, but please note that it would be 1.45hrs driving from Sarajevo one-way.

Mostarska Bijela hiking trail

As soon as we reach Salakovac lake on its left side, where Mostarska Bijela river is entering the Neretva river, that is the beginning of our Mostarska Bijela hiking trail.

Herzegovina Hike

As soon as we leave our car, we shall start hiking through the beautiful Mostarska Bijela valley. 

It is a six kilometre long and wild valley where vertical rocks often reach heights at over 300m above. Majority of the trail are the riverbed waterways carved by the Bijela river. The valley itself was created by glacial movements and ice melting processes at Prenj mountain thousands of years ago, offering us today an amazing insight into natural processes of the Balkans since the Ice Age.

Herzegovina Hike

Depending on the season, Bijela river for the most of its flow through Herzegovinian karst can be completely underground, but also during the spring, it could be quite tricky to cross. It means that in some parts we have to take off our shoes in order to jump across the numerous creeks in aim not to get wet, making this experience one of the tour highlights.

Herzegovina Hike

During the walk animal wildlife is so easy to spot. We can easily meet up viper snakes (Vipera ammodytes) and several types of differently sized frogs and lizards. The region is known to be home for chamois, wild horses and eagles, with stunning biodiversity of herbs and trees.

Herzegovina Hike

During the 1990ies the canyon of the Bijela river was used to connect Mostar and Jablanica, with a two day hike across Prenj mountain. Our hiking tour is a unique way to further additionally understand the story of Siege of Mostar, the situation in Herzegovina and aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Later trail will take us by an interesting cemetery of the Lojpur family and via an amazing set of rock formations called “Kravlje pećine” (eng. Cow caves), we shall reach the entrance to the Bijela river canyon itself.

Mostarska Bijela amazing set of rock formations called “Kravlje pećine” (eng. Cow caves)

The cave itself is extremely narrow, at places being 1 metre wide and over 20-25 metre high, with Bijela river passing through. It is recommended if the water levels are high during the spring and post heavy rain periods, to have an extra pair of shoes or flip-flops to wear, in order not to get your hiking boots wet. Cave is chilly and the water temperature is around 6-8 Celsius. 

Herzegovina Hike

Cave being 80m long, is a 15-20 minute walk through the ice cold, crystal clear, drinkable water flow. Perfectly polished, non slippery rocks are quite easy to walk, and if you are an expert jumper, you can even avoid wet feet too. (But where is the fun then? Get wet and enjoy this amazing nature creation as much as you can!)

At the very end of the cave is a kind of, “heavens open” above us, 10m high waterfall. The water comes from higher parts of Prenj mountain and via these karst crafted holes, canyons and passages, eventually ending in the beautiful Neretva river. Upper flow of the river is not accessible beyond the point of the waterfall. At the very bottom the waterfall is a small river spring too.

Herzegovina Hike

Spending 30min to an hour inside the cave is recommended and stunning photos can be taken.

Once we are out of the cave, picnic lunch will be served while enjoying the view of Bijela river passing into lower canyon caves and disappearing in front of our eyes.

The return will take approximately 2.30 hours.

Herzegovina Hike

What to Bring

What Do I Need to Bring?

  • Comfortable hiking boots or thick bottom sport sneakers
  • Spare light shoes or flip-flops to explore the cave and not getting wet your main boots/shoes
  • 1.5 l water
  • Sun cream and hat (summer time)
  • Rain jacket (in case of bad weather)
  • 2 spare t-shirts to change
  • Light-weight, breathable walking trousers
  • Flashlight (if you have it)
  • A small backpack to carry personal items (water, snacks, shirts to use during the hike)
  •  

Trip Photos

Herzegovina Hike
The entrance to the cave is easily accessible and not hard to find. Just follow the water stream and you are there.
Herzegovina Hike
Lojpur family graves. The graves of ancestors of the Lojpur family who lived in this region are located just on the right side of the trail. Graves date to 1920s.
Herzegovina Hike
So called “Kravlje Pećine” (eng. Cow caves), are natural phenomenon of created by millennial long rainwater eroding the limestone and creating the formation that looks alike frozen wave. Being nearly 100m long, it is perfect shelter in case of rain or other bad weather conditions. Stalactite formations at the very bottom of the wave shape are exceptional.
Herzegovina Hike
The karst, dry and hot regions of Herzegovina are rich with Viper snakes. The valley of Mostarska Bijela river is no exception to this. When hiking these trails, make sure to have good-above-ankle hiking boots and wear long trousers.
Herzegovina Hike
Meeting Mediterranean toad (Bufo bufo spinosus) is one of the most amazing moments of the whole hiking trip.
Herzegovina Hike
Jumping over the rocks is truly an amazing experience.
Herzegovina Hike
The biggest attraction of the day is 10m high waterfall at the very end of the cave. Spending several tens of minute to an hour inside the cave is recommended, while taking amazing photos and enjoying the beauty of this amazing place.
Herzegovina Hike
Inside the 80 meters long cave water is usually shallow and the whole canyon is accessible during the most of the year. For comfortable cave explorations it is recommended to carry flashlight and spare water shoes. Going inside you will probably get wet, so avoid having wet shoes for the rest of the day.
Mostarska Bijela amazing set of rock formations called “Kravlje pećine” (eng. Cow caves)
Mostarska Bijela amazing set of rock formations called “Kravlje pećine” (eng. Cow caves)
Herzegovina Hike
The total length of circular tour through the Mostarska Bijela valley is around 15km and is accessible for anyone of normal or medium fitness. When hiking in the summer time, it is recommended to have enough water for 3 hour hike as later you can refill at Mostarska Bijela spring.
Herzegovina Hike
Three hour hiking trail via Mostarska Bijela river valley goes through karst terrain.
Herzegovina Hike
These concrete barrages have been created during the Yugoslavian days, to prevent major flooding and overaccumulation of the dirt and stone usually carried down by the Bijela river during the spring days, when large amounts of snow are being melted at Prenj mountain.
Herzegovina Hike
The valley of Bijela river is approximately 6km long. In the upper river flow there is 1200m long canyon, and being less than a meter wide, it is totally unaccessible without proper equipment and experienced guide.
Herzegovina Hike
The water temperature inside the cave is approximately 8 degrees Celsius and is quite chilly. During the periods of high waters, it is recommended to have extra pair of shoes in aim to explore the cave properly without being worried to be wet all the way during the hike.
Herzegovina Hike
Admiring the stunning Bijela river waterfall. It is approximately 10m high and no further progress can be made beyond this point just by walking.

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is this tour for me?
    This is an easy to moderate hiking tour which requires normal aerobic fitness; muscular strength and endurance and is for anyone who is into a bit of challenge.
  2. I would like to join this tour but I do not have the necessary hiking equipment.
    In case you have decided to join our hiking tour but forgot to pack your hiking boots or some other relevant part of hiking equipment you might be worried about, feel free to contact our team and we will do our best to provide the necessities. 
  3. Is lunch included in costs?
    Yes, costs include picnic lunch. Please inform us in case of any dietary restrictions.
  4. Can I join this tour other than from Mostar?
    Yes you can join this tour if you are staying in Sarajevo, Konjic, Jablanica too.
  5. Can I book as a solo traveller?
    Yes you can. Significant number of our fellow travelers are solo.
  6. How much should I tip?
    Tips are not included in the tour costs, nor they are heavily expected in Bosnian culture. However when you receive excellent service, we recommend tipping.
  7. How much in advance do I need to book this tour?
    It is recommended to book at least 5 days in advance but our team will go above and beyond to confirm the trips even 24h before the supposed departure.
  8. Can I pay for the tour with credit card?
    Yes, we accept VISA and Maestro. Please note that, in case you would like to make a credit card payment, you will need to do it at our office or by prepayment via credit card authorization form. Our guides can NOT accept credit cards. 
  9. Which currency is accepted for cash payment?
    We are fans of our local currency (BAM), but you can also pay in EUR, HRK, USD, GBP or even combined.

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