And so, reports started coming in on extreme cold, stormy winds and heavy snowfall. At the time, it took 10 hours on foot from Sarajevo to the top of Bjelašnica in the summer. The observatory worked until 1993 when it was mined and completely destroyed by the aggressor together with the TV transmitter.

The mountain was once synonymous with rough winters and isolated villages frequented only by the most experienced hikers, hunters and adventurers. Winter, lasting from November to May, makes snow drifts as high as 4 meters, which is a particular challenge for lovers of winter sports (alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding). This time of year is particularly interesting for its landscape of mountains under snow blankets. Its changing nature adds to the beauty of the mountain – namely, hikers can be surprised by a snow blizzard right the middle of summer, as a result of the geographical position of Bjelašnica in the Dinaric Alps and its altitude.

During the 14^th Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games in 1984, Bjelašnica hosted competitions in alpine skiing disciplines for men. Downhill, slalom and giant slalom tracks were built at the time. The entire infrastructure of the ski centre and hotel facilities were destroyed during the last war.

Bjelašnica Men’s Downhill: 

Bjelašnica today is restoring its former glory of an Olympic Centre, with well-groomed trails and renovated vertical transportation and hotels, it meets all the necessary conditions for good winter recreation.

Winter sports

Ski Centre Bjelašnica offers about 14 km of trails for alpine skiing, two cable cars, five ski-lifts, two baby lifts, ski schools and ski-service.

In the winter season thousands of skiers flock to the Olympic track. Ski centre includes a downhill path from the top of the mountain to Babin dol. The trail is moderately difficult, with a combination of steep and placed parts, breath-taking, wide and a challenge for good skiers throughout its entire length. In its downhill part, in the finish area, the trail for night skiing has a moderate slope of 750 m in length, fully lighted.

In parallel with the downhill trail, there are three steeper slopes that competitors had used for training. The three are a real treat for excellent skiers looking for steep and difficult trails. The trails for giant slalom and slalom are located in the eastern part of the mountains and include a wide range of interesting trails, ranging from very steep to relatively laid-down.

Marked trails for ski schools, children and beginners are located in Babin Dol.

Ski touring

If you are into adventure tourism, Bjelašnica is the right choice. The mountain offers an extraordinary high-intensity experience. This is particularly true for alpine touring or off-piste skiing out of area and away from groomed trails in virgin snow, mostly enjoyed by snowboarders. Its natural position, peaks and plateaus of Bjelašnica have excellent conditions for alpine touring. The ski centre also leaves a part of trail for those looking to leave a first footprint in pristine snow.

Mountaineering

Maps: www.trekkingbosnia.com/en

The rocks of Kotlovi below the top of Bjelašnica and Djevojačke stijene below the Hranisava peak are an attractive place for climbers. Even the most remote regions of the mountain are accessible to hunters, where they can meet all kinds of wildlife of this region: deer, foxes, rabbits, chamois, wolves, wild boars, grouse and bear.

The northern slopes of the mountain have preserved mountain facilities built after World War II. Five mountain and ski huts, suitable for a lengthy stay, are open for hikers, tourists and hunters in this area of the mountain. Access is from Pazarić, thirty kilometres south of Sarajevo.

Pazarić – Šavnici
Length: 5 km

The first in the series is a mountain hut Šavnici. Some 30 minutes’ drive from Sarajevo to Pazarić (by car, bus, train) and one hour of hiking in total, you first reach the village of Ljubovčići, followed by a marked mountain trail to the mountain hut Šavnici, open every weekend as agreed with the janitor. The hut has eight beds, it is surrounded by a thick forest, with benches and cooling areas in front.

It is possible to take a whole-day trip from Šavnik to the mountain hut Podgradina, with about 90 minutes’ walk via Hober and further to other mountain huts Stanari (distance 2:30 hours), Sitnik (distance 3:30 hours). The climb is demanding, and the trail is well-marked. It is closed, however, in the winter due to risk of avalanches.

In summer, in addition to visiting the peaks of Hranisava meters above sea level, with another mountain hut there, and peak Krvavac, 2062 meters above sea level, it is also very interesting to visit the many nooks and crannies of the mountain, and especially to go down to Lukomir, the last authentic Bosnian village, at 1472 meters above sea level, situated on the very edge of the Rakitnica canyon.

Umoljani – Lukomir
Length: 10 km

Bjelašnica has a variety of different tours available, but this one is special for it offers a chance to see two exceptionally interesting villages, apart from natural beauty and beautiful landscape. The first village is Umoljani, located at 1275 meters above sea level, while the second one, Lukomir (1495 m) is a village at the highest elevation point in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Take the M18 main road From Sarajevo to Krupac, pass by the quarry and take the turn right to regional road R442a towards Bjelašnica and Igman. Follow the signs for the Maršal Hotel, and then continue straight from the hotel to Šabići. In Šabići, turn right and continue to the intersection to Umoljani at the bridge. Take another turn to the right here along the road leading up the hill to Umoljani.

The road from Umoljani to Lukomir leads us northwest on a marked trail via the top Obalj (1896 m). Follow the edge of the ridge to climb the top, from where we walk down to Lukomir.

Lukomir is unique for its stone houses, covered with cherry wood roof tiles. It is also unique since from December to April, sometimes even longer, the village is accessible only on skis or on foot. You will be welcomed in the village by women in traditional clothing as worn few centuries ago.

From the village, take the road back overlooking the Rakitnica River Canyon and follow the road all the way to Studeni potok that will leave you breathless.

In Umoljani there are several facilities to relax and dine. The natural beauty of its surroundings is the most striking in this whole area.

On the southern slopes of the mountain, next to Lukomir, there are other villages, destroyed or damaged in the last war, and now mostly restored, namely Umoljani, Šabići, Rakitnica, Milišići, Brda, Gradina, Kramari, Lukavac, Čuhovići and Blaca. Relatively good roads lead to these villages, whether asphalt or dirt road, but the walkways on or next to them are very interesting: there are stećak necropolis, renovated mills on the mountain streams, especially the panoramic roads along the rim of the Rakitnica Canyon.

Mountain biking

The brave ones, seeking greater adventures on bike can take alpine skiing trails, as well as service roads on Bjelašnica of over 30 km with a maximum incline up to 60%, leading to the very top of Bjelašnica (2064 meters).

Babin dol is a starting point for a route via Dujmovići to Deičići (41.7 km) or Lukomir and Umoljani to Šabić (49 km). The route from Šabići along the canyon of Rakitnica trail via Pijevac leads to Sinanovići in the length of around 20 km.

Paragliding

Bjelašnica offers a great way to experience tremendous adrenalin excitement by soaring to the sky from 2067 meters above the sea level. If you want to experience paragliding for the first time, we recommend you fly with a professional pilot.

Quad

When the weather is not suitable for flying, a quad ride on Bjelašnica can be a real refreshment during both summer and winter times. This unique experience of driving through the woods, over streams and pastures alongside stećci (medieval tombstones) and waterfalls all the way to Lukomir, the highest village in BiH, is a real treat for off-road enthusiasts.

Hospitality

Bjelašnica is increasing its hospitality by year. You can find refreshment already on the trail in the café restaurant Benetton, which also houses a ski-service. Planinska kuća is opposite to Benetton, a wooden house of a very pleasant interior, in mountain style which accentuates the spirit of the Sarajevo Winter Olympics.

Opposite to the trail is a complex of hotels, apartments and private accommodation with restaurants, ski-service, conference rooms, bars, swimming pools and saunas.

Welcome to Mt. Bjelašnica!

Pricelist

Cable cars and lifts (season ticket)

For more information contact ZOI 84.