Blidinje Nature Park

Blidinje Nature Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this beautiful gem of Herzegovina should be on your travel list. About 360 km2 of this incredibly rich and biologically diverse park lies in the heart of the Dinaric Mountains in the northern part of Herzegovina. Almost half of the Park is covered with forest, and due to its rich biodiversity, the entire area was recognized and protected as a Nature Park in 1995.

Located at an altitude of 1185 m above sea level, this unique vast plain is truly breathtaking. It is an oasis of peace and natural beauty, especially if you visit it in spring or summer. Ideal for relaxing and walking in nature, you will surely rejuvenate after visiting it. Blidinje is home to the endemic species of munica pine, and the air here is really fresh and healthy. It is a great place for mountain biking, and you can also enjoy horseback riding through the amazing nature. In winter, it is a destination for skiing and enjoying the snow.

In the central part of the park there is Dugo polje, and in the southeastern part the beautiful Blidinjsko lake. The combination of these two provides its visitors with an ideal combination and creates a perfect environment for relaxation and rest. Around two of them are Čvrsnica mountain and Vran mountain. They are ideal for hiking and pleasant walks through nature. In these mountains there is also a ski resort that offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy winter sports.

Mountain massifs

The Čvrsnica mountain massif is the highest and largest in the Nature Park. The most significant geomorphological feature in the region is located on the eastern side of the mountain above the Grabovica canyon.

This feature is a stone arch that closely resembles a large gate or circle called Hajdučka vrata (literally Haidučka vrata). This is a protected natural feature in the park. Countless hikers and nature lovers come to see it every year.

The Čvrsnica massif is divided into two parts. The first, also called Muharnica, is located in the northeastern part of the park and consists mainly of dolomite rocks. Veliki Vilinac is the highest peak in the massif with an altitude of 2116 m (6942 feet).

The second part of the massif, located opposite Velika Vilina on the southwest ridge, is Velika Čvrsnica. The highest peak in this part of the massif is Pločno, which is mostly built of limestone.

The highest peaks of the Blidinje Nature Park are located in the Čvrsnica massif. They include:

• Pločno (2,228 m/7,309 ft)
• Mandaruša (2,204 m/7,230 ft)
• Ćuprija (2,194 m/7,198 ft)
• Veliki Jelinak (2,170 m/7,119 ft)
• Kapci (2,156 m/7,073 ft )
• Veliki Vilinac (2,113 m/6,932 ft)
• Ivina Kosa (2,148 m/7,047 ft)

What to see and do in the Blidinje Nature Park
Blidinje Nature Park is exceptional not only because of its beautiful landscape and fun activities, but also because it preserves cultural heritage dating back centuries.

Some of the highlights in the park include the following.

1. Hajdučka Vrata (Outlaw’s Gate)
One of the most beautiful viewpoints and an excellent end to the hike certainly describe Hajdučka vrata. It is a round stone that has been considered a natural monument since 1985. According to legend, he helped the Outlaws become bulletproof while fighting the Ottomans. In addition to being a real miracle of nature, its location with a view of the valleys on the eastern side of the Čvrsnica mountain tempts visitors.

2. Lake Blidinje
Between Čvrsnica and Vran mountains, in the valley of Polja, lies Blidinjsko lake, after which the park got its name. It is a natural lake, according to some of glacial origin, with a size of 2.5 to 6 km². Its position between the mountains offers an incredible panorama of the surrounding mountains.

3. Stećci
On Blidinje there are stećci or medieval stone sleepers dating from the 12th to the 14th century. Especially in Dugi Polje, which is a large necropolis consisting of 150 of these Christian tombstones located on the road to Kedžara. They vary in size and shape – from slabs to crates. Also, they are often decorated with crosses, rosettes or tell a story through symbols. Therefore, in 2016, Dugo Polje was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its cultural importance.

4. Cave of the outlaw Mijat Tomić
The cave of the outlaw Mijat Tomić is located in Dugi polje, at the foot of the Vran mountain, in the immediate vicinity of the Hajdučka Vrleti restaurant, and is interesting both for its history and for the animals that live there. It is the subject of numerous speleological analyzes and research.

According to legend, Mijat Tomić, known for his courage and fearlessness, lived in this area in the middle of the 17th century. It is believed that the cave has an opening that leads to another part of Vran, towards Rama.

5. Diva Grabovčeva
According to legend, Diva Grabovčeva was a Croatian girl who lived in the 17th century. Her specialty is that, despite being forced, she refused to marry the Turkish Tahir-bey Kopčić, thus becoming a symbol of purity, martyrdom and Catholicism. Every year, a holy mass is held in honor of Diva, always on the first Sunday after St. Peter's Day, and several thousand pilgrims from the entire region participate in it. The heroine Diva Grabovčeva has been sung in numerous songs, books and films, and one of the most special is the opera Diva Grabovčeva, which is also the first opera in the Croatian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

6. Masna Luka
The mountain pearl at the foot of Čvrsnica, with the beautiful church of St. Elijah, which perfectly blends into the natural environment, is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the Blidinje Nature Park. This part is characterized by a great wealth of pine and fir forest and has several sources of drinking water. The Masna Luka nature reserve, with its endemic pine, is the perfect place to rest your body and soul and completely surrender to nature. Here you can visit the Franciscan Gallery with valuable works of art from this region or enjoy one of the sources of drinking water, the most famous of which is Jasle.

Would you like to experience the Blidinje Nature Park firsthand, enjoy the beautiful nature, picturesque views of the source of Blidinje lake and learn all about its rich history? Contact our partners - ERO Travel Tour Agency.

ERO Traveand teamrofessionals will create a trip according to your preferences.