Bjelašnica-------- Lukomir - Umoljani ------------Visočica
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 13.87 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,516 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,323 ft
- Max elevation
- 5,217 ft
- TrailRank
- 56
- Min elevation
- 3,649 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Coordinates
- 418
- Uploaded
- September 6, 2022
near Gornji Lukomir, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Босния һәм Герцеговина)
Viewed 1825 times, downloaded 126 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The village of Lukomir is situated along the southern ridge of Bjelašnica and, at 1,495 m, it’s the highest inhabited settlement in BiH and the only one above 1,300 m.
The village lies within Konjic Municipality and it can be reached from either Konjic (ca 30 km) or Sarajevo (45 km). A drive along the road from the center of Sarajevo, which passes over Babin Do to Bjelašnica, takes about 90 minutes. Most of the road is paved and the final stretch of 11 km is a windy gravel road that takes you through a barren karst region, as well as flowery meadows.
Lukomir can also be reached via two mountain paths that lead from the village of Umoljani on Bjelašnica.
A living ethnological museum
Lukomir is like a living ethnological museum, where the customs of nomadic tribes and Dinaric highlanders are still practiced. It’s an important part of BiH’s historical, cultural and architectural legacy and provides a unique “heritage atmosphere”. Also, the stećci scattered about the village indicate that it was already inhabited by the 14th and 15th centuries.
The residents of Lukomir come from Podveležje, an arid plateau in Herzegovina. The semi-nomadic tribe of shepherds would move here during the summers with their large flocks in search of water that could be found on Bjelašnica’s rich pastures. Most of them settled permanently in Rakitnica Canyon and then later in what is now Lukomir.
With the establishment of a seasonal settlement, which would later grow into a proper village, most of the members of the Čomor and Masleša families relocated and they are now the only ones in Lukomir.
At first there was only Donji (lower) Lukomir, which was about 3 km from the current village.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Gornji (upper) Lukomir was mentioned as a summer village where residents of Donji Lukomir would bring their flocks to graze. Offering a better connection to the rest of the world, they had moved to Gornji Lukomir by 1950.
The village is unique for stone houses that are covered in oak, fir and beech shingles. The homes have a place for a fire in the center and the stone walls have small windows. The residents built homes that were suitable to the special terrain and inhospitable mountain climate.
Life on a seasonal basis
For a few years now, the residents have been living here on a seasonal basis. From May to October the villagers work the land and tend their flocks, but they leave Lukomir during the winter because the meter-high snowfalls make it inaccessible.
Of the 50 homes, 21 are inhabited during the summer and up to 4,000 sheep can graze in the surrounding meadows when the weather is good. They are kept in stone enclosures at night and guarded by Bosnian sheep dogs.
The village has all of the necessary amenities – telephone, electricity, water and a sewage system. There is also a cemetery and the residents built a mosque in 1969, which was renovated in 2014.
A vantage point above the village provides a view of the Visočica Mountain chain, which drops 800 m to meet Rakitnica Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe after Tara River Canyon.
Lukomir is now a top rural tourism destination.
There are a few places where visitors can enjoy some hospitality and traditional specialties and they can also buy items made by the hard-working villagers as mementos of time spent in Bosnia’s last village.
Waypoints
Intersection
5,008 ft
Road 2 Konjic, Boračko lake, Mostar, Neretva river
Waypoint
4,795 ft
Road 2 Sarajevo
Risk
Mountain hut
Monument
3,868 ft
Stečci
The tombstones stećci are medieval stone tombstones dating from the period between XII and XVI century on the territory of the old Bosnian state. They represent unique and exceptional monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their shapes, ornaments, dimensions, inscriptions, number and, most importantly, the fact that they are completely rooted in medieval society, singles them out from anything similar in the contemporary European and world contexts. Recognized by the world public for these reasons, the phenomenon of stećak tombstones has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bosnian-Herzegovinian Phenomenon Being located mostly on the area of present day Bosnia and Herzegovina, it can be considered as primarily Bosnian phenomenon. According to recent data, it is estimated that there are, about 100,000 preserved tombstones, and that earlier this number was significantly larger. Absolutely integrated into society, the tombstones stećci spread and became most accepted Bosnian monument among all people of the medieval society. It was the tombstone stećak particularly that represented the pre-figuration of the eternal house in which the body awaits judgment day and redemption. People prayed and danced around them. Everyone embraced tombstone stećak, from the bans, lords, kings and all the way to the poorest peasants. They are simply finest and the most authentic representative of the medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three Dimensions of Stećak Tombstones In general, all the tombstones stećci have three dimensions. The first one is above the ground, always present, comprised in the tombstone itself and its various forms. The other dimension is the grave below. Each stećak is a gravestone. Therefore, there are always one or more bodies buried down below. Ignorant of the fact that under the tombstone there lays a grave, people frequently behaved inadequately and destroyed some of the tombstones. The third dimension, immaterial one. Mirrors in the legends and old folks tales. Unfortunately, this aspect of tombstone analysis was frequently disregarded, eventually leaving us deprived of this incredibly lively jewel of the folk tradition.
River
3,716 ft
Rakitnica canyon
Rakitnica, Europe's most unexplored canyon From the crystal-clear waters and dizzying heights to the breath-taking canyons & marvellous peaks, Bosnia & Herzegovina is a home of some of the best canyoning spots in Europe. Let’s assume that you are a passionate adventurer and looking for gorge walking at its best. In that case, you must discover Rakitnica, Europe’s most unexplored canyon. If you feel like testing your gorge walking skills, why not making Rakitnica Canyon your next destination? After all, high-thrills adventures are an excellent way to get to know the country of the untouched wilderness and heavenly beautiful sceneries. Perfect fusion of adrenaline and natural beauty Canyoning is an extreme sport that is suitable for well-prepared nature lovers only. Considered as an extreme adventure, it offers a perfect fusion of adrenaline and natural beauty. Usually, it is performed in remote and rugged regions, where water has carved out impressive patterns over millions of years. Instead of using just one activity, in this case, you will be trekking, climbing swimming, diving, jumping into the water and descending down the ropes. Gorge walking will make you feel the rush of adrenaline and experience nature in a totally new way. Second deepest canyon in Europe Located in the southern region of the country and stretched between Mt Bjelašnica and Mt Visočica, the Rakitnica River (the main tributary of the divine Neretva River) had created a spectacular 26 km long canyon. Only 20 km from the town of Konjic and 80 km from Sarajevo, blessed with turquoise water and lush greenery, this is one of the most beautiful canyons that you will ever see. Dropping up to the amazing 800 m, the Rakitnica Canyon is the second deepest canyon in Europe as well. As if this was not enough, one of the hiking trails will guide you to the village of Lukomir (1,500 m) the highest and the most isolated permanent settlement in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Campsite
Waypoint
3,664 ft
Tušiočka River
Waypoint
4,465 ft
Umoljani
The scenery surrounding this village is breathtaking, the terrain is perfect for mountaineering, hiking and mountain biking, and one can enjoy some delicious local food in a few of the guest facilities. At the entrance to the village, coming from the direction of Sarajevo, there is a mosque with an unusual minaret made of tin. The foundation of this structure, which has been made a National Monument of BiH, is comprised of more than 20 stećci (medieval tombstones). Not far away, there are also some old wooden mill wheels at the source of the spring called Sedrenik, which trickles from a rock. Also nearby is Dolovi, a sight that features stećci and some remains of structures from the Middle Ages. Umoljani also serves as the starting point for some of the best mountain paths that lead to Bjelašnica, including those that go to Lukomir, Rakitnica Canyon and Studeni Potok.
Waypoint
4,153 ft
Bjelašnica
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