recommended route
Stage 37
Via Dinarica BH-W-12 Donje Bare via Suha and Prijevor to Trnovačko Lake
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Donje bare LakePhoto: Olja Latinovic, Via Dinarica
From the lake, the path heads east and orientation should not be difficult, as your goal is to descend into the canyon of Sutjeska River. Before turning left and starting your descent, it would be nice to visit the Borić viewpoint. Overlooking the Canyon of Sutjeska River from Borić, it’s possible to see the highest peak of B&H - Maglić, as well as Volujak Mountain.
Once you are back at the junction, there is a sign pointing towards Kovačev Panj. Follow the gully across the meadow and soon, red and white circles will appear on the trees, as you will enter a forest of tall beech trees.
Although the path is not frequently used, the markings are still good and visible, and path is very obvious and easy to follow. After two hours, you should reach the main road of Tjentiste. This road goes north to Tjentiste, which is where the administration center of the National Park Sutjeska can be found. Historical monuments, a hotel, a restaurant and additional facilities can also be found there.
However, the VD trail follows the road to Dubrovnik, heading south for another couple of kilometers. The hike continues from the parking at Suha (650 m), follows the forest road for a while and splits towards the ridge above on the left. The ridge leads you towards Prijevor – a pass beneath Mount Maglic, the highest summit of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2386 m). It joins the road again, which disappeares first as a track, then as a trail again. It descends to the valley of Suva (Dry) Jezerina. From Suva Jezerina, the trail climbs up to Trnovacko Lake which is your final destination. The border line with Montenegro is actually across the Suva Jezerina.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
Consider that this tour goes trough remote wilderness. Mind your step on difficult terrain and watch for snakes when reaching with your hands or sitting on the grass in the shade.There are couple of spots suspected of landmines at the end of meadows on Donje Bare, and by the road to Suha. Those areas are clearly marked with warning signs, so respect the signs!
The mountain rescue service is reached by calling 112. The park rangers can be reached on +387(0)58/233-102
Tips and hints
Park's pageStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
From the parking area, follow the dirt road that goes up the valley. Very soon the road will make a sharp turn left; there, you should continue straight following the white and red trail markers, taking the shortcut through the forest. In the forest there is a national park watchtower near which you should pass, before getting on the road again. From that moment, only twenty meters away, you will encounter a sign on your left, showing you a junction and hiking path towards a ridge up above. This point is only about 20 minutes from the starting point.
After you take this left turn, the path is marked by white-and-red circles and goes steep uphill all the way to the ridge. Approximately one hour later, you should reach a ridge and a new junction. The left path leads down into Perućica primeval forest and should be ignored, while you should take the right one, which follows the ridge (south-east direction). From this point, there’s no more white and red signs on the trees, but the orientation shouldn’t be difficult as the path is very visible and all the time goes along the ridge until you reach the Prijevor pass. At one point, the path comes to a flat part of the ridge and it’s harder to see, but looking to the right, should direct you towards the last parts of the ridge where the path is more overgrown by young trees and shrubs.
After approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes you should reach a meadow with the peak of Maglić (2386 m) dominating the landscape in the background; passing near the watchtower, you will reach the road and parking spot at Prijevor pass.
Just beneath the parking area in the westernmost point, you can refill your water as there is a source of fresh water that exists all year long.
From here, your trail goes south, following the dirt road where some shepherd’s huts can be seen above and later on, below the road. At a few spots, the road is taken away by rockslides and some 30 minutes away from Prijevor, the road divides into two paths. In the end, both paths will get you down to the Suva Jezerina, but the one on the right, which pitches downhill, will take you to the crossing that has a sign pointing left towards Trnovacko lake. You’ll reach the lake in less then 30 minutes from here.
Note
Public transport
No public transport to Donje Bare, but there are bus lines to Dubrovnik passing through Tjentiste.Getting there
From Tjnetiste follow signs to Donje Bare (to the right at the entrance to Tjentiste).Parking
At the end of the macadam road.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Standard hiking equipment. If you are not staying at Prijevor mountain huts, then camping equipment is needed as well.
Statistics
- 18 Waypoints
- 18 Waypoints
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others