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Stage 32

Via Dinarica BH-W-07 Ruište and Boračko lake

Select · 8 reviews · Mountainbiking · Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Via Dinarica

Photo: Adnan Bubalo, Via Dinarica

Tony Pretyman
on the September 10, 2021

Very straight forward section. The Via Dinarica follows a ...

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This is the mountain biking and hiking trail that goes from Ruiste to Boracko lake. It passes by two nice necropolises of Bosnian medieval tombstones (called Stecci) and the ruin of Santica Villa.

moderate

Distance 24.6 km

6:00 h

387 m

1,019 m

1,171 m

407 m

The trail follows the road going from Ruiste to Boracko lake. It follows the easternmost slopes of Mount Prenj, but there are no views of Prenj landscapes. Instead, there are nice views on Crvanj mountain and Boracko lake. The trail passes by two necropolises of medieval tombstones called Stecci: one below the junction to Nevesinje and another in the Bahtijevica area. The second is particularly interesting as there are some nice carvings, including one depicting a sword fight.

At the far end of Bahtijevica, where the trail turns to the west, there is a nice view point on mount Visocica, and canyons of the Neretva and Rakitnica rivers. The next portion of the Via Dinarica trail is actually visible from this view point.

The road and the trail splits at the junction not far from this view point. One is a shorter way directly to Boracko lake via the village of Kula, but the Via Dinarica trail continues straight towards the Boracka Draga and Borasnica mountain to connect with Borci village. At Borci, there is Santica villa and Lazar’s grave, but not far from there is also another fascinating - and one of the most beautiful - Stecci necropolises and a short but attractive canyon of Boracki creek. The trail descends down from Borci to the holiday and recreation area of Boracko lake and goes around to its “administration” center with a shop, restaurants and guesthouses.

Author’s recommendation

Before taking this tour, read a little bit about mediaval history of Bosnia. It will be intersting to know more about Stecci, since there are a few necropolises of them on and around this trail.

Author

Via Dinarica BiH

Update: December 22, 2017

Difficulty

S0 moderate

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

Ruiste, 1,171 m

Lowest point

Boracko lake, 407 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rest stops

Ljetna bašta Restaurant
Motel Snježna kuća

Safety information

Mind your step on difficult terrain and watch for snakes when reaching with your hands or sitting on the grass in the shade.

The mountain rescue service is reached by calling 112.

Tips and hints

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ste%C4%87ak

Start

Ruiste (1,053 m)

Coordinates:

43.464342, 17.961053

DMS

43°27'51.6"N 17°57'39.8"E

UTM

33T 739531 4816641

w3w

///chinchilla.inspects.rivers

Destination

Boracko lake / Boracko jezero

Turn-by-turn directions

Just follow the road from Ruiste to Borci. Continue straight (left) on the first junction, and keep to the main road. At the junction to Kula, continue straight and on the junction to Crno polje (Prenj) turn right. Just before the cemetery at Borci, there is a trail going right down, but to stay on the Via Dinarica, continue a couple of hundred meters more and then turn to the ruins of Santica villa. The trail continues on the other side of the villa’s garden, behind Lazar’s grave. Once down in the lake's valley, follow the road on the left side of the lake, though going around the lake is also an option as you would pass by the main beach of Boracko.

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

To trailhead:

Taxi from Mostar ( http://mojtaxi.net/?lang=en )

From arrival point:

"Bjelimici Bus"- +387 36 737 009 (try to book your seat and agree on a pick-up location)

Bjelimići - Konjic - Sarajevo (except weekends) u 8,00 h (sunday 15,00)

Bjelimići - Glavatičevo - Konjic (mon-fri) at 13,30 h (contracted)
Konjic - Glavatičevo - Bjelimići (mon-fri) at 6,10 h (contracted)
Sarajevo -Konjic - Bjelimići (except sundays) at 14,00

Getting there

Drive from Mostar towards Sarajevo and turn right towards the locality of Potoci.

Parking

Close by hotel Snjezna kuca (Snow House).

Coordinates

43.464342, 17.961053

DMS

43°27'51.6"N 17°57'39.8"E

UTM

33T 739531 4816641

w3w

///chinchilla.inspects.rivers

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Lazar Drljača--zatočenik ljepote. Konjic ; Mostar : Skupština opštine, 1974

Author’s map recommendations

n/a

Equipment

Standard hiking or biking equipment - for one day.

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

Would you like to the ask the author a question?

Rating

2.9

(8)

Tony Pretyman

September 10, 2021 · Community

Very straight forward section. The Via Dinarica follows a tarmac road for the first 10 km though only a few cars passed me. The trail/ road goes right past some Stecci Tombs so you can tick those off your World Heritage List bucket list! I also opted for the short cut which reduced the day down to 4 hours instead of 6+. I’m not sure what I missed but I was keen to conserve my energy for the long leg up to Lukomir. Was followed by a (friendly) dog all the way from Rujiste to Lake Boracko!

Comment

Sven Nit

August 08, 2021 · Community

Did the trail in reverse. Roadwalk was annoying, lot of traffic. Would take the shortcut next time. As soon as the gravel road starts not much traffic and nice views, but still a bit boring. A lot of sun and no water on the trail. Stayed at Planinarski Kuča. Nice and welcoming people. 10€ a bed.

Comment

Maruša Orel

July 14, 2021 · Community

Boring hike on mostly gravel road, I was hiking as fast as possible because I wanted that it ends.😅 The only good thing about this stage is that it ends by Boračko lake. Needed 4h to Eko selo Boračko jezero. Nice pleace to pitch a tent, 10€/night (1person), lots of shade, amazing beach, great to swim and chill by the lake. Shop 10min from here, really small one. I passed by Kamp Boračko jezero and it was sooo crouded I just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

When did you do this route? July 13, 2021

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Reviews

Difficulty

S0 moderate

Distance

24.6 km

Duration

6:00 h

Ascent

387 m

Descent

1,019 m

Highest point

1,171 m

Lowest point

407 m

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21 Waypoints

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