Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina

The trip begins late afternoon in Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Around 6pm, we gather as a group to learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner in a local restaurant next to the river of Trebisnjica. Want more time in Trebinje or Dubrovnik? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Hotel Leotar/Hotel Apis (or similar) (D).

In the morning, we transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to Sutjeska National Park. Before we reach our hotel in the Tjentiste Valley, we hike from Papin Do Hut to Jagodino Lake. From the lake, we continue over open mountainous terrain to the summit of Kuk (5,960ft/1,817m), right on the border with Montenegro, for panoramic views of the Zelengora mountain and the rockface wall of Volujak.

We descend partially the same way down, a bit more than an hour, with the Lebrsnik and Volujak slopes as constant companions on the horizon. After the lunch break close to the hut, we take a transfer to the Park Valley, through the Sutjeska River canyon, down to the hotel for a well-deserved dinner (approximately 30 minutes).

In the afternoon, before dinner, we take a 10 to 15-minute stroll from the hotel to visit the Partisan Memorial of Sutjeska. This giant, angular sculpture pays tribute to the thousands of Partisan soldiers who died during the Battle of Sutjeska in the Second World War. Stay: Hotel Mladost/Katuni Prijevor (or similar) (B/L).

Today is particularly special as we transfer to Lokva Derneciste (approximately one hour) and join the Via Dinarica, a 1,245mi (2,000km) long hiking route connecting all six republics of the former Yugoslavia. Our local team played a key role in bringing it to existence, including mapping ideal routes for sections of the trail and assisting local NGOs with securing funding, and it has since been named one of the best hiking trails in Europe by National Geographic. Our route takes us to the summit of Maglić, the highest mountain in Bosnia at (7,835ft/2,388m), a challenging ascent, which includes steep, rocky sections with fixed cables. This is, by far, the most demanding part of today's trek but each step takes us further above the surrounding peaks until we reach the top. The summit provides an ideal spot for our picnic lunch with stretching views over Montenegro and the emerald-green waters of Trnovacko Lake, our next stop. After descending to the waters in the afternoon, we head for Prijevor where we meet our transfer to our hotel (approximately 50 minutes). Stay: Hotel Mladost/Katuni Prijevor (or similar) (B/L).

We transfer to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo (approximately two hours), at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula.

On arrival, we take a tour of the major historic, cultural and war sites in the city, helping us to piece together its complex and intriguing past. The afternoon is then free to explore this varied and beautiful capital city. Stay: Hotel Diamond Rain (or similar) (B/D).

Today we explore Trebevic, another Olympic mountain and a great area so close to city hustle and bustle and yet so far away from daily life in Sarajevo. We take the back road to Jahorina via Vraca to Brus, where after a 20-minute drive we park our vehicle and start our 650-meter ascent to the peak of Trebević (5,344ft/1,629m).

Our walk takes us along a long and winding mountain trail. Although we will be hiking partially through pine and spruce-covered forests, enjoying the complete silence, you will be treated occasionally to beautiful views of Sarajevo below us and the mountains we visit the day after.

We arrive at the top where you will stand and see Sarajevo, as you had no chance before. Having been soaked in the sights we descend via an alternative, somewhat shorter trail down the western ridge. We will make a break and celebration drink at one of the local mountain huts nearby with magnificent views. We end the day with a visit to the concrete remains of the Sarajevo Olympic bobsled track, today fully covered with graffiti of local artists. We then have a short transfer back to Sarajevo (approximately 15 to 20 minutes). Stay: Hotel Diamond Rain (or similar) (B/L).

Today we take a transfer in the morning (approximately one hour) and have a full-day walk in the Bjelasnica Mountains, home of the 1984 Winter Olympics, ascending Obalj peak (6,220ft/1,896m) and visiting Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia & Herzegovina at 4,820ft (1,469m). From the traditional Bosnian Mosque in the village of Umoljani, we walk to Gradina, a village used for centuries as a base for summer pastures. From here, we start ascending toward Obalj ridge and slowly we rise above Studeni potok (Studeni stream) with views opening in front of us. With mountains to the south, Treskavica and Visocica offer us fantastic scenes.

Once we reach the slopes of Obalj, we slowly continue to the summit. From here, we see Lukomir village below, home to ancient stecci (medieval tombstones), and where villagers still follow a traditional agricultural life. On the edge of the village, there is a fabulous view of Rakitnica canyon, Obalj and Visocica.

After a simple but tasty homemade late lunch, we transfer back to the hotel in Sarajevo (approximately 1hr 30min). Stay: Hotel Diamond Rain (or similar) (B/L).

Hike the King's Hunting Trail on Čvrsnica Mountain, following a route once used by King Karadjordjević.

After a 1hr 30min transfer, begin our hike in the Diva Grabovica Valley, climbing through beech forest and passing several natural springs where we can refill our bottles with fresh mountain water. After around two hours, we reach the Zlijeb viewpoint, which provides wide views over the valley and Čvrsnica's distinctive limestone cliffs – including the largest rock face in the Balkans, rising more than 3,000ft (1,000m). We then take a transfer to Mostar, where we settle into our hotel. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to skip the hike, you can opt to raft on the Neretva River instead – an activity arranged through your tour leader. Stay: Hotel Kapetanovina (or similar) (B/L).

We spend the morning exploring Mostar, including a visit to the Old Bridge, which was rebuilt after it collapsed during the conflict of the early 1990s. This city on the Neretva River was regularly in the news during this period and we can still see the scars of war.

These days, however, Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place with a fascinating history and architecture. We leave the city in the afternoon and head for Dubrovnik, Croatia, our final destination and a great way to end a week of trekking. The transfer takes approximately 2hr 30min.

On arrival at around 5pm, we have free time to explore. The perfectly preserved old town is a Unesco World Heritage site with fortresses, palaces and city walls to admire. Stay: Hotel Komodor/Hotel Adria (or similar) (B).

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in this beautiful Croatian city, please ask your sales representative about post-tour nights (B).