Tom`s travels: Čvrsnica (12/04/2025)

We left Sarajevo early, well before sunrise, with the hiking club Gorstaci stopping along the way for a coffee/breakfast break. After a couple of hours we reached the Blidinje plateau and from there we could already clearly see the Čvrsnica mountain range right ahead. What surprised us was that the peaks were all covered in snow, something we hadn't expected to find much, but the last few days the temperatures had dropped and it had snowed quite a bit. Once we reached the trailhead we got out of the cars and together with the group started our hike. Shotly after, walking through the forest, the first snow patches appeared. After a bit more hiking we reached an opening where we had a beautiful view over a small valley and the snow-capped peaks behind it. After a short break there we set on, continuing our walk, and headed further in and up the mountain. After a bit more trail through forested areas and rcoky parts we reached another clearing with a small hut and where we had another break. From the on, heading further uphill, the way became completely covered in snow making the scenery feel like a totally different season and the walk harder due to the slipping on snow. The sun was shining and thus despite the wintery vibes around was rather hot. After a while we eventually reached the highest point of the day, following then the edge of the mountain range overlooking the deep valley to the south. We continued on, still walking on ankle deep snow, but this time on a flatter way, eventually passing the small Crvenjak lake, not visible at all due to the snow, and reaching the Hajdučka vrata, so-called Outlaws door. This stone ring, five meters in diameter, different climate and geomorphological factors is one of the most famous landmarks in the area. We decided to have a longer break there, first taking a few pictures with the arch and then eating our lunches. From there we also had a beautiful view in front of us, with the valley below, green and lush looking as if set in a completely different climate zone than the snowy top where we were. We could easily make out the small elongated lake formed by the Neretva river at the Grabovica Hydroelectric power plant, and above it and far in the distance the snow-capped peaks of Prenj and the peaks of Velež just above Mostar. After the break it was time to head back. We took the same way we had come up from, enjoying the still bright sun as we descended. The way back, especially the part in the snow, was harder as it was quite slipper going down. We enjoyed some more great views over the surrounding mountains at some spots where we stopped and eventually made it back down to the forested area where there was no more snow. Finally we reached the cars and after saying goodbye we headed back to Sarajevo.