What is national park?
According to Wikipedia, a national park is a park in use for conservation purposes. The National Park Sutjeska in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established on January 13, 1962, to safeguard its extraordinary wildlife and stunning landscapes.
National Park Sutjeska
National Park Sutjeska, established on January 13, 1962. Sutjeska is the oldest and biggest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He covering 16,052.34 hectares of land at the junction of the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The park is bounded by rivers Piva, Drina, and Neretva, and mountains Bioč, Vučevo, Maglić, Volujak, Lebršnik, and Zelengora.
Over 66% of the park is covered with forest, meadows, and pastures. The outstanding natural values and their preservation have led to NP Sutjeska being included in the II category of IUCN since 2000. The park is home to the most diverse complex of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is one of the most diverse in Southeast Europe, making it a famous national park in the region. The park’s exceptional beauty and diversity of landscape shapes include pitiful valleys, dense forest complexes, mountain pastures, and high mountain massifs.
Primeval forest Perućica
If we speak about magnificent and untouched wilderness, than we have to say that NP Sutjeska hosts one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe, called Perućica.
Primeval forest Perućica
The Perućica Forest is the largest rainforest in Europe and a strictly protected area within the Sutjeska National Park. It is untouched by human intervention and is home to trees that are over 300 years old, with the tallest one measuring 57.4 meters. With over 170 species of trees and shrubs and over 1000 species of herbs, many of which are endemic, the forest is considered a site of particular scientific interest. Yale University scientists recognize Perućica as a unique natural laboratory for studying the role of rainforests in the global carbon cycle. Among the forest’s unspoiled natural wonders is the 98-meter-high Skakavac waterfall located in its heart.
Waterfall Skakavac
This is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in BiH and a real tourist attraction. Skakavac is the highest continually flowing waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina at a height of 98 meters. It is situated within a deep forest surrounded by beautiful mountainous terrain.
Despite its modest water flow, Skakavac waterfall is a breathtaking natural wonder. In winter, the frozen cascade creates a spectacular display of ice, adding to its allure. Surrounded by a diverse spruce-fir forest, the area around the waterfall has been developed into a comfortable picnic site, offering a perfect setting to enjoy the beauty of this natural wonder. Standing below the waterfall and listening to the soothing sounds of water falling is an experience not to be missed. A day spent in this picturesque location will surely be a memorable one.
Mt. Maglić (Misty Mountain)
Located in the area of the Sutjeska National Park, Mt. Maglić (2,386 m.a.s.l.) is the highest peak of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its name, “Misty Mountain”, is fitting, as the mountain is often covered in fog. However, on a clear day, visitors can capture breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, offering a panoramic vista of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s natural beauty.
The special hunting ground “Zelengora”
Zelengora, covering 53,240 ha, is home to a diverse range of fauna including invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds. The National Park Sutjeska manages the hunting ground of Zelengora, which spans 53,700 ha and provides protection and breeding for game, bears, wild boar, roe deer, and cetaceans. The rivers Sutjeska, Hrčavka, and Jabušnica, as well as some of the Zelengora lakes, are abundant with creek trout, making it an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts.
If you are adrenaline lover and if scaling cliffs only to jump off them into bubbling rapids and scramble to the other side of the river is your idea of fun, than you must go on Canyoning Hrcavka.
Mountain Eyes of Zelengora
But, the most valuable treasure of this park are eight glacial lakes, also known as “mountain eyes” of Zelengora. Scattered all around the mountain, these lakes are a genuine paradise for all nature lovers. The most famous and attractive of them is lake Trnovačko Lake.
Trnovačko Lake
Trnovačko Lake is a stunning glacial lake situated at an elevation of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) and measures 700 metres (2,300 ft) in length and 400 metres (1,300 ft) in width. It is nestled amidst a vast amphitheater of rugged peaks, creating an awe-inspiring scenery that will take your breath away. The lake’s water has a mesmerizing green-blue hue, and its heart shape is captivating enough to make you fall in love at first sight.
Trnovačko Lake is a popular destination for hikers, but it’s not easily accessible, as it can only be reached by two routes – either from the direction of Plužine (Montenegro) or from the direction of Foča (Bosnia & Herzegovina). However, the effort is worth it, as the lake’s surface reflects the majestic mountains that surround it, creating a serene and mesmerizing atmosphere that you will never forget.
Despite its high altitude of 1,520 meters, the average lake temperature is 20°C+, and the mountain sun allows for all-day swimming and refreshing. So, take a plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Trnovačko Lake, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds you.
