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FROM THE BALKAN WILDERNESS WITH LOVE: Walking Via Dinarica!


Last Updated on May 22, 2022.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few years as a vagablonde, it’s that life really does work in mysterious ways. Mysterious ways that always lead you to where you are supposed to be and what you are supposed to be doing regardless of how long it takes and how far off track you think you get. You will always arrive at the destination you are meant to and for me on this particular day that happens to be Bosnia.

Sarajevo Blonde Gypsy

It all started with a single blog post. Almost exactly one year ago today I was sitting in Faro, Portugal when I received an email from a gentleman who had read my musings on why you shouldn’t miss Sarajevo on your next trip to Europe. An American named Tim who had found his way to Bosnia 20 years prior as a humanitarian aid worker, he was now an established travel writer and tourism development consultant working on putting together a press trip to Bosnia and wanted me to join.

Long story short, this press trip got to the final stages of coming to fruition and we pretty much had our bags packed, but it all fell through at the very last minute because of funding (in these parts money for tourism projects mostly comes from outside the country, not from within, so more hoops to jump through). I/we were pretty bummed but such is life and I did eventually make my way to the Balkans not too long thereafter. I also had a strong feeling that it wasn’t the end of the story…

BBI Sarajevo

Fast forward 6 months and I am sitting on top of the BBI Center in Sarajevo with Tim having a cappuccino. It was the final stop on my Blonde Gypsy Ambition Tour and he wanted to meet me while I was in town and talk about this project he had in the works called Via Dinarica. It sounded amazing and I was 100% on board, but as I am half Eastern European, I never believe anything until I see it so I didn’t hold my breath. At least not until I got a message from him again 3 weeks ago asking if I was ready. Of course I was ready, I was born ready. Just send me a ticket, yo.

Three days ago I finally received that ticket and now here I am, sitting in Sarajevo mentally preparing for the unbelievable trek that lies ahead.

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

 

What is Via Dinarica?

Via Dinarica is a concept created with the intention of naturally connecting, or “connecting naturally”, the countries and communities of the Dinaric Alps via a multinational hiking trail that extends from Slovenia to Albania. Similar to Via Alpina that connects the Alps from France to the edge of Slovenia, one of the main goals of the project is to promote and develop the local mountain communities and small businesses that are active on local, national, and international level in the field of hospitality, service and tourism, as well as agriculture and cultural heritage. Sustainable tourism at its finest in the last true wilderness frontier in Europe.

Via Dinarica Map

 

What will I be doing for Via Dinarica?

Um, brace yourselves. The Blonde Gypsy is about to go Green Gypsy/Nature Gypsy/hardcore.

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

 

I’m being brought on for the Bosnia and Herzegovina leg, the physical heart of the Dinaric Alps. Between Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina has perhaps the most diverse landscapes in a concentrated area. The most challenging part of the week that I will spend on the trail comes tomorrow, my first day, when I hike from 300m above sea level up to 2,000 on Cvrsnica Mountain – the highest peak in Herzegovina. After that, all other scheduled hikes (of which there are many) outta be like a walk in the park, a nature park, and maybe even a remote forest with a Franciscan monastery. Also on the agenda is some rock-climbing, probably more like stone-climbing in my case, lakes, waterfalls, maybe some rafting, and a special grand finale that will remain a surprise.

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

Photo Credit: Via Dinarica / Elma Okic

 

Via Dinarica is not just something I am going to help promote, Via Dinarica is something I am going to help develop as this initiative is in the very early stages and part of the motivations behind this trip is to determine the strengths and the weaknesses of the trail as a world-class tourism attraction. This is a special project that extends far beyond press trips and tourism boards and in a way I’ve been invited to make tourism history here which is such a magical feeling given my love for the region. I am truly honored to be involved and I hope you will follow along here, on Facebook, on Instagram…you know the drill. Lots of good stuff to come.

Wish me luck.

The Via Dinarica project has been made possible by the generous support of USAID and UNDP BiH.

To read how this entire adventure played out, click here.

13 Comments

  • Reply
    Audrey
    September 22, 2013 at 4:22 am

    Sounds like it’s going to be an amazing journey on that trail! I have done a few day long and 2 day long hikes, but nothing quite this ambitious. I’m looking forward to seeing photos.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 29, 2013 at 9:48 am

      Aye, it was TOUGH but I survived. Lots of photos coming, I promise you that :)

  • Reply
    Liz
    September 22, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    What an amazing project! Best wishes and I look forward to following your adventure.
    I remember being amazed with the landscape of Sarajevo and Bosnia overall. You are in for quite a hike!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 24, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Thanks so much! I’m being amazed by the minute, that is for sure. Happy to hear you will be following along :)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 29, 2013 at 9:47 am

      Thanks, Liz! The scenery has been incredible and I survived the hardest part so it’s all smooth sailing (or hiking) from here :)

  • Reply
    Shaun
    September 25, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Kick F#$% ASS!

    What a great challenge and wishing you the best of luck!

    You have to feel like an explorer eh? I would… not many people have seen what you’re about to.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 29, 2013 at 9:45 am

      Thanks so much, Shaun! Definitely feeling a little explorer-ish and so far so great – hanging in Croatia a bit too.

  • Reply
    Carmen Allan-Petale
    September 27, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Wow this looks so tough but I’m sure you will be fine. What an adventure! Can’t wait to read about it :-)

    • Reply
      Larissa
      September 29, 2013 at 9:43 am

      Surviving thus far :)

  • Reply
    Miss Mureena
    September 29, 2013 at 9:56 am

    So envious! All this makes me want to hit the road again.

    • Reply
      Larissa
      October 8, 2013 at 6:10 pm

      Do it :)

  • Reply
    Nicole Bašić
    October 9, 2013 at 3:16 am

    Stumbled across your blog (&instagram @nicbasic) today and it’s already a new obsession! I love anything coming from the Balkan’s with it’s rich history and since my husband is from there, have strong ties to it as well; your blog is definitely a beautiful take on this amazing countryside.
    I’ve already told my husband on our annual trip to BiH we must hike this trail next, at least a little! ;)

    Keep doing what you’re doing!

    • Reply
      Larissa
      October 12, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Nice to hear from you and thanks for the encouragement :) The Balkans are seriously amazing and that’s great that you guys do an annual trip to BiH! Prokosko Lake was my favorite area to hike around, I have to say, and perfect for non-hardcore hikers. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, I think hiking from Diva Grabovica over Cvrsnica Mountain to Blidinje Nature Park would be just stunning, too. I got a ride around, but still saw and walked around both. Thanks again for the nice comment, glad to have you following!

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