Voluntary activity at Via Dinarica project site
Project info
Via Dinarica is a long-distance trail, with the three main trails (White, Green, and Blue), stretching across the Western Balkans from Slovenia to Albania. Via Dinarica is a platform that serves to promote regional natural attractions, tourism services, gastronomic, cultural and other experiences internally in BiH, but also regionally and globally.
The goal of Via Dinarica is to connect cities and rural communities in the region, raise awareness on good business practices and environmental protection, create a tourist offer based on the unique natural beauties, traditional products, and cultural heritage, as well as link stakeholders in the region for the purpose of jump starting sustainable economic development.
Location site info
Vlašić is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The majority of Vlašić area is in several municipalities: Travnik, Kotor-Varoš, Kneževo (former Skender Vakuf), Dobretići, Vitez and Zenica. It extends in the direction southeast - northwest. Its largest peak is Paljenik (Opaljenik) (1,933 m altitude). The Vlašić plateau is at 1,300 m altitude and is known for its famous tradition of making Vlašić cheese, as well as tourism in Babanovac area. That is where a new BiH winter tourism center has been established, visited by local and foreign guests thanks to the opening of ski slopes and new hotels. The river Ugar springs on the mountain Vlašić.
In the narrower area of Vlašić, the climate is mountainous, and in the lower locations of river valleys - moderately continental. The average winter temperature is 1 °C, while the average summer temperature is 14.2 °C. In winter, snowfall is abundant with an average snow cover of 1.5 - 2.1 meters, lasting up to 5 months a year.
The Vlašić plateau begins at the top of Ljuta greda, one of the Mountain’s peak. Numerous flocks of sheep graze on these meadows from early spring to late autumn. The center of famous Vlašić cheese production is in this location. Vlašić is also a suitable area for beekeeping.
Thanks to all of these, rural tourism has started developing in this area.
Voluntary Action info
World Tourism Day, celebrated each year on 27 September, is the global observance day fostering awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution the sector can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the first World Tourism Day. In this sense, the voluntary action on Mt. Vlašić is designed to show how tourism, through the cooperation of relevant actors, connects the local population in Bosnia and Herzegovina and contributes to preserving the environment and building mutual trust and tolerance. To that end, three mountaineering associations, from both entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will host and take part in this action.
The goal of Via Dinarica voluntary actions is to promote nature-based tourism, especially now that perfect hiking season is coming, as well as to enable as many people as possible to enjoy a safe and complete experience of the natural environment.
Maintenance and marking activities will be performed on the hiking route between two mountain lodges managed by the two mountaineering associations from Travnik: “Paklarske stijene” and “Vlašić”, FBiH, with the help of the partner association from the neighboring municipality Kneževo, RS, Mountaineering Association “Vilenska vrela”. It is important to emphasize that these are their usual joint activities that seek to improve the environment and conditions for the development of tourism on Mt. Vlašić.
Itinerary
10:30 Meeting Via Dinarica team in Travnik (Kalibunar, junction for Ovčarevo and Galica) https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kalibunar,+Travnik/@44.2303642,17.6284376,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x475efff74cfeabc7:0x6ec70c58837853f8!8m2!3d44.2303661!4d17.6459472
10:30 - 11:00 Travel to the mountain lodge ‘’Erik Brandis’’
11:00 - 11:15 Welcome by host: Mountaineering Association Paklarske stijene, Travnik
11:15 - 13:15 Voluntary action of trail maintenance and setting up signposts of the Via Dinarica Green trail from the mountain lodge ‘’Erik Brandis’’ (1,509 m altitude) to the mountain lodge ‘’Jusuf Pečenković’’ (1,763 m altitude) facilitated by Mountaineering Association Paklarske stijene, Travnik, Mountaineering Association Vlašić, Travnik and Mountaineering Association Vilenska vrela, Kneževo.
Difficulty level: Easy
13:15 - 13:45 Welcome by host Mountaineering Association Vlašić, Travnik and rest at the viewpoint near mountain lodge ‘’Jusuf Pečenković’’
13.45 – 14:30 Return to the mountain lodge ‘’Erik Brandis’’
14:30 - 16:30 Refreshment in front of the mountain lodge ‘’Erik Brandis’’
NOTE:
Please bring with you: 1 liter of drinking water, comfortable clothes (pants; hiking/walking shoes, hat/cap; 2 spare t-shirts and one long sleeve shirt or light jacket (in case of wind)).
