Bosnia-Herzegovina: the unknown off-road paradise

Bosnia-Herzegovina has less than 70 inhabitants per square kilometer and around 50% of them live in the Sarajevo region. That leaves just 35 inhabitants per square kilometer for the rest of the small Balkan state. They have probably never heard of deceleration. But you can learn a lot about this topic from them.

On the slopes through the mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina, an unexpected expanse of landscapes awaits you. Caves, circling vultures and primeval forests: You feel tiny here compared to the millions of years of nature. Once you arrive at the destination of your off-road route, you can count on the typical hospitality of the country, for example in quaint village pubs that serve their local specialties at dumping prices.
 

Here you will find all legal off-road routes in Bosnia-Herzegovina - clearly listed, with practical filters and map view.

Package tourists are hardly interested in the small Balkan state between Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. But Bosnia-Herzegovina has a lot to offer off-roaders. Off-road routes in the Una or Tara Nature Parks, tracks through gorges such as the Sanica Canyon or a trail to the wild horses at Bobovnik: this country stands for unadulterated nature experiences.

The off-road routes in Bosnia-Herzegovina are mostly in an acceptable condition because they are often the only connections between small villages. Many of them are easy to drive on and are suitable not only for enduro or compact 4x4 vehicles, but also for off-road campers and off-road trucks. However, more remote routes also offer enough technical challenges to fascinate sporty off-road travelers.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will mainly be driving through a forested low mountain range landscape. The peaks of some mountains can reach almost 2,400 m in height, creating different climate zones. If you are traveling off-road through this lonely country, you should be equipped with everything from a bikini and swimming trunks to a down jacket. Especially in spring and fall, there can be drastic temperature differences between the plains and the mountain peaks.

The climate in Bosnia-Herzegovina is more extreme than that of the German low mountain ranges. In midsummer, the maximum daytime temperatures can reach up to 35º C. On cold winter nights, however, temperatures as low as -15º C are not uncommon in some parts of the country. If you want to avoid extreme temperatures, you should visit the small Balkan country in late spring or early fall. The experience of our scouts shows that April and May or September and October are the absolute top months for a successful off-road trip through Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The larger Bosnian cities such as Mostar, Sarajevo and Banja Luka are connected by well-developed roads. In the countryside, asphalted roads are often in less good condition and have inadequate markings. Many roads from village to village are nothing more than simple gravel tracks. They may be used by all kinds of motorized vehicles, just like the dirt roads.

In the mountains, there are mainly farm roads that are not necessarily always paved with gravel. In appropriate weather conditions, these dirt roads can be a real challenge for off-road drivers. If you don't have too much off-road experience, you should avoid such tracks after heavy rainfall as a precaution.

The international emergency number 112 also applies in Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, your regional contact for roadside assistance may not necessarily be able to communicate in English. It is therefore better to avoid risky situations from the outset. Special care is required when driving or maneuvering off the roads and paths.

After the Bosnian war in the 1990s, many minefields were cleared. However, the government in Bosnia-Herzegovina still strongly advises against venturing off the official paths and roads. The tourist information offices in the cities have maps of their regions in which the known minefields are marked.

However, landslides or other extreme weather events can change the position of unexploded ordnance and landmines. This applies not only to remote mountain regions, but also to areas near larger towns. Cross-country driving is therefore not yet the order of the day in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You should also bear this in mind if you are looking for a place to stay overnight. 

Theoretically, wild camping is prohibited in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But the old saying applies: "Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge." In this sparsely populated country, who is going to check whether there are any tents or campers on a lonely mountain lake?

In the wild nature of Bosnia-Herzegovina, you are sure to find a secluded spot for a stopover on your off-road tour. In the catchment area of the cities or near tourist attractions, however, you should preferably stay at a campsite. Alternatively, camping on private property is also permitted: for example, in the parking lot of a restaurant.

Some road traffic regulations in Bosnia-Herzegovina differ from German road traffic regulations. For example, car drivers and motorcyclists must switch on their dipped headlights at all times of day throughout the country. In addition, motorcyclists in Bosnia-Herzegovina are not allowed to wear earplugs. The use of radar warning systems - including within navigation systems - is also prohibited.

Drivers aged 23 and over who have held their driver's license for more than three years are subject to an alcohol limit of 0.3 per mille. For all others, 0.0 per mille applies. In addition, people under the age of 23 and novice drivers who have not held their driving license for more than one year are not allowed to drive a motorized vehicle on the roads between 23:00 and 05:00.

The small Balkan country between Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia is still a real insider tip for travelers who fancy a vacation off the beaten tourist track. An off-road tour through Bosnia-Herzegovina promises adventures that can hardly be experienced in any other country in Europe. If you stick to the legal requirements for road traffic and only travel on official dirt paths and gravel roads, you will take away unforgettable impressions of Bosnia.

Grab our off-road atlas right away and start planning your route.