National Park Sutjeska
The Sutjeska National Park is Bosnia & Herzegovina’s oldest national park (est. 1962). It hosts one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe, called Peručica. Beech trees tower over 60 meters high and endemic black pines stem from the rocky faces that protect the ancient forest. Skakavac waterfall can be seen from the look-out point – this seventy five meter plus waterfall is dwarfed by the massive blanket of green trees that cover the valley. The Sutjeska River has carved a stunning 1,200 m deep canyon through the middle of the park and divides Zelengora Mountain from Maglić and Volujak Mountains. The park itself is 17,500 hectares of magnificent and untouched wilderness.
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s highest peak Maglić at over 2,386m, is located in the park, directly on the border with Montenegro. It presents a challenging climb for even experienced hikers. Zelengora Mountain is great for hiking and walking and there are several newly renovated mountain huts on the mountain. Bear and wolf sightings are common.
The Piva and Drina rivers are largest rivers in the park, and they forming its north-western border. The mountains hide 9 glacial lakes in its forests and wide and grassy plateaus.
Sutjeska is famous for the Partisan victory over the Germans in WW II and there are large stone monuments commemorating the 1943 event the Battle of the Sutjeska.
The Sutjeska National Park is Bosnia & Herzegovina’s oldest national park, est. 1962, sometimes called European Yosemite park.