Vlašić
1,933 m
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Also known as Paljenik, Vlašič, +1Also known as
Paljenik · Vlašič · Vlaška Gromila
- Elevation
- 1,933 m
- Prominence
- 1,010 m
- Difficulty
- 1/10
- Easy walk
- Best Season
- Jun–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Fitness K2 (moderately demanding), technique T1 (Planinu Volim) · Easy, technically undemanding fell-walk (Via Dinarica)
The standard walk to Paljenik, the highest point of Vlašić above Travnik: from the hut at Galica (about 1,470 m) east over open pasture to the Devečani hut, then north up grassy slopes to the summit with its TV relay tower. About 450–500 m of ascent; about 2 hours up and 1 hour down.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +485 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,934 m
- Time Up
- 2h 18m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 44m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Galica is a small hut settlement on the south side of Vlašić. From Travnik a road to Galica branches off to the right as you enter the town; if it has not been cleared of snow, drive on to Turbe, take the Vlašić road and reach Galica via the Babanovac ski resort. Start at the Grof Erik Brandis hut (PD Paklarske stijene). A path marked with winter poles leads east over the plateau to the Jusuf Pečenković hut at Devečani (about 1,760 m), roughly halfway and about 45 minutes from Galica, where there is drinking water. From Devečani the path turns north and climbs open grassy slopes to Paljenik, which carries a TV relay tower. To shorten the return, head south-west from the summit straight back to Galica. A popular variant goes up past Panje (1,606 m) and returns via Devečani; a longer loop continues north over Čavo (1,817 m) and Pavo (1,807 m). A road also runs from Galica via Devečani to the summit installations; it is much longer and usually impassable for cars in winter. Groups typically allow about 2 hours from Galica to the summit and 1 hour back; planinarenje.ba and Via Dinarica give 7.5 km and about 450 m of ascent for the route. planinarenje.ba states that the path is not technically demanding and carries no mine danger, but other parts of Vlašić are still mined: do not leave the marked path.
Start
Planinarski dom Grof Erik Brandis1,495 m
- Buses run from Travnik to Vlašić (Babanovac); no confirmed service to Galica
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planinarski dom Grof Erik Brandis → Paljenik | 4.7 | 485 | 49 | 2h 18m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Planinarski dom Grof Erik Brandis1,495 m
- Hut: Devečani1,762 m
Jusuf Pečenković hut; water; one room always open
- Summit: Paljenik1,933 m
TV relay tower
Key Passages
- Open plateau between Galica and Devečani
- Grassy climb to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Paljenik, the highest point of Vlašić, a broad pastoral mountain above Travnik in the centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its cheese, sheepdogs and ski resort. An easy, waymarked walk of about 450 m from Galica, crowned by a TV relay tower.
Vlašić rises in the geographical centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina and overlooks the town of Travnik. It is a high, rolling plateau of pasture and forest rather than a rocky range, and its highest summit, Paljenik (also Opaljenik), is a grassy dome topped by a TV relay tower. The mountain is famous for Vlašić cheese, traditionally made from sheep's milk, for the Tornjak sheepdog and the Pramenka sheep; its name is linked to the Vlachs, the transhumant herders who grazed it.
The Babanovac resort on the north-west side is one of the country's main ski centres, and snow lies for up to five months a year, typically 1.5–2 m deep. In summer the plateau has many marked trails, endemic and relict plants, and wide views across central Bosnia.
The usual ascent from the hut settlement at Galica is a short, easy walk via the Devečani hut. During the 1992–1995 war the mountain was a strategic position above Travnik, and as elsewhere in the country, ground away from marked paths may still hold mines; planinarenje.ba describes the main waymarked path to Paljenik as free of mine danger.
Climbing Notes
Allow about 2 hours up and 1 hour down from Galica, with about 450–500 m of ascent; a loop via Panje or over Čavo and Pavo makes a fuller day of up to 5½ hours. No technical skills are needed. Drinking water is available at the Devečani hut.
In winter the route is marked with poles, but the plateau is featureless in fog and wind; carry a map or GPS track. Never leave marked paths. Check current mine maps (BHMAC/DRAS) if you plan to explore beyond the standard routes.
Accommodation is available at the huts at Galica and Devečani and in hotels at Babanovac.
History
Vlašić was an operational area in the Second World War. In the Bosnian War it was held by the Bosnian Serb army and taken by the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina shortly before the Dayton Agreement in 1995, after which it became part of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Season
Best Jun–Oct- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Good
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Jan
- Deep snow; snowshoe or ski-touring ascent on a pole-marked path
- Feb
- Deep snow; winter conditions
- Mar
- Snow; winter conditions
- Apr
- Thaw; wet and slushy
- May
- Snow patches; spring flowers
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Good conditions
- Aug
- Good conditions
- Sep
- Good conditions
- Oct
- Good conditions, cooler
- Nov
- First snow likely; short days
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Galica (Grof Erik Brandis hut, PD Paklarske stijene) and Devečani (Jusuf Pečenković hut): contact the operating clubs in advance.
- Rules
- Stay on marked paths: Vlašić was a contested strategic position in 1992–1995 and suspected mined areas may remain away from the trails; check DRAS/BHMAC maps before going off-route
- Getting There
Travnik
Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)
- Car: from Travnik, a road to Galica branches off at the town entrance; in snow, drive via Turbe and the Vlašić road through Babanovac
- Bus: Travnik trans runs buses from Travnik to Vlašić (Babanovac) at 10:00 and 15:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, 10:00 on Sundays (undated listing on Via Dinarica)
Hazards
- Weather
- Landmines nearby
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,760 m
DevečaniHut