16821

Slovenia: MTB - Planina Spodnja Konjščica

After work today, I organized an MTB ride around our local trails, with the main destination being Planina Spodnja Konščica. Seven of us gathered in Grahovše and set off towards the mountains. We made our way via Potarje and climbed up to the mountain pasture, enjoying the ride and the beautiful surroundings along the way. After a short break at the top, it was time to head back down into the valley. Some riders opted for a slightly more challenging trail, while most of us chose the gravel road. This took us on a scenic loop past Pavšel estate and eventually brought us back to our starting point in Grahovše. A great after-work ride, good company, and another beautiful evening spent on the bike - Garmin Connect!

View to the main ridge of the Karawanks.

After a little bit of asphalt, we were alone on the gravel road.

Hydration stop.

Ascending towards our pasture.

One more view to the Košuta ridge.

The green grass is already waiting for the cattle.

Grega, Sabina, Janez, Nada, Tuši, Boštjan and Aleš.

Planina Spodnja Konjščica, 1451 m.

 

Though guys.

Lučka and Košuta.

Returning back to the valley.

Back in Grahovše.

Just a few more metres to go, and then it’s time for a well-deserved beer.

#MTB #Guide #Karawanks

16817

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MTB trip with AO Tržič - Bjelašnica, Malo Polje and Lukomir

Our local Mountaineering Society AO Tržič has been organizing a mountain biking trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2015. For our 2025 adventure, we decided to return to Umoljani, the very same destination where our journey began ten years ago in 2015.  

Once again, the final day of the trip had arrived. We had planned a combination of two shorter rides, with different members of the group joining each one. I decided to take part in both.

The first ride took us beneath Bjelašnica to Babin Do, where most of the group loaded their bikes onto the trailer and headed towards Sarajevo. A few of us decided to take the trail down to Sarajevo instead. We had to search for the trail in a few places along the way, but eventually we all made it down safely - Garmin Connect.

Once we had all regrouped in the valley, it was time for the long drive home - complete with the usual long wait at the border.

Previous day of this years trip: Day 1 - 16814, Day 2 - 16815, Day 3 - 16816.

Previous MTB Trips with AO Tržič: 1. 2015 (13161, 13162, 13163), 2. 2016 (13518), 3. 2017 (13889, 13890, 13891),  4. 2018 (14253, 14254, 14255), 6. 2020 (14997), 7. 2021 (15353, 15354), 8. 2022 (15715, 15716, 15717), 9. 2023 (16079, 16080, 16081, 16082), 10. 2024 (16443, 16444, 16445, 16446).

Infront of our base.

Our surroundings.

Janez at the spot where his inner tube “on guard duty” exploded back in 2015.

On the way to Sarajevo.

Information board describing historic route that served as a vital supply and evacuation corridor during the Siege of Sarajevo.

Ratna Džamija, meaning "War Mosque," stands high on Mount Igman. Built between 1993 and 1994 during the Bosnian War, this simple wooden mosque became a symbol of faith, culture, and community during the defense of Sarajevo.

One of those unexpected places that makes you stop, look around and wonder about the stories behind it.

Sarajevo is near, but still far.

One last push downhill before the trail finally brought us back to Sarajevo.

 

Way back home.

#MTB #Bjelašnica

16816

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MTB trip with AO Tržič - Bjelašnica, Malo Polje and Lukomir

Our local Mountaineering Society AO Tržič has been organizing a mountain biking trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2015. For our 2025 adventure, we decided to return to Umoljani, the very same destination where our journey began ten years ago in 2015.  

Back on May 29, 2015, we climbed Bjelašnica by bike for the first time. Ten years later, it was time to do it again. We mounted our bikes and tackled the long series of switchbacks leading all the way to the summit.

From the top, we descended to Babin Do via the ski slope, which also served as the downhill course during the 1984 Winter Olympics. After a short break, we continued towards the Igman Ski Jumps, the venue of the Olympic ski jumping competitions in 1984. Following a quick photo stop, we returned to Babin Do for refreshments before beginning another climb towards the saddle below Javorak.

There, the group split up. Some of us decided to extend the planned route with an extra ride to Lukomir, while the rest continued as originally planned. At the end of the day, we all reunited back at our base in Umoljani (Garmin Connect), where a well-earned beer and dinner was waiting for us.

Previous day of this years trip: Day 1 - 16814, Day 2 - 16815.

Previous MTB Trips with AO Tržič: 1. 2015 (13161, 13162, 13163), 2. 2016 (13518), 3. 2017 (13889, 13890, 13891),  4. 2018 (14253, 14254, 14255), 6. 2020 (14997), 7. 2021 (15353, 15354), 8. 2022 (15715, 15716, 15717), 9. 2023 (16079, 16080, 16081, 16082), 10. 2024 (16443, 16444, 16445, 16446).

Warming our legs after the breakfast.

Great placec for mountain biking.

Spectators.

Where next?

Janez and switchbacks leading to the top of Bjelašnica.

Beautiful day.

Gravel roads leading to nowhere.

Start of the 1984 Olympic downhill event.

Remains of the Bosnian war.

Our group: Primož, Nada, Marija, Janez, Mateja, Janez, Cena, Baki, Brane and in first row Tuši and Aleš.

It's easier to ski here.

The conditions normalised.

Downhill with Black Mamba.

Built for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Hotel Igman once welcomed athletes, officials, and visitors to the Olympic venues on Mount Igman. During the Bosnian War, the hotel was heavily damaged and burned, and it has remained abandoned ever since. Today, its concrete ruins are a striking reminder of both the Olympic legacy and the region's turbulent recent history.

We found something interesting on the map.

The Igman Ski Jumps hosted Olympic ski jumping during the 1984 Winter Olympics and remain one of Sarajevo's most recognizable Olympic landmarks. The two events were dominated by Jens Weißflog of East Germany, who won gold on the normal hill, and Matti Nykänen of Finland, who took gold on the large hill. The two young stars swapped gold and silver, while Jari Puikkonen and Pavel Ploc took the bronze medals.

Today's winners.

Cena.

 

After the snack we were ready for another climb.

Posers.

We prolonged the trip a little bit.

 

Beer and dinner time.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- Bjelašnica 2067 m, GC5MW0C

- Igman Veliko Polje the Monument, GC6DQWP

#MTB #Bjelašnica #geocaching

16815

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MTB trip with AO Tržič - Above Rakitnica

Our local Mountaineering Society AO Tržič has been organizing a mountain biking trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2015. For our 2025 adventure, we decided to return to Umoljani, the very same destination where our journey began ten years ago in 2015.  

After breakfast in Umoljani, we saddled up and set off towards Lukomir, following the so-called "Bosnian Contour Line" by us - a route that roughly follows the natural contours of the mountains by 100 meters up and down. The morning motivation was still at its peak, so a bit of mud, pushing, and carrying our bikes didn't bother us. The effort was well worth it, especially with the spectacular views over the Rakitnica Canyon.

After all the morning adventures, we finally reached Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest traditional village. Marija, Primož, and I still had enough energy for a little extra adventure, so we climbed the nearby Vijenac, 1496 m, to search for a geocache. Afterwards, we joined the rest of the group in Lukomir for a well-deserved short break.

Before continuing, we pumped up Želo's tire, hoping it would survive the rest of the day's ride. It didn't. The tire was flat again not long afterwards, so we had no choice but to replace the inner tube.

It wasn't long before another mechanical problem struck - this time, my chain snapped. Fortunately, with the right tools and a bit of ingenuity, we managed to get it fixed quickly. By then, however, the group had split up, so we continued towards Konjic along two different routes.

Our route took us past Blatačko Lake, a beautiful mountain lake tucked away in the highlands. By this point, the batteries on the e-bikes were running low, so the group split up once again. The e-bike riders headed directly towards Konjic, while we climbed higher and tackled another trail starting near Zlatar Barracks. The trail eventually brought us down into Konjic as well.

In the end, we all reunited in Konjic (Garmin Connect) and made our way back to our base in Umoljani - tired, happy, and with plenty of stories from a very eventful day on the bikes.

Previous day of this years trip: Day 1 - 16814.

Previous MTB Trips with AO Tržič: 1. 2015 (13161, 13162, 13163), 2. 2016 (13518), 3. 2017 (13889, 13890, 13891),  4. 2018 (14253, 14254, 14255), 6. 2020 (14997), 7. 2021 (15353, 15354), 8. 2022 (15715, 15716, 15717), 9. 2023 (16079, 16080, 16081, 16082), 10. 2024 (16443, 16444, 16445, 16446).

Start from Umoljani.

Leaving the asphalt road.

We bought some home made products at the saddle called Gradina.

The day got off to a beautiful start, but we already knew that it wouldn't stay that way for the entire ride.

 

Along Studeni potok creek.

Paradise for cyclists.

Approaching the edge of Rakitnica canyon.

Our general Janez says hello.

 

Looks like somebody marked our trail.

Nice single trail.

 

It's easier if you don't have electric bike.

Short break for photo session.

Above the canyon.

At the lookout point.

Nada and Marija.

 

Muddy section.

Shepherd dogs.

Approaching Lukomir and Vijenac, peak on the left.

The mastermind behind our trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A lot has changed in ten years, especially the growth of tourism, but Lukomir still feels like Lukomir.

Riding the main street.

We found the geocache so we are also going in the village.

The highest village in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Lukomir sits at around 1495 m above sea level, making it the country's highest inhabited settlement.

Time for a longer break.

 

Quick snack.

Watch out for mines and Janez!

The first flat tire of the day - we simply pumped it up and hoped for the best.

Continuing on Mrkovalje, around Lovnica and Kotplani.

Endless gravel roads ahead of us.

Thank goodness for GPS, otherwise finding our way would have been a lot harder.

The tire didn't hold for long, so we replaced the inner tube.

The chain snapped.

Movie time.

Fixed. We were ready to move on.

Towards Čuhovići.

 

Looks like we have been racing.

Blatačko Lake - a peaceful mountain lake hidden in the heart of the Bosnian highlands.

Srpska pravoslavna kapela - a small Serbian Orthodox chapel nearby.

There is no visible stream flowing into the Blatačko Lake. It relies mainly on rain and melting snow, while water drains away through karst sinkholes.

The lake and its surroundings form part of a protected cultural landscape and National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, designated in 2009.

By the time we reached the trail, only five of us remained, including Marija, the photographer. No e-bikes anymore.

Half way down the trail.

View to Konjic.

My Black Mamba and Janez.

 

Konjic was getting closer, but after missing the trail ending, we ended up making our way into town the hard way - scrambling over a wall and weaving our way between the apartment blocks.

 

Dinner time back in Umoljani.

Geocache found:

- Rakitnica-canyon, GC2D440, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#MTB #Umoljani #geocaching