Tuši's blog: 16080

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MTB trip with AO Tržič - Morine, Crvanjsko jezero and Ovčiji brod

Our local Mountaineering Society AO Tržič organizes a mountain biking trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2015 and this year's destination was the area around Nevesinje. On our first cycling day we visited the Morine plateau, also called the European Tibet, where we also swam in the lake Crvanjsko jezero, that also has another name, Uloško jezero. On our way back we also stopped by one of the oldest bridges in the country, Ovčiji brod.

Previous days of this trip: Day 1 - 16079.

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).

The day always starts with a good breakfast.

When Cena's bike was on the triler, it lost a screw, probably due to vibrations, so we immediately had to find some spare parts.

We fixed the bike in nearby garage, where we also got the spare screw.

We were ready to leave Nevesinje - Невесиње, direction Kalinovik - Калиновик.

From the road we spotted our lunch. Our decision: we will stop here, when we'll be returning back.

The road from Nevesinje towards Gacko leads to Kifino Selo and then Plužine. In Plužine, the asphalt road turns onto a macadam road that leads to Kalinovik. Passing through Donje and Gornje Plužine, you reach the Morine plateau.

On the way to Morine plateau.

Uninhabited area.

Perfect roads for mountain bikes.

Resting on the plateau.

Jaka wanted to know where we are and where are we going.

Cena and Elvis over the grassy terrain.

Being smart.

Information table at Svatovsko Groblje - Wedding cemetery necropolis.

There is a few legends regarding the necropolis. The first one goes like this: This cemetery was created when the Mostar bey Lakšič proposed to the daugter of Nevesin bey Alija Ljubović. According to that legend, the beautiful weather that accompanied the wedding guests who were taking the beautiful Hajka girl from Zagorje to Nevesinje turned into a storm with an ice storm, and all the wedding guests froze to death.

According to another legend, two wedding processions met here and did not want to get out of each other's way, and because of their defiance, a fight broke out in which they all perished.

According to the third legend, there was a battle between two armies here, which lasted until they cut off each other's heads with sabers, and the beheaded ones also "waved their sabers".

My Black Mamba at the necropolis.

Look mum, no hands.

We lost each other at this point, since everyone took it's own path or better said grass.

On the road again, waiting to be regrouped.

Obstacles.

First flat of the day by our organizer Janez.

Changing the tube.

Janez helped Janez from his sofa.

Finally we arrived to Crvanjsko jezero, also called Uloško jezero.

The lake is located on the edge of the Crvanj mountain near the village of Jezero. The length of the lake is about 400 meters, the width is about 200 meters, and the greatest depth is up to 25 meters.

We deserved a little longer break.

Swimming in the lake, located at 1058 meters above sea level. It wasn't that cold at all.

The largest part of Morine consists of vast open pastures, and only a small part is under forests. In winter, this area is inhospitable for life due to very heavy snows and blizzards, while in summer Morine comes to life, when herders drive their herds out to graze.

In Morine, you can still see livestock cattle huts that are in use, and life in them is almost the same as it was a few centuries ago.

We stopped at one of the herder's huts and asked for coffee. We were welcomed by the hospitable owners.

Time for a talk with the locals.

We tried beer, home made cheese and were offered coffee.

Leaving Morine plateau.

As predicted in the morning, the lamb was baked, so we had a delicious lunch.

Crossing the ZalomkaZalomka river.

Baki, our ebiker.

Black Mamba posing above the Zalomka river.

The Zalomka is a karstic sinking river and part of the Neretva river system that collect its waters in the southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its main feature is intermittent nature of its flow, which depends on seasons and precipitations. It is one of the largest sinking rivers in the country and Dinaric Alps.

Ovčiji brod (Sheep bridge), a stone-made bridge connecting two banks of the Zalomka river in the south of the country is among the oldest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although there is no written proof of that, some say it dates back to the 16th century and that it was built by the Ottomans.

It is built entirely of stone, and is about three meters wide. Its slender appearance, with three arches, is very similar in appearance and design to the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad. Despite its age, and very little restoration, the bridge is still relatively well-preserved and still used today by shepherds and tourists alike.