Visiting Blidinje Nature Park [Part 1/2]: A Stroll down the Lake

It has been a hot minute since I posted a travel series on this blog, and I'm finally back on track. In this first part of a new two-part travel series I will show you the Blidinje Nature Park. It is a nature park in south Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 1995. It is situated in the heart of Dinaric Alps and is an important hydrogeological reservat in Dinaric karst of the country, with significant cultural and historical heritage. It consist of major mountains of the Dinaric Alps range, as well as the plateau Dugopolje, Blidinje Lake, Grabovica valley and other characteristic karstic features. So come along with me and let me show you the sights captured at the Blidinje Nature Park.

This is only a part of a two part travel series:

Part One: A Stroll down the Lake

Part Two: In the Mountain Forest

Driving to Blidinje Nature Park

There are many ways to get to the Blidinje Nature Park, but the most common one, and the one I used is through the town of Jablanica. A newly paved mountain road leads you through the hills and up the slopes until you reach the so called "Sovicka vrata" or "Doors of Sovici". You can see that gate in the image above. As soon as you cross it, you'll find a place to park your car and enjoy the scenic views of the Dugopolje plateau.

Blidinje Lake

Once you drive down into the valley you get to enjoy the sights up close. On of the many sights is the Blidinje Lake. It's the most important hydrogeological phenomena in the park. It's the largest alpine lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blidinje lake is the direct result of a glacial retreat, but also activities of human inhabitants. According to recent research, the lake is artificial and it was created at the end of the 19th century. In order to keep the water that is lost through the subterranean passage, local residents and cattle breeders sealed sinkholes with branches and clay, so that water could not find its way underground. Therefore, the lake was formed. You can park your car at the side of the road and walk freely to the shore, which as you will see is scarce and almost nonexistent.

Sights around the Blidinje Lake

Once you finish visiting the lake you walk the huge plains and take in the sights. There are so many mountain flowers to be discovered and there but also interesting rock formations, bushes and of course incredible mountain scenery. Down below is also a new picture of me, with my hair shaved off. One of the many things affected by the recent pandemic. I'm getting used to it though :)

Stećci

All around the valley is dotted with the Bosnia and Herzegovina trademark stećci from medieval ages. It is not clear how long human settlements have existed here but research began when Blidinje recently received Nature park status. Traces of Illyrian graves and Roman roads indicate that Blidinje has been settled for at least 2,500 years. The large necropolis at Dugopolje indicates that the waves of Slavs that came in the 7th century also made this area their home.

I hope you enjoyed part one of this brand new travel series. Part Two will be posted shortly and it's going to be completely different as I enter the surrounding mountain woods.

End of Part One

To be continued...