How to get from Sarajevo to Lukomir (Bosnia’s loneliest village)

A place that seems to have fallen out of time: The village of Lukomir clings lonely to the slope of the second deepest gorge in Europe at almost 1,500 metres, life has been the same for centuries – in harmony with nature and the weather. The village is not so easy to reach from Sarajevo, but it’s worth it! The landscape is like something from another planet and Lukomir still harbours Bosnian culture from the times of the Bosnian kingdom!

How to get from Sarajevo to Lukomir

What’s the best way to get from the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the mountain village in the middle of the Dinaric Alps, which is now inhabited by just 17 families?

How to get by car from Sarajevo to Lukomir

There are not many options for travelling from Sarajevo to Lukomir. There is no public transport such as a bus. Without a bus connection, you will have to rely on your own car or a rental car.

The route then takes around 90 minutes from Sarajevo via Bjelašnica to the mountain village. This route is easy to drive on in summer and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. However, you have to cover the last 16 kilometres on a gravel road, which can sometimes have deep potholes, especially in spring. If you don’t have an off-road vehicle, you need to take extra care when driving here.

Hiking to Lukomir from Umoljani

The second way to reach Lukomir is to hike from Umoljani, a nearby village. It takes around two and a half hours one way and you cover around 16 kilometres there and back. However, you also have to drive to Umoljani, which takes around 50 minutes from the centre of Sarajevo.

We would really recommend the hike – for the longest part of the way, you will be walking directly along the Rakitnica Canyon, the second deepest in Europe. You will even discover stećci, Bosnian tombstones from the Middle Ages, along the way.

It’s best to complete the hike with an experienced guide who knows the terrain and can tell you more about the history and culture of life in the Bosnian mountains.

How to get to Lukomir by e-bike

Don’t want to drive, but hiking is too long and tiring? How about a ride on an e-bike instead? This way you can experience the wild mountain world up close, but reach your destination faster with electric assistance than on foot.

No matter which route you choose, a visit to Lukomir is an unforgettable experience!

The mountain village of Lukomir: what to expect

The village itself is a fascinating settlement that seems to come from another time. The old, tin-roofed stone houses bear traces of history and the hard life in the middle of the Dinaric Alps. For generations, the inhabitants here have lived in harmony with the elements and the traditional Bosnian lifestyle has been preserved to this day – from farming to knitting the typical socks and robes.

There is only one road leading to the village – so people make do with less, but the inhabitants and sheep still get what they need to live off the land. At 1,500 metres, the weather often changes from one moment to the next. Even in the hot summer months, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures in the greenery of Bjelašnica.

Today, the municipality benefits from tourism and modernity is gradually arriving in Lukomir. There is still no WiFi out here, but there are numerous restaurants where you can have lunch after your hike and also some simple accommodation for the night. So hikers are in good hands here!

How to get from Sarajevo to Lukomir: Conclusion

All in all, Lukomir is a place of special beauty and cultural significance that deserves visitors. The journey from the capital Sarajevo may take some time, but a tour is definitely worthwhile! We wouldn’t necessarily recommend going by rental car since the roads aren’t easy. So if you can, go on a guided hike or e-bike tour, it will make your visit an unforgettable adventure.