Canton 10: Nature, Culture and Excursions

For a trip to Canton 10, you can plan nature experiences and cultural sites as separate areas of focus. The landscapes around Drvar and Kupres offer distinct themes: from waterfalls and karst formations to hiking and winter sports. In Livno and Tomislavgrad, museum collections, historic buildings and archaeological sites are among the main attractions. Which places you include in your plans depends on what you would like to experience during your trip.

Water, Karst and Hiking Trails

A spring rises at Bastašica, surrounded by high rock walls; several waterfalls form near its source. Its flow depends on rainfall. The area is considered a small eco-zone and has a marked trail with benches, guardrails and a wooden bridge. On Klekovača, marked hiking trails lead to Mala Klekovača and Velika Klekovača; there is also a mountain hut. For both locations, it is advisable to check the condition of the trails and available facilities before setting out, as these may change.

The karst landscape near Kupres also offers various starting points for excursions. Lake Kukavičko is eight kilometres from the centre of Kupres, at an altitude of 1,200 metres. A glacial lake, it reaches a maximum depth of about 13 metres. It is considered a popular excursion destination and is used for swimming in the summer months; check locally whether swimming is possible at the time of your visit.

Japage consists of five sinkholes across an area of about one square kilometre; a lake lies within this area. The elevation difference between the highest point and the bottom of the largest sinkhole is 97 metres. Japage is about twelve kilometres west of Kupres and can be reached via a side road branching off the Kupres–Šipovo main road. Another excursion takes you to the Pločata vrila spring: the hiking trail there from Kupreška kuća involves an easy ascent of up to one hour. This gives you a choice between a destination with a lakeshore and a hike to a spring.

Hikes and Winter Destinations

Around Tomislavgrad, the Orlova stina mountaineering club maintains more than 170 kilometres of hiking trails. They range from challenging mountain routes to easy walking paths; the network may change. Another route with a longer geographical reach is the Staza Gospi Sinjskoj. It leads from the Rama Šćit Franciscan monastery via Tomislavgrad to Sinj and Solin.

Those considering a winter trip will also find skiing near Kupres. The Adria Ski resort has four slopes totalling more than 13 kilometres and is served by four ski lifts. On cold, snowy winter days, Ski-Centar na Risovcu is also a destination for skiers and people looking for winter sports and recreation. Since the operating details of seasonal offerings may change, it is worth checking the latest information before planning. The summer-use Kukavičko Lake offers a contrast: these two examples show how trip planning can differ depending on the season.

Cultural Heritage and Local Highlights

The Franciscan Museum and Gorica Gallery in Livno were established on 2 October 1995 to systematically collect, preserve, protect and present museum materials from the Canton of Herceg-Bosna. The permanent archaeological exhibition at the Gorica Museum features objects dating from the Copper Age to the Late Middle Ages. The townscape also reveals different chapters of history: the bridge Most na Dumanu was built in the late 17th or early 18th century and is considered a symbol of Livno’s architectural heritage. Veis-Kula is the largest and best-preserved of the city’s historic defensive towers today.

The Lala-pašina džamija, also known as Beglučka džamija, was built in 1577/1578 behind Livno’s old town, at Begluk. In 2004, it was placed under state protection and declared a national monument. Livanjski sir is also part of the local identity, with a centuries-old production tradition linked to the region’s natural pastures, meadows and diverse vegetation. A herd of semi-wild horses lives on the Kruzi plateau near Livno; sightings are not guaranteed.

In Tomislavgrad, the Duvanjska Basilica is considered the town’s most important attraction. In Otinovci, the archaeological site includes preserved and partly reconstructed building remains, developed as an open-air archaeological park. Another cultural highlight of Kupres is its traditional haymaking days, known as Strljanica. They mark the start of the hay harvest and were included in UNESCO’s protection of intangible cultural heritage on 16 December 2020. Written records of the tradition go back 200 years or more.

Tito’s Cave recalls the history of the Partisan movement: in early 1944, its Supreme Headquarters was located there. The cave was restored in 2006 and reopened to visitors on 25 May of the same year. Such historical details add another perspective on the places’ history to the nature destinations.

Discover more destinations: Drvar, Šuica, Kupres, Donje Peulje, Livno, Tomislavgrad, Blažuj, Sarajevo Canton.

For the broader travel overview: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.