Brdo: Lakes, cycling routes and regional craft culture

Accommodation is available in the weekend village of Brdo. If you are looking for a hotel in Brdo, the surrounding attractions offer practical reference points for planning your trip: Balkana and its lakes, cycling and hiking opportunities, and regional craft culture appeal to different interests. You can tailor your stay to the landscape, outdoor activities or a cultural occasion.

Balkana: lakes and seasonal activities

The Balkan Tourist and Recreational Center includes two oval artificial lakes at an altitude of 750 meters. Balkana consists of a small lake and a large lake. The mountain streams Cjepalo and Skakavac, along with springs below the Great Lake, feed the lakes. The distinction between the small and large lakes helps you understand Balkana as two bodies of water rather than a single stretch of water. In summer, the lakes are suitable for swimming. The TRC Balkana grounds also have a prepared ski slope. Swimming is therefore a summer activity, while the ski slope is another feature of the grounds.

Cycling and hiking in the surrounding area

In the wider region around Brdo, the “Green Tour” association has recorded more than 300 kilometers of cycling routes on paved and unpaved roads. The area is also crossed by the 88-kilometer Mrkonjić Region–Balkana–Stričići–Krupa cycling route, with an elevation gain of 1,300 meters. The network conveys the scale of the routes and specifies their road surfaces; the individual route gives its distance and elevation gain. If you are initially interested in the regional scale, the network provides an overview. To compare an individual route, the 88 kilometers and 1,300 meters of elevation gain give you concrete measurements. The slopes of Mount Lisina are suitable for walking and hiking. The regional options thus vary by season and type of activity: swimming in the lakes is a summer activity, cycling can be considered through the network or the named route, and the slopes of Lisina are suitable for exploring on foot.

Scythe-mowing festival and craftsmanship

A scythe-mowing festival is held annually at Balkana, celebrating the art of scythe mowing and the best scythe mowers. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates in advance and plan your travel dates accordingly. In the wider region around Brdo, blacksmith workshops in Mrkonjić Grad still make traditional handmade tools, including the “Varcarka” scythe. The festival celebrates the art of mowing and the mowers, while the workshops showcase the craftsmanship involved in making tools. Although both relate to scythes, they represent distinct things: a recurring event and an ongoing regional craft tradition.

Memorial site in Brdo

Another cultural point of reference is the memorial site in Brdo. A report dated November 16, 2025, describes a memorial service there for ten fallen soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) and four civilians, as well as a flower-laying ceremony. This commemorative occasion adds a distinct perspective on remembrance culture to the nature, outdoor activities and craft themes.

Discover more destinations: Pale, Njemanica, Banja Luka, Dvorovi, Vučja Luka, Laminci Sređani, Staro Rudo, Prnjavor

For the main travel overview: Republika Srpska.