Overview
Cvrsnica is mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina surrounded by river Neretva from east (20 km), its tributaries Doljanka (18 km) from north and Drežanka (19,8 km) from south, Dugo Polje field (12 km) and Vran mountain from west. The mountain is consisted of several plateaus - Plas and Muharnica on north, Mala Cvrsnica on south. There are more then ten summit above 2000m (Plocno 2228, Veliki Jelinak 2179, Veliki Vilinac 2118 etc.), vertical cliffs (Pesti brdo, Mezica stijene, Strmenica ...). Lakes are Blidinje, Crepulja, Crvenjak.
Diva Grabovica canyon (6,2 km) goes into the mountain.
Cvrsnica belongs to Dinaridies.
Bio-life is characteristical for three climate areas: conifer above 1200 m, plateau with grass and juniper; numerous endemic species (like Munika pine). Cvrsnica is well known as a home of chamois.
Climate: three types - mediteranian in the base of the mountain, middle-european on hill-sides and alpine on summits and plateaus. Six months have average temperatures below zero degrees. January and February have 15-23 days of snow precipitation. Snow layer thickness can be 2,5-3 meters. Strong wind can make snow-drifts even 15m thick. Upper plateu is under the snow from November till April - in hidden parts snow remains whole year.
Getting There
To Diva Grabovica
Road M17 from Sarajevo via Jablanica. About 15 kilometers from Jablanica turn right to Diva Grabovica (there is a sign for hydroelectric power plant). That road is quite good and leads to Diva Grabovica. At the end of the road park a car. From there lead two trails:
1. On the right (ask someone to show you a starting point) to Zlijeb (2h), Tisa (+1:15h) (King Karadjordevjic's hunting cabin) and further to the plateau of Cvrsnica and Rebels door (+2h)... Note: Diva Grabovica is at 200m, and plateau at cca 2000m
2. Straight forward to Bivak under Veliki Kuk (1:30h). From there you can pass Veliki Kuk via ferrata and continue to Veliki Viilinac across the plateau.
To Risovac (Dugo polje)
In Jablanica turn right toward Doljani from the road M17. Pass Sovicka vrata and enter Dugo polje. Turn left to Ski center Risovac and park a car near motel Zicara. Markations will lead you to Mali Vilinac (3h) and Veliki Vilinac (+1:30h)
To Masna Luka (Dugo polje)
Ignore turning to Risovac and continue forward. After few kilometers, you'll on the left notice a sign for Masna Luka (franciscian monastry). Park in front of the monastry. Maarkations start on the right from the monastry gate. To reach Plocno (the highest Cvrsnica summit) it takes 4:30h
Red Tape
No permits required
When To Climb
You can climb it whole year but I prefer period April - Octobar. Water is a problem there (the last spring is at Zlijeb (cca 1000m)) - so if you can use snow, do it ...