Welcome to Blagaj
Where history clings to the cliffs and the present climbs them.
Just 12 km outside Mostar, on the banks of the crystal-clear Buna River, lies the magical town of Blagaj. Once the medieval heart of the Hum region, Blagaj became the cradle from which Herzegovina emerged in the mid-15th century.
Blessed with a Mediterranean climate — thanks to its proximity to the Adriatic and its low altitude — the town basks in around 250 sunny days each year.
The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular: the powerful Buna spring (one of the strongest in the world), the serene Dervish Tekija, the commanding Stjepan-grad Fortress, the noble Velagićevina complex, and a landscape that has inspired travelers for centuries.
The Arrival of “Rocks”
In 2014, Blagaj gained a new identity — one built not just on stone walls of history, but on walls for climbing.
That autumn, Bosnia’s most accomplished sport climber, Salih Mulaosmanović, arrived and instantly recognized the vast untapped climbing potential in the limestone slopes above the town.
With the help of friends and curious locals, the first sectors — Pejotl and Pčelinjak — began to take shape. At the same time, Salih and the New Wave Youth Club built two artificial climbing walls in the Eco Centre Blagaj, establishing a training base and a launchpad for future development.
From Sectors to Sectors
Winter 2014/2015 brought the dramatic Crvene stijene sector, opened with renowned climber Quentin Chastagnier, and prepared approaches for future crags.
By spring 2015, the first bolting weekend brought together ASPK Neretva, led by Vedran Ugljen, and PD Željezničar, marking the start of important national collaboration.
That autumn, legendary alpinist Silvo Karo visited, leaving behind the fierce Ljut sector.
The Canyon Vision
The rugged beauty of Vulin Potok canyon revealed itself as the crown jewel. But to unlock it, safe access was essential.
In winter 2015/2016, with the late Ibrahim Balalić and many others, Salih built the Via Ferrata “Vulin Potok” — the backbone of Blagaj’s climbing infrastructure.
The following years were a whirlwind:
- 2016 — Sector Rebro opens.
- 2017 — Third bolting weekend yields Publika, Hladovina, Ispod Vodopanac, and the first multi-pitches, later forming Duga peć.
- Shortly after — Vučije točilo and Šube, two of Blagaj’s finest sectors, come to life.
- Winter — Via Ferrata extended to connect the entire canyon.
Hard Lines & New Standards
Spring 2018 saw the birth of Ihsan in Šube — one of the hardest tufa routes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Around this time, Wanja Reichl arrived. His contribution was transformative: opening hard lines in Vučije točilo, Šube, and Crvene stijene, raising the technical and aesthetic bar for route setting in the area.
Growth Through Community
From 2018 to 2020, climbers from across Bosnia and abroad visited, enriching the local scene.
The summer of 2020 marked a turning point: a wave of young locals joined the climbing club, giving the area a new generation of guardians.
Even the pandemic years were productive:
- Karantena sector opened by ASPK Neretva with international help.
- A climber’s shelter was built in Rebro, strengthening ties between clubs.
In 2021, the Balkan Colours bolting course opened the Gavran sector and added new routes.
Today
As of summer 2025, the Blagaj climbing area proudly boasts:
- 15 climbing sectors
- 240+ equipped routes
- Via Ferrata “Vulin Potok”
- Climber’s shelters at Rebro and Vučije točilo
- Several marked hiking trails
The Sport Climbing Club “Blagaj” now maintains and develops the area, supported by a community whose dedication has turned a dream into one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s finest climbing destinations.
A Grateful Ascent
None of this would have been possible without the selfless efforts of climbers, locals, and friends from near and far.
From the bottom of our chalk bags — thank you.
— Sport Climbing Club Blagaj
