Una National Park

Una National Park is one of Bosnia’s two national parks and arguably its most pristine natural environment. The Una and Unac rivers flow through deep limestone canyons carved over millennia, creating a sequence of travertine waterfalls, emerald pools and rapids that rank among the most beautiful in southeastern Europe. The park sees a fraction of the visitors that Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes receive, yet the scenery is comparable — and the experience is considerably more peaceful.

The Una River system

The Una River gives the park its name — and some say the name itself comes from the Latin for “one” or “unique,” a reflection of the water’s singular beauty. The river originates in Croatia and enters Bosnia near Kulen Vakuf before flowing north through the park toward Bihać. Its upper stretches are calm and crystal-clear; further downstream, the gradient steepens into legitimate white-water.

The water colour is extraordinary: a shifting palette of turquoise, emerald and pale blue created by dissolved calcium carbonate from the limestone bedrock. Visibility in slow sections can exceed three metres.

Štrbački Buk — the park’s centrepiece

At 24.5 metres high and spanning roughly 140 metres across, Štrbački Buk is the widest waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the most visited site in the national park. The falls form a wide travertine curtain dropping into a pool of electric-blue water. A wooden walkway runs along the base and a viewing platform above gives the full panorama.

Getting there: park the car at the designated lot near Kulen Vakuf (around 40 km south of Bihać on the M14 road) and follow the clearly marked path for about 15 minutes through riverside forest. Park entry is charged at the gate — around 5 BAM (2.5 EUR) per person. There is a small visitor centre and café at the falls.

Best time to visit Štrbački Buk: spring (May-June) when snowmelt from the surrounding mountains pushes maximum volume through the falls. In summer the water level drops slightly but the colour is richest. The falls are accessible year-round but the path can be icy in winter.

Rafting and water activities

The Una is the primary rafting river in northwestern Bosnia. Several distinct runs cater to different ability levels:

Štrbački Buk to Lohovo (full-day, Class II-III): The flagship white-water day trip. Drops through the canyon with several genuine rapids, passing forested gorge walls and stopping at Štrbački Buk itself. This is the route used by most Una National Park rafting tours, which include transport from Bihać.

Relaxed river float (Class I-II): Calm pools and gentle currents through the core of the park, suitable for families and non-swimmers in buoyancy aids. The Una relaxed rafting experience typically covers the most scenic section between Kulen Vakuf and the falls area.

Kayaking: Stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals are available from operators based at Martin Brod and near Štrbački Buk. Calm sections make for excellent independent paddling.

The rafting season runs April through October, with peak flows in May-June. Wetsuits are provided by operators in early season. Prices for organised tours typically range 45–70 BAM (23–36 EUR) per person for a half-day, 80–120 BAM (41–61 EUR) for a full day including transport from Bihać.

Martin Brod and the waterfall complex

Martin Brod, about 5 km downstream from Štrbački Buk, is less visited but well worth the detour. The Unac tributary meets the Una here, and the combined flow creates a series of smaller cascades around a historic old mill. The village has a small Ottoman mosque (one of the oldest in the region), and the setting — stone buildings surrounded by waterfalls on three sides — is genuinely lovely.

The Unac canyon upstream from Martin Brod offers a wilder, less commercialised experience than the main Una corridor. No organised tours currently cover the upper Unac; it is best explored by car on the gravel road from Martin Brod toward Bosansko Grahovo.

Wildlife and forest

Una National Park protects 198 km² of continuous forest, predominantly beech and fir on the higher slopes, with riverside gallery forest in the valleys. The park is one of the last strongholds of the Huchen (Hucho hucho), the Danube salmon — a large predatory fish that can exceed 1 metre in length. Fishing is regulated; permits are required and must be obtained from the park authority.

Brown bears, wolves and lynx are present in low numbers in the park’s more remote sections. Birdlife is rich: kingfishers, dippers, and grey herons are common along the river; eagle owls nest in the canyon walls.

Hiking in the park

The park has marked hiking trails, though infrastructure is less developed than in Western European national parks. The main trails follow the canyon rim above the Una, offering elevated views of the river and waterfalls. Trail maps are available at the park visitor centre in Kulen Vakuf or from the park authority office in Bihać.

Important safety note: Always stay on clearly marked trails. Some areas in and around the park’s boundaries were affected by landmines during the 1990s conflict. While demining operations have covered most of the park interior, straying from marked paths in remote or forested areas is not advisable. See the mine safety guide for detailed guidance.

Getting to Una National Park

• By car from Bihać: 40 km south on the M14, following signs for Kulen Vakuf. The road is paved and passes through gentle hills; allow 45 minutes.
• By car from Sarajevo: 275 km northwest via Jajce and Bihać; allow 3.5 hours.
• Without a car: The most practical option is a guided tour from Bihać town. Public buses to Kulen Vakuf are infrequent; a taxi from Bihać costs around 30–40 BAM each way.
• From Zagreb: 180 km south via the A1 motorway and Plitvice. The border crossing at Maljevac (between Plitvice and Bihać) is straightforward.

Where to stay near the park

• Bihać town (40 km north): Full range of hotels and guesthouses; best base for combining the park with town sightseeing. See the Bihać destination guide for accommodation details.
• Kulen Vakuf: Small village with a handful of guesthouses and rafting camp packages along the river; rustic but atmospheric. Prices from around 25 BAM (13 EUR) per night for a basic room.
• Martin Brod: One or two private rooms available through local families; very basic, contact the national park office for introductions.

Practical information

• Park entry: Charged at the main gate near Kulen Vakuf. Around 5 BAM (2.5 EUR) per person; rates may vary by season.
• Opening hours: The park is open year-round. The visitor centre and café at Štrbački Buk operate May through October.
• Currency: Pay park fees and local services in BAM. ATMs are available in Bihać but not in the park itself — bring cash.
• Best season: May-June for maximum water and wildflower displays; July-August for warmth and swimming; September-October for autumn colour and smaller crowds.

For the complete guide to the Una River and its waterfalls, see the Una National Park guide and the Štrbački Buk waterfall guide.