Štrbački Buk waterfall guide
Sarajevo: Strbacki Buk & Jajce Waterfalls Day Trip
What is Štrbački Buk and how do I get there?
Štrbački Buk is a 24-metre horseshoe waterfall on the Una River near Martin Brod in Una National Park, considered Bosnia's most powerful waterfall. It is reached by a 2km riverside walk from Martin Brod village, or by raft through the canyon. Best visited in spring for maximum power.
Štrbački Buk is not easy to reach, which is why it remains one of the least crowded spectacular waterfalls in the Balkans. Set in the Una canyon near the small village of Martin Brod in Una National Park, it requires either a drive along an unpaved forest road or a rafting journey through the canyon to arrive at its banks. The effort is rewarded with a waterfall of genuine scale and power — a 24-metre horseshoe cataract that fills the canyon with noise and spray.
The waterfall
Štrbački Buk is a horseshoe-shaped tufa waterfall approximately 60-70 metres wide and 24 metres high at its main drop, with smaller cascades above creating a multi-step descent. At peak flow (March-June), the volume is extraordinary — the turbulent pool at the base sends spray across the entire viewing area, and the sound can be heard several hundred metres away.
Like Kravice and the Pliva Falls in Jajce, the colour of the water above the falls is that distinctive Bosnia blue-green — a result of calcium carbonate suspended in the slow-moving river creating the same effect as travertine pool water anywhere in the Dinaric karst.
The name Štrbački comes from the Štrba family, historically one of the main families in the Martin Brod area.
Getting to Štrbački Buk
By car
From Bihać: drive south on the road toward Martin Brod (approximately 60km, about 1 hour on roads that vary in quality — the final section is unpaved). Park in Martin Brod and walk approximately 2km along the river to the falls. The path is flat, follows the Una bank closely, and passes a viewpoint about 500m before the falls.
From Jajce: an alternative approach is from the east via Bihać-Drvar-Srb road; somewhat longer but navigable on a secondary road.
By raft
The Una canyon rafting route passes Štrbački Buk as part of the technical upper-river section. Una National Park guided rafting includes the Štrbački Buk area in the canyon route. This is the most dramatic way to arrive — approaching the falls by river as rafters have done for generations.
Day trip from Sarajevo
The Sarajevo to Štrbački Buk and Jajce day trip combines two of central Bosnia’s most impressive waterfalls in a single full day. It is a long day (departure early morning, return late evening) but covers a significant amount of the country’s best natural scenery without requiring a car or overnight stay.
Martin Brod: the base village
Martin Brod sits at the confluence of the Unac and Una rivers, framed by forested hills and the ruins of a medieval fortress (Ostrovica). The monastery of the Assumption (early 20th century) stands in the village; its churchyard is planted with old walnut trees.
The village has a small konoba (restaurant) serving grilled fish from the Una — particularly the Huchen (mladica), a large freshwater fish related to salmon that is endemic to Dinaric rivers. A meal of fresh Una fish with local bread and salad costs 20-35 BAM.
Visiting the Una canyon: broader context
Štrbački Buk is the dramatic anchor, but the canyon between Martin Brod and Bihać holds much more:
- Buk waterfall at Martin Brod: a second, smaller waterfall immediately adjacent to the village, visible from the road
- Ostrovica fortress ruins: above the village, accessible by a short steep path
- Klokot springs: near Bihać, where large karst springs emerge from the base of cliffs and feed the Una — among the largest spring systems in the western Balkans
- Una canyon walls: visible on the rafting route, the canyon walls reach 30-50m in places and support nesting peregrine falcons and eagle owls
Practical notes
- No entrance fee for the waterfall itself; Una National Park day fee applies (5-10 BAM) if you enter the official park zone
- The road to Martin Brod is passable with a standard car in dry conditions; a 4WD is useful in early spring after rain
- Mobile phone coverage: limited in the canyon; download offline maps before visiting
- Best months: May-June (high water, lush forest, moderate temperatures). July-August (lower water but warmer for swimming). April can be cold and the road muddy.
- Nearest petrol: Bihać or Bosanska Krupa (50+ km); fill up before driving to Martin Brod
For the full Una National Park picture — including the easier lower-river rafting and the Bihać base — see the Una National Park guide. For Bosnia’s other great waterfall systems, the Kravice guide and Pliva Jajce guide cover the most accessible alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Štrbački Buk waterfall
How difficult is the hike to Štrbački Buk?
Is swimming allowed at Štrbački Buk?
How is Štrbački Buk different from Kravice Waterfalls?
Can I visit Štrbački Buk on a day trip from Sarajevo?
What is Martin Brod village?
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