NATURAL GEOGRAPHICAL TOURISM ATTRACTIONS OF PRENJ MOUNTAIN
Emir Temimović, Amra Banda, Haris Jahić, Ševkija Okerić
DOI: 10.35666/25662880.2017.3.181
UDC: 338.483.11(497.6 Prenj)
Abstract: Prenj mountain is located in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the area of the high karst of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Administratively, it belongs to the municipalities of Konjic, Mostar and Jablanica. Geological, geomorphological and biological diversity identify this area as a representative example in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Magnificent landscapes, exceptional relief characteristics, specific karst areas, glaciation marks, marked hiking trails, excursion sites, numerous endemic species, etc. present potential tourist attractions for the development of mountain, alpinistic and excursion tourism, as well as the stay of scientific expeditions and field research. Along with the favorable traffic-geographical position and the richness of tourist attractions, Prenj has been recently established as a tourist destination, of mainly adventurous tourism, and in 2012 this mountain was chosen as the best destination for mountain biking according to National Geographic. Bike park Prenj consist of 360 km of mapped and field- marked forest and uncategorized trails intended primarily for cycling but also for other types of recreation and sports. Via Dinarica, an adventure and hiking path that connects tourist attractions in seven countries (through which the mountain range of the Dinaric Alps stretches from Slovenia to Albania), has also contributed to the development of this tourism type. The White Trail (Bijela staza) represents the main path that stretches along the entire length of the Via Dinarica and links the mountains of Prenj and Čvrsnica in the research area. This paper presents geographical analysis of the natural segment of Prenj mountain tourism attraction base and gives a brief overview of tourism development from the aspect of adventure tourism.
Key words: Prenj, tourist attractions, natural geographical sights, mountain tourism, adventure tourism, Via Dinarica.