There are few places where wild rivers, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, a primeval forest and the highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina are all a short drive apart. Foca is one of them, and this is where we live.
Some come to fish the Drina, others to raft the Tara, and most leave with a plan to come back for five more things. You don't need to know where the rafting starts, how high the river is or which road leads to Durmitor. That's our job. Just tell us what you're into.
Foca sits on two rivers: the Drina runs through town, and the Cehotina joins it right here. Upstream, at Scepan Polje, the Tara and the Piva meet and become the Drina. The Foca fishing area covers the Drina, Tara, Piva, Cehotina, Sutjeska and Bistrica.
The wide Drina with its strong currents, the clear and fast Tara, and the Cehotina for days when the big rivers are high or coloured: each water has its own character. Brown trout, grayling and huchen are why anglers travel here from all over Europe.
We follow the levels of the Drina and Cehotina and keep an eye on releases from the Piva hydro dam, so we can help you pick the right water and the right time. If you'd like to fish with a local guide, we'll set up a day that fits your experience and the conditions on the river.
You don't have to guess where to cast a fly or a lure. That's what we're here for.
Guided fishingThe Tara is known for one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. Sheer walls, cold water and big rapids make rafting the best-known adventure in the area.
The classic one-day run starts at Brstanovica and ends at Scepan Polje. In very high water, mostly in spring, the start moves downstream to Grab. For more, there are multi-day trips through the whole canyon, with nights by the river, starting at Splaviste near the Djurdjevica Tara bridge.
The rafting camps are upstream of Foca, towards Bastasi and Scepan Polje. No need to call ten camps and compare offers. Tell us your dates and group size, and we'll help you find the right trip with a local operator and tell you what to bring.
You choose the adventure, we help with the rest.
Rafting the TaraAbout half an hour from Foca lies Sutjeska National Park, founded in 1962 and the oldest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inside it is Perucica, one of the last primeval forests in Europe, and the Skakavac waterfall, about 75 metres high, which you can see from the viewpoints above the forest.
At Tjentiste stands a memorial complex to the Battle of Sutjeska, so a visit here combines nature and history.
Sutjeska deserves more than a quick stop. You can spend a whole day on its viewpoints, by the river or exploring the area. If you want something more active, canyoning on the Hrcavka is a great addition.
We'll help you decide what's worth seeing, in which order and how much time to leave for each. For canyoning, we can put you in touch with a local operator and help you arrange it.
Sutjeska National ParkAt 2,386 metres, Maglic is the highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its steep slopes and mountain views draw anyone looking for a real challenge, and Trnovacko Lake, right below the massif, is the reward for a day in the mountains without climbing to the top.
Prijevor is one of the starting points for Maglic and Trnovacko Lake. From Foca it's about an hour and a half to an hour and 45 minutes, depending on the road.
Climbing Maglic takes fitness, proper gear and planning. Even the walk to Trnovacko Lake is more than a stroll, so pick the right route and allow enough time.
Ask us about the road to Prijevor and the trails for your dates, and you'll know what fits into your stay.
Maglic and Trnovacko LakeThe Hrcavka, a tributary of the Sutjeska, has cut a narrow canyon through the rocks of the national park. Here you don't watch nature from a trail: you move through the canyon along the riverbed itself.
Canyoning means walking through water and over rocks and, depending on the trip, jumps and descents with the right gear. It's always done with a guide, with the route chosen for the river conditions and the group.
If you'd like to add it to a day in Sutjeska, tell us how many of you are coming and when. We'll help you arrange the right trip with a local operator.
If you'd rather spend a day on the road than on the water or a trail, the Durmitor Ring is worth planning for.
From Foca the route crosses Scepan Polje and follows the Piva canyon to Pluzine, then climbs through hairpins and tunnels to Trsa, over the Sedlo pass at about 1,907 metres to Zabljak. The way back goes over Mala Crna Gora and the viewpoint above the Susica canyon.
Canyons, mountain villages, lakes and views of the Durmitor massif follow one after another, so drive it slowly and leave time to stop, take photos and stretch your legs.
Plan a full day, roughly 9 to 10 hours with stops, for about 220 kilometres.
A few tips from us, since we've driven it:
We'll send you the route in Google Maps and tell you where it's worth stopping, so you get the most out of the day.
Foca is a great base for this part of the Dinaric Alps. Some places are half an hour away, others take a full day and a bit more planning.
| Destination | Approx. driving time from Foca |
|---|---|
| Tjentiste, Sutjeska National Park | about 30 min |
| Bastasi, rafting camps | about 35 min |
| Scepan Polje | about 50 min |
| Brstanovica, rafting start | about 1 h – 1 h 20 min |
| Prijevor, start for Maglic and Trnovacko Lake | about 1 h 30 min – 1 h 45 min |
| Pluzine and Piva Lake | about 1 h 30 min |
| Durmitor Ring | full-day trip |
Times are approximate and depend on the road, the weather and the wait at the border. Not sure about the road that day? Ask us.
See the adventure mapPick what you came for: fishing the Drina, rafting the Tara or a day in Sutjeska National Park.
Spend the first day rafting or fishing and the second in Sutjeska and Perucica. If time and conditions allow, add canyoning on the Hrcavka or an evening on the river.
Now there's time for Maglic and Trnovacko Lake, or a whole day on the Durmitor Ring. You'll see every side of this region, from rivers and canyons to high mountains.
You don't need a detailed plan. Tell us how many of you are coming, how long you're staying and what you enjoy most. We'll suggest a programme that fits your activities, distances and time.
Tell us what you're into. We'll help you plan the rest.
We run guided fishing trips and help you plan your stay in Foca. For rafting, canyoning and other activities we put you in touch with local operators, arrange the details based on availability and put together a programme for your whole stay, from the first day to the drive home.
For trips across the border into Montenegro, bring your passport or an ID card, depending on your citizenship. You'll need it for rafting too. Not sure what applies to you? Ask us.
It depends on what you want to do. Spring usually brings higher water and bigger rapids on the Tara, and rafting conditions change through the season. Hiking and the drive over the Sedlo pass depend on the weather and the roads. Send us your dates and interests, and we'll help you work out what makes the most sense at that time.
Of course. On a weekend you can pair rafting with Sutjeska, and a longer stay leaves room for fishing, canyoning, Maglic, Trnovacko Lake or the Durmitor Ring. We'll put together a plan based on your days, your group and what you want to experience.