Bosnia and Herzegovina Safety: Marked Paths, Winter Roads

Stay on marked paths: the rule for the countryside

Some rural and mountain areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina are still recorded as suspected mine areas. The rule that keeps walkers safe is simple and absolute: stay on paved roads and marked trails, and never step past a warning sign.

The country's Mine Action Centre maps the recorded suspected areas, and its own mobile app puts them on a phone screen, which makes it worth installing before any hike. For walks away from the well-trodden routes, go with a local guide who knows the ground, and check your own government's current travel advice for the regions it names.

Mountains and winter roads

Much of the country is mountainous, and in winter conditions outside the main towns can worsen quickly. Drivers should follow the winter driving rules: winter tyres, snow chains carried and fitted wherever signs require, and extra time on mountain passes. On foot, the same weather turns a summer path into a serious route, so check the forecast before heading into the hills.

Everyday precautions and emergency numbers

Petty theft happens in busy places, as in any city, so the usual care with bags and phones in crowded parts of Sarajevo and Mostar is enough. Carry your passport or an official photo ID at all times, since you may be asked to show it, and make sure your passport is stamped on entry, because border police check the stamps when you leave.

The emergency numbers are 122 for the police, 123 for the fire service and 124 for an ambulance. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment is a sensible baseline for any trip, and essential for skiing or hiking.