National park · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Una National ParkNacionalni park Una
Give Una two nights: Štrbački buk falls and the Martin Brod cascades in May–September, when water is high and the Bihać–Bosanska Otoka weekend train runs; skip it in a one-week Bosnia trip.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
198 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (198 km²)
approximate
Established
2008
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Bosnia and Herzegovina is outside the EU and Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Do not leave paved roads or marked trails in rural areas, and never enter damaged or abandoned buildings: landmine risk remains in places.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Coastal Croatia and Montenegro connect by bus; allow extra time for border queues in summer.
At a glance
- Country
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Area
- 198 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (198 km²)
- About 198 km² along the Una and its tributaries; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2008
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Una National Park protects the clearest big river in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a chain of tufa barriers, cascades and green pools along the Una and its Unac tributary in the north-west corner of the country, near Bihać. The headline sights are Štrbački buk, a 25 m fall straddling the Croatia–Bosnia border with three lookouts on a short trail, and the mill village of Martin Brod, where the Unac joins the Una in a run of small falls. Kulen Vakuf is the largest settlement inside the park and the base for rafting, beds and food. The park is the country's largest by area and the Martin Brod–Una falls area has sat on the UNESCO tentative list since 2019. It is a slow two-night stop reached by car or by a twice-daily weekend train from Bihać, not a quick detour from Sarajevo or Mostar.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteBosnia and Herzegovina's largest national park by area; the Martin Brod–Una falls area has been on the UNESCO tentative list since 2019 (check).
Size and age
198 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (198 km²) · national park since 2008
About 198 km² along the Una and its tributaries; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The Una is the clearest big river in the country: green water, tufa barriers and falls you can walk right up to.
- Štrbački buk drops 25 m across the Croatia–Bosnia border, with three lookouts on a short trail.
- A twice-daily weekend train from Bihać runs along the river through the park for about 2 KM.
- Rafting, kayaking and swimming in water that stays cold even in August.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, wet, short days; some access roads icy
- FebCold and grey; little open
- MarSnowmelt raises the river; paths muddy
- AprHigh water, few visitors; some facilities still shut
- MayFull falls, green valley, mild days
- JunWarm, long days; rafting at its best
- JulHot; go early, swim midday
- AugWarmest and busiest; book beds ahead
- SepWarm water, quiet weekdays, clear light
- OctAutumn colour; cool nights, fewer services
- NovRain; many places close for winter
- DecCold; falls still run but access is limited
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown trout and grayling in the UnaApr–Sep · The river is known for clean, cold water; fishing needs a licence. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Otter and beaver signs along the banksApr–Oct · Dawn and dusk, quiet stretches away from the main falls. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds of prey over the canyonApr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the valley slopesApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bihać
Drive south-east on the M-5, then the local road to Kulen Vakuf and Martin Brod.
40–60 min
From Bihać by train
Weekend train along the Una to Bosanska Otoka, stopping inside the park; 2 KM.
about 1 h
From Sarajevo
Bus or car via Jajce and Bihać; the last stretch is slow mountain road.
5–7 h
Open the page →
From Zagreb or Split
Cross into Bosnia at the north-west border and reach Bihać first.
3–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Štrbački buk | The 25 m main fall on the Croatia–Bosnia border, with three lookouts. | Ticket at the entrance; short walk from the unsealed road. |
| Martin Brod | A cluster of cascades and old mills where the Unac meets the Una. | Ticket; village paths and a picnic and camping area. |
| Kulen Vakuf | The largest settlement in the park, with a fortified old core and river beaches. | Open; food, beds and rafting bases. |
| Lohovo and Orašac | Quieter stretches of the upper Una with springs and small settlements. | Open; drive and walk. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Una from Lohovo down to Martin Brod, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day ticket) | BAM 5–10 | person | 2026 estimate; charged at the main entrances such as Štrbački buk and Martin Brod (check). |
| Camping at Lučica, near Martin Brod | BAM 30 | person per night | Children under 7 free; one vehicle or trailer per person allowed. |
| Rafting trip on the Una | BAM 40–80 | person | 2026 estimate; half-day to full-day, gear included (check). |
| Weekend train Bihać–Bosanska Otoka | BAM 2 | person one way | Runs twice daily at weekends; leaves Bihać 09:00 and 16:00, returns 11:45 and 18:20 (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Rafting or kayaking permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BAM 5–10
- BAM 30
- BAM 40–80
- BAM 2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Una National Park — official site before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked paths at the falls
- The tufa barriers and wet boards are fragile and slippery; barriers are there for a reason.
- No litter or fires
- Carry everything out; open fires are not allowed in the park.
- Swimming
- Allowed at recognised beaches and picnic areas; not near the falls or in rafting sections.
- Drones
- Permission is needed from the park management; the border zone at Štrbački buk is sensitive (check).check
- Border area
- Štrbački buk sits on the Croatia–Bosnia line; carry your passport or ID.
Where to stay
In the park
Kulen Vakuf guesthouses and rooms
The main base inside the park: simple rooms, restaurants and rafting operators.
In the park
Lučica camping area, Martin Brod
The park's main campsite, a few hundred metres north of the village; 30 KM per person per night.
Near the park
Bihać
The largest town in the area, 40–60 min from the falls, with hotels and buses.
Safety
Cold, fast water medium
Slippery tufa and boardwalks medium
Remote roads and patchy phone signal low
Landmines low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Štrbački buk and Martin Brod both have short walks from parking, but the ground is uneven and the lookouts are reached by steps or boardwalk.
- Kulen Vakuf's riverside and village streets are mostly level and can be managed with a car and short walks.
- The weekend train is the easiest step-free way to see the river valley.
Visiting lightly
- Buy entry tickets at staffed entrances so the fee supports path and barrier maintenance.
- Use licensed rafting operators; they know the permitted launch points and carry safety gear.
- Sleep and eat in Kulen Vakuf or Martin Brod so the villages around the park keep the income.
- Take rubbish back to Bihać or your guesthouse; bins inside the park are limited.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Una National Park?
A day ticket is roughly 5–10 KM (about US$3–6) per person in 2026, paid at the entrance where you arrive, such as Štrbački buk or Martin Brod. Camping at Lučica near Martin Brod is 30 KM per person per night, with children under 7 free. Check current prices at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Una National Park?
Most visits are short walks rather than long hikes. The 400 m trail to the three Štrbački buk lookouts is the headline one, and the village paths at Martin Brod past the mills and the Unac confluence take 1–2 hours. Longer valley and ridge routes exist around Kulen Vakuf and Lohovo but are not consistently marked, so ask locally before setting out.
When is the best time to visit Una National Park?
May, June and September. Water is high and the falls are at their best in May and early June, rafting works well into summer, and September gives warm water with quieter weekdays. July and August are hot and busy; winter access is limited and many places close.
Can you get to Una National Park without a car?
Partly. A weekend train runs twice daily from Bihać to Bosanska Otoka through the park for about 2 KM, leaving Bihać at 09:00 and 16:00 and returning at 11:45 and 18:20. It gets you into the valley but not to Štrbački buk, so most travellers use a car, taxi or an organised tour for the falls.
Is Una National Park worth visiting?
Yes if you have two spare nights and are already in the north-west, or are crossing between Croatia and central Bosnia. It is not a substitute for Sarajevo or Mostar on a first one-week trip; the drive is long and the park rewards slow days rather than a quick stop.
Can you swim in the Una?
Yes, at recognised beaches and picnic areas such as Kulen Vakuf. The water is cold even in August, and swimming is not allowed near the falls or in the rafting sections.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go