Hajdučka Vrata

It is the most amazing rock formation in the country. The Hajduk Gate (Hajdučka Vrata) is a stone ring about 5 m in diameter located at an altitude of 2,000 m in the Čvrsnica massif and overlooking the Diva Grabovica canyon. The site is absolutely beautiful, conducive to beautiful photos and only accessible on foot. Also known as Mijat's Passage (Mijatov Prolaz), this natural formation is named after the haiduk (outlaw) Mijat Tomić who defied the Ottomans in the 17th century. It is a popular belief that anyone who passes through the Haiduk Gate is then protected from gunfire. But in recent years, the nature park authorities have launched a campaign to discourage visitors from climbing the ring in order to preserve it. To get there, a marked trail begins near Mount Vitlenica, at 1,470 m above sea level, and the hike takes 6 hours with a climb of about 650 m. The information center of the Blidinje Nature Park can provide details of the route and also offers the excursion among its usual guided tours. Some tourist agencies in Mostar, Konjic and Jablanica also have the Haiduk Gate in their program. Finally, note that if this rock formation is rare, it is not the only one in the Balkans. In Bulgaria, the nature park of Sinité Kamani ("Blue Rocks") is home to a similar pierced rock called Halkata ("ring"), which is also associated, according to local tradition, with the haiduk movement of the 19th century.