Snapshot itinerary
| Day | Overnight | Km driven | Core stops |
| 1 | Jajce | 72 km | Vrbas canyon, Pliva Waterfall & fortress |
| 2 | Bihać | 120 km | Pliva Lakes, Una National Park – Štrbački Buk |
| 3 | Plitvice (HR) | 70 km | Croatian border, Plitvice late-day circuit |
| 4 | Zadar coast (HR) | 135 km | Krka National Park quick loop, sunset in Zadar |
| 5 | Livno | 160 km | Pag cheese detour, Dinara foothills |
| 6 | Blidinje NP | 97 km | Wild horses of Cincar plateau, Blidinje Lake |
| 7 | Banja Luka | 215 km | Jablanica Museum, Konjic old bridge, quick A1 back |
Total loop: ≈ 870 km Fuel cost (diesel July 2025): €105 in a Compact (5.8 l/100 km)
Pre-trip logistics
- Car: Compact diesel or SUV if you want Pag’s gravel shortcut (see Day 4).
- Docs: Passport, driving licence, digital Green Card (print for two EU crossings).
- Cash: BAM 300 + €150 covers fuel where cards glitch and the Croatian toll.
- SIM: BH Mobile 20 GB (€10) if you plan remote work uploads—works on HR roaming.
Day-by-day playbook
Day 1 Banja Luka → Jajce (72 km)
- Depart 09:00; coffee stop at Vrbas canyon viewpoint (km 28, wide lay-by).
- Pliva Waterfall ticket booth takes card now (KM 10). Best photo from wooden platform on the left bank.
- Check-in Hotel Stari Grad (parking on site, KM 5).
- Sunset climb to Jajce Citadel (ticket QR code, KM 5).
Day 2 Jajce → Bihać via Una National Park (120 km)
- Fill up at Nestro Jezero; last 24-h diesel before the park.
- Enter Una NP at Lohovo gate (tickets KM 20, card accepted).
- Park at Štrbački Buk P1—portaloos only.
- Optional afternoon Class II rafting (Una Aqua Center, KM 95 pp).
- Bihać sleep: Hotel Opal underground garage (KM 7 / night).
Day 3 Bihać → Plitvice (Croatia) (70 km)
- Cross at Izačić / Ličko Petrovo Selo 07:30—rarely a queue.
- Buy Plitvice ticket online (€24) for 15:00 entry—skip morning crowds.
- Walk Program C loop (3.8 km, boat + shuttle).
- Stay Villa Sučić – gated parking, HR €12 / room.
Day 4 Plitvice → Zadar coast (135 km)
- Detour PAG island: turn off E65 at Paski Most bridge (no toll).
- Stock up on Paški sir at Gligora Dairy (€22 / kg).
- Krka NP sprint: buy “Lozovac after 16:00” ticket (€20) – waterfall boardwalk empty by 17:30.
- Check-in Zaton Holiday Resort mobile homes – free EV chargers if you end up with an e-Golf.
Day 5 Zadar → Livno (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (160 km)
- Morning swim at Nin Lagoon (free parking before 09:00).
- Cross back at Kamensko – low wait times.
- Lunch stop in Sinj: Kamičak tavern veal under bell, €14.
- Wild horses viewpoint on Cincar plateau — sunset 19:45 in August, flat gravel but OK for Compact at 40 km/h.
- Overnight Hotel B&M Livno (guarded lot).
Day 6 Livno → Blidinje National Park (97 km)
- Fuel at Hifa station Livno – last TopTier diesel before the park.
- Blidinje Lake picnic; SUP rental at Hajdučke Vrleti lodge (KM 15 / h).
- Hike Vilinska Vrata ridge (4 km loop, 230 m gain).
- Stay Hajdučke Vrleti – authentic stone lodge, cash only.
Day 7 Blidinje → Banja Luka (215 km)
- Breakfast uštipci with alpine honey.
- Stop Jablanica Museum (KM 6) – WWII Neretva bridge story.
- Coffee Konjic old bridge – plenty of riverside parking KM 2 / h.
- Motorway A1 north: exit Zenica jug → M-17 → Banja Luka (3 h).
- Return car: full tank at Nestro Mahovljani 1 km before airport.
Budget snapshot (per person, 2 travellers, Compact diesel)
| Category | Cost (BAM) | Cost (EUR) |
| Fuel & tolls | 205 | 105 |
| Hotels (3★ avg) | 1 000 | 510 |
| Food & coffee | 520 | 265 |
| National Park fees | 280 | 140 |
| Activities (rafting, SUP) | 290 | 150 |
| Total per person | 1 645 BAM | €840 |
Quick risk & gear checklist
- Green Card PDF saved offline (HR border Wi-Fi can lag).
- Charging cable adaptor Type 2 if renting our e-Golf.
- Reflective vest outside trunk.
- Roaming data cap off – crossing HR ↔ Bosnia and Herzegovina resets fair-use.
- Cash: BAM 100 small notes (rural fuel, BLIDINJE lodge).
Car-ready?
Lock in a TotalCover Compact for €29 / day – zero excess, free child seat or Wi-Fi, and a fully-loaded Digital Glovebox with every spot pinned.