Rakitnica ( sr-cyrl, Ракитница) is the main tributary of the first section of the

Neretva The Neretva ( sr-cyrl, Неретва, ), also known as Narenta, is one of the largest rivers of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. Four HE power-plants with large dams (higher than 150,5 metres) provide flood protection, power and water ...

river, also called Upper Neretva ''( bs, Gornja Neretva)''. It meets Neretva from the right, flowing from north to south, between

Bjelašnica Bjelašnica ( sr-cyrl, Бјелашница, ) is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is to the southwest of Sarajevo, bordering Mount Igman. Bjelašnica's tallest peak, by which the mountain group got its name, rises to an elevation ...

and Visočica mountains.

Geography

The Rakitnica river begins as Crna Rijeka ''(English = Black River)'' from "Zucina Vrela" ''(English = "Zuco's Wellsprings")'' that emerges in the areal above Rakitnica village under the northwestern ridge of Treskavica mountain, and after a short run, cca. 2 kilometers, and confluence with Glibovac creek it becomes Rakitnica. The Rakitnica river forms a 26 km long canyon, on its 33 km long stretch, carved between

and Visočica, southeast from

Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see names in other languages'') is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its administrative limits. The Sarajevo metropolitan area including Sarajev ...

. There is a hiking trail along the ridge of the Rakitnica canyon, all the way to famous village of Lukomir. The village, inhabited by

Bosniak The Bosniaks ( bs, Bošnjaci, Cyrillic script, Cyrillic: Бошњаци, ; , ) are a South Slavs, South Slavic ethnic group native to the Southeast European historical region of Bosnia (region), Bosnia, which is today part of Bosnia and Herzeg ...

s, is the only remaining semi-nomadic traditional mountain village in

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and ...

. At almost 1,500m, Lukomir, with its unique stone homes with cherry-wo