Seasonal conditions
Snow-free conditions; typically late spring to early autumn, with the forest paths slippery after rain.
ROUTE
Mrakovica–Žečji Kamen Loop
A moderate forest and ridge loop in Kozara National Park from Mrakovica past the Kozara memorial to the Žečji Kamen high ground and back, combining history, forest paths and ridge views.
hiking8 km2.6 hmoderate
elektronak / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
ABOUT THIS ROUTE
The route in detail
The Mrakovica–Žečji Kamen Loop is a moderate walking day in Kozara National Park, the forested mountain park of northwest Bosnia. It begins and ends at the Mrakovica area, home to the Kozara memorial, and climbs to the Žečji Kamen high ground — one of the higher points of the park — before returning through the forest. The route pairs the historical weight of the memorial with the quiet of Kozara’s mixed forest, streams and ridge views, and it is a shorter, lower mountain day than the high-country routes of central Bosnia. The technical rating is moderate rather than low because of the uneven and rocky ground on the Žečji Kamen section, and the forest paths can be muddy and slippery after rain.
The loop sets out from the Mrakovica area, where the Kozara memorial stands, and climbs through the forest of the national park toward the Žečji Kamen high ground. The memorial marks the site of the Kozara offensive of 1942 and is the historical anchor of the walk; the climb beyond it reaches the ridge and the higher ground of Žečji Kamen, with views over the wooded park from the open sections. The return follows established forest paths back to the Mrakovica starting area, closing the circuit. The day is a moderate undertaking: steady but not extreme climbing, forest terrain that is uneven in places and rocky on the Žečji Kamen section, and ground that changes sharply with the weather. The stated duration is typical rather than guaranteed.
PLAN RESPONSIBLY
Season & safety
Key hazards
- Uneven and rocky ground on the Žečji Kamen section requires careful footing.
- Forest paths can be muddy, wet and slippery after rain.
- The route is shared with other park visitors, cyclists and families.
- Mobile coverage and immediate assistance cannot be relied upon throughout the forest.
Required gear
- Hiking footwear with reliable grip on wet and rocky surfaces.
- Weather-appropriate clothing and a waterproof layer.
- Drinking water, sun protection and food.
- Offline navigation, a charged phone and a basic first-aid kit.
Check before you go
- Check the Kozara forecast, recent rainfall and trail-surface conditions.
- Confirm current national-park access and any trail notices.
- Allow enough daylight for the complete 7.82 km loop.
- Check for ticks in the warmer season and use appropriate protection.
Local guidance
Stay on marked park trails, follow any park notices and respect the memorial site. The technical rating is moderate because of the rocky Žečji Kamen ground; visitors unsure of the conditions should use current local guidance.
WAYPOINTS
Route points
- 01
Mrakovica trailhead
start
- 02
Kozara Memorial
waypoint
- 03
Mrakovica trailhead
end
MAP & ROUTE
On the atlas
ATTRACTIONS
Sights on the way
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Mrakovica & Kozara Monument
The central memorial complex of the park on the heights of Mrakovica, dominated by Dušan Džamonja’s concrete monument commemorating the fighters and civilians connected with the 1942 Kozara offensive and its consequences — one of the most powerful WWII memorials in the region.
Kozara National Park
Kozara Forest & Streams
The beech and fir forest, clear streams and meadows that cover the mountain — the habitat of the park’s deer, wild boar and birdlife, threaded by hiking and cycling trails.
Kozara National Park
INTERESTS
Why riders & travellers love it
WEATHER
Weather along the route
Forecast data from Open-Meteo. Updated regularly.
STORIES
From the magazine
NEARBY
Explore nearby
REGIONS
Explore the region
KEEP EXPLORING
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