Epic Rides
Banja Luka / Bosanska Krajina

Mount Manjača, located southwest of Banja Luka, is a true refuge for nature lovers, peace and active holidays. Spacious pastures, dense forests and fresh mountain air create the perfect setting for escaping the city bustle and recharging batteries. From the peaks of Manjača, breathtaking views open up toward the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges, while through its forested areas lead numerous roads and trails ideal for exploring on two wheels. This mountain offers a blend of wild, untouched nature and complete silence — perfect for resetting mind and body.

The route begins at Lake Manjača, where a wide gravel road leads us toward the village of Radmanići, passing by a small, picturesque lake that lies quietly in the embrace of the surrounding hills. The first climb serves as a gentle warm-up, and then the road continues and brings us to a grove where an old medieval stećci necropolis is located — silent witnesses of past times, overgrown with moss and stories that no one remembers anymore. We continue on a narrow asphalt road that gently climbs between pastures and cultivated fields, through a typical Bosnian mountain village. Riding across the spacious plateau, a view opens to the right toward the peak Grčka gradina — once the border between the Byzantine and Roman empires. According to legend, a Greek princess named Jelena was tasked with resisting the mighty Roman empire with her warlords. When she came out to Grčka gradina and saw the Roman legions approaching, she realised she couldn't stand against them, and according to legend, exclaimed: "Oh, Jelena, Jelena, this morning a snake bit you." And so this entire region got its name — Zmijanje.

We leave Grčka gradina behind, briefly cross the county road and continue toward the village of Stričići, the birthplace of one of the most prominent writers of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Petar Kočić. A narrow asphalt road leads us to his birthplace, today a memorial museum. This modest wooden house, with a roof covered with shingles, is an authentic example of traditional Krajina architecture. The interior evokes the simple but rich life of the Kočić family — with exhibited items such as folk costumes, books and tools from that time. Right here will be the "feed zone" — a place for rest, refreshment and recharging energy for the upcoming climb.

After several kilometres of riding across the plateau, with views of scattered village estates and endless pastures, we arrive at the Lokvari mountaineering lodge. From here, mountaineering trails branch out toward Velika greda — the highest peak of Manjača. And we continue the climb, leaving the asphalt behind and transitioning to a wide gravel road that leads us to a spacious clearing. There we take a narrow, beaten trail that enters the forest. Before us are eight kilometres of riding through true wilderness — untouched forest areas, freshness and silence, occasionally interrupted by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves under the wheels. Leaving the forest, we join a wide asphalt road and for the next four kilometres ride downhill toward the village of Lusići. Although traffic on this section is not heavy, we recommend riding carefully and holding your line, as speed can easily deceive.

In Lusići, just before the old stone church, we turn right off the asphalt, back onto a gravel road. If you make a small detour, it's worth stopping to visit this church — modest, but architecturally interesting and situated in a quiet, almost meditative setting. After the church, we briefly emerge onto the county road whose switchbacks lead back toward the lake. Unlike the previous section, traffic here is somewhat heavier, and the descent is long and winding, so be extra cautious — it's easy to surrender to speed. After three kilometres we turn left, onto a narrow gravel that gently takes us back down to the lake, past another small church. There awaits your well-deserved rest, relaxation and refreshment with food and drinks — the perfect conclusion to this diverse and inspiring cycling tour.